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At 8:19 AM -0500 3/3/97, Richard Westlake wrote: >Probably cheeky of me, but I'd like to start this as a new thread. > >We've all of us heard plenty of ranting and raving on "strokes". >We may have all been branded "strokes" by someone, at some time. >I think what might be more important is HOW NOT TO BE A STROKE. Rich, Much of it (perhaps most of it) is ATTITUDE. The "non-stroke" diver is never as good as he wants to be (the stroke in contrast is always self-satisfied). For that reason alone, the non-stroke is ALWAYS working on his technique, reading, learning, asking questions... always trying to be better than he was on the last dive. (notice I didn't say deeper or further necessarily...it's not a contest... just better, technique-wise) Since the stroke is already "great" he has no reason to question his abilities or technique or standards. Since he can't conceive of room for improvement (he's already "great" afterall) the stroke DOESN'T REALIZE HE'S A STROKE! (for that reason the stroke is frozen in time... he'll rarely get any better because he doesn't try to be better) The non-stroke thinks like a professional (though he may not think of himself in quite those terms). There's a certain maturity (irrespective of age) brought to the dive site. (with attitude and technique comes safety) The fact that you even ask the question "how NOT to be a stroke" is a start. It shows that you wish to be a better diver than you are now (at least not any worse <g>) As a newbie, the three greatest words I've learned in diving is "I DON'T KNOW" or "I'M NOT SURE". Then you can ask, and read and learn and practice without any embarassment or recriminations. Someone once said that "ignorance is remediable... but stupidity is terminal!" ....Ever notice how you get a little light-headed when you jump up too quickly on these high soap boxes? Take care. Robb W ==================================== CDR Robert B. Wolov, MC, (FS), USNR Department of Orthopedic Pathology Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Washington, DC 20306-6000 wolov@hi*.co* (preferred) wolov@em*.af*.os*.mi* -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send list subscription requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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