Scuba Knife, Scuba Shears, Dive Gloves in Cozumel???

[cicopo]

I've done about 140 tanks in Coz, and almost every one of those was within the park boundary's and so far haven't seen a single reason to bring my knife, nor any other cutting device. I haven't needed gloves either, but don't need a wetsuit because I find the water warm, but I can see where other could find it cold relative to my thinking, so could see a need for glove by some. For me the park rules are my rules, no issues. and I respect them no matter whether I get hurt by not having gloves or touching fire coral, period.

 

[Tigerman]

What kinds of things do people do with dive knives that result in them being banned anyway?

Ive heard that anchoring yourself with your knife is a nice way to stay at the same spot in a current without fighting it. Dont think THAT would go down too well if it was done on a reef..

 

[driftin' by]

No one has ever told me to pull my knife before a dive. Who enforces this?

My knife sheath is attached to my BC and I'm always questioned by a DM, Captain or Crew then I show them there is actually no knife inside of it. I take my knife but it stays in the room or locker as it comes in handy as a tool sometimes.

My wife was taking her first Salt water, first boat and first drift dives in Cancun.
She was still having minor buoyancy issues. (still does) The discussion was short I said to the DM, that either she could be responsible for keeping my wife and the reef safe or I could. But I wanted to wear gloves if it was my responsibility. Seems the gloves are a suggestion and not a hard fast rule. The fact is they are trying to protect the reef and the animals from ignorant tourists. Even thought you may be doing swim throughts the idea is not to touch.

IIRC Cancun is outside of the marine park associated with Cozumel where I've come to know that knives and gloves are not allowed among other rules and regulations. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I agree there are many other ways to stabalize or anchor yourself without a knife and it usually doesn't take much more than one or two fingers but placement is absolutly critical.

Regardless whether or not someone enforces the rules, if you know what they are, it's your responsibility to be good stewards of the marine park by not only following them but also setting an example for newer, more impressionable divers.

 

[BTravlin]

Ive heard that anchoring yourself with your knife is a nice way to stay at the same spot in a current without fighting it. Dont think THAT would go down too well if it was done on a reef..

I've been to Coz three times before and have always taken my knife. I didn't realize it was against the rules and no one ever questioned me about it but then I never took it out of the sheath either. It's a short blunt tip that attaches on the outside of my BC pocket and is there for emergencies only. I wouldn't dream of jamming it into the reef to anchor myself. Guess I'll leave it behind when I head down to Coz next week.

 

[ggunn]

These are national park prohibitions, and dive ops are expected to respect them. Enforcement is ultimately up to the national park folks (which is hard to do) but there is an expectation that divemasters will also direct their divers accordingly. You may wish to direct this question to your dive op to ascertain how they expect their divers to comply with national park rules.

There is some selective enforcement exercised. If you wear gloves but the op knows you to be a conscientious diver with good buoyancy skills, for example, they might let you slide on the reg. If you flail your arms about a lot or grab the reef, then they'll likely make you leave the gloves on the boat and the regs empower them to do that.

The goal is to protect the reef; it's not a dress code. ;^)

 

[tridacna]

These are national park prohibitions, and dive ops are expected to respect them. Enforcement is ultimately up to the national park folks (which is hard to do) but there is an expectation that divemasters will also direct their divers accordingly. You may wish to direct this question to your dive op to ascertain how they expect their divers to comply with national park rules.

So this is a reef protection issue? This is such a BS rule.

Here's what they should regulate instead: Divers who don't tie off their SPGs, computers, octos and dangling cameras. These morons float above the reef destroying corals, sponges and almost everything else in their wake. I've seen this so many times, it's sick. And what makes it worse is that often the gear is rented out by those same sanctimonious folks who tell everyone not to carry a knife.

How about regulating morons who can't control their initial descent and go crashing into whatever is below the boat. And then fin violently away from the debris.

I've been diving for a long time. I have never yet seen a diver use their knife as an anchor in the sand. What an absolutely BS rule.

 

[daniel1948]

I recently got back from Cozumel. The DM told us not to wear gloves. I told him I need them to keep my hands warm as I have poor circulation in my extremities. I promised that I would not touch anything, and he let me wear them. I had the same conversation, with the same outcome, with each different DM.

Once, a DM asked me, by signs, to hold onto an outcropping to steady myself for a picture. I refused. I really touch nothing other than (occasionally) sandy bottom.

I also wear socks inside my fins to help keep my feet warm. Hiking, I have to wear wool gloves when other hikers are bare handed.

 

[driftin' by]

And what makes it worse is that often the gear is rented out by those same sanctimonious folks who tell everyone not to carry a knife.

That's fine... you can call me sanctimonious but I don't rent gear nor do I damage the reef.

Banning knives isn't gonna make poor divers any better. One time I witnessed a diver use a piece of pipe to prod fish out of their homes. Rules will never prevent stupidity or keep spg's and octos tied off but good experienced diver's can lead by example by helping new or moronic divers keep their gear off the reef and follow the rules.

 

[Scubasteve1982]

The reason I own warm water gloves is for safety. I never intend to touch anything underwater. I like wearing them in case of emergency. I understand they are frowned upon in Cozumel and had no problems not wearing gloves for 12 dives. But I think the real problem is the divers not the gloves.

 

[Tigerman]

I've been to Coz three times before and have always taken my knife. I didn't realize it was against the rules and no one ever questioned me about it but then I never took it out of the sheath either. It's a short blunt tip that attaches on the outside of my BC pocket and is there for emergencies only. I wouldn't dream of jamming it into the reef to anchor myself. Guess I'll leave it behind when I head down to Coz next week.

Nor would I but im sure theres idiots who would