Beginner versus Intermidiate

[NucMed Man]

With 50+ dives (all but 6 are boat dives) , under various conditions (current, surge, small swells, etc.) I am wondering when a person is considered to have moved from beginner to intermidiate? Is it the nimber of dives or experience that determines this? My reason for asking is that the local LDS is putting together a trip to the Cortes Bank and looking online it is recommended for intermidiate. The reasons stated are due to the presence of current and surge. I feel confident that my dive buddy and I are capable of dealinig with those factors but do the number of dives support being considered intermidiate.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by NucMed Man

I am wondering when a person is considered to have moved from beginner to intermidiate?

In my opinion, it's up to you to decide. When you no longer feel like a beginner, you're an intermediate.

Originally Posted by NucMed Man

I feel confident that my dive buddy and I are capable of dealing with those factors but do the number of dives support being considered intermidiate.

It sounds to me like you're up to the challenge.

[chinacat46]

It seems to me you will probably be okay but why don't you ask the LDS sponsoring the trip. Tell them the same thing you've said here. They might have a few additional questions which would make it more clear.

[Vercingetorix]

IMHO, the designation is not number of dives, but on experience in different conditions. For instance, at 41 dives, I am a rant beginner, because 40 of those dives were in a quarry or lake; only one blue-water dive with mild tidal current. If I had 40 in the ripping currents of Cozumel and 100+ feet diving wrecks in frigid waters, then, I might consider myself to be intermediate.

Bottom line: how comfortable are you with the potential conditions presented in the proposed dive?

I think Chinacat46 has the right idea. I signed-up and paid $400 for a Flower Gardens trip. I was at ST about a week before the trip and talking to Joe. After awhile, Joe just looked at me and said, "Rick, I really wish weren't going on this dive." I've done all my training at ST, so they know me and my abilities. Mind you, at the time, a hurricane was also on the way in.

I called-off the dive (losing $400 payment). I spoke to my dive buddy, who did go (he was my former OW instructor), he said everybody on the boat was sick from the incoming storm surge.

[pir8]

You should know when you have passed the beginner stage.

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

If I were you I'd go on the trip. It sounds like you have the right attitude and experience.

[Rileybri]

Originally Posted by BouzoukiJoe

If I were you I'd go on the trip. It sounds like you have the right attitude and experience.

What he said!!

[RikRaeder]

The way we do it here is, go to the Buddist temple. The master holds an o-ring in his hand, and when we can snatch it from him: we're intermediate.
Hope that helps.

I make my decision on whether someone's a beginner or not by their attitude, comfort in the water, and basic skills. If they talk the talk...they're probably a beginner. If they are quietly competant...they are probably not. It seems that you agree with me on one point; different conditions equate to different skills. One could be an expert diver in deep, cold lakes, but a beginner at ripping tropical drifts, or whatever. Trust your feelings, Luke.

[SkuaSeptember]

Good for you for asking! It sounds like you've got some good experience and might be up for building upon it. Having not done the dive myself I googled it. Sounds AWESOME! ...On a good day. Make sure you've got an audible signal as well as an SMB, don't task load if you get out there and it looks challenging, and above all, remember rule #1: Any diver can abort any dive at any time for any reason. Getting out there and not having warm fuzzies about the conditions is reason enough. There is always another day to dive.

[Black-Gorrilla]

I think this was a really well asked question... and i agree with the responses that you are at the level when you see your self at that level. when you can clearly choose the dives you feel comfortable doing, and when you can listen to others who know more when they tell you that a certain dive would be a bad idea (be it because of weather, currents, lack of skills w/e) like Vercingetorix(rick) did when Joe told him not to go... and turns out it was a miserable trip for those that went on it.
You said you did dives in various conditions... how did you feel (comfort level) Before, During, and After those dives?