No gloves or knives in the park, AND No pocket or belt knives in public

[DandyDon]

It's been interesting to see all the banter on two of these subjects. Last month I asked a lady who was visiting there is she didn't know that knives were prohibited in the park and she called me "Scuba Police" so I quit there - but the rules are the rules. No DM is likely to tell you that you aren't supposed to carry a knife or wear gloves in the park, but those are the rules. Besides, with no fishing in the park, why carry a knife? I've never seen any line in any of my dives.

So, if no DM is likely to tell you that you aren't supposed to carry a knife or wear gloves in the park, why worry? Ever see the Park Rangers? I've not known of anyone getting busted, but they do hush-hush a lot there. It could happen.

And while we're at it, in case no one every told you, as no one ever did me - pocket knives are unlawful in Mexico. Hell, I used to wear a belt knife to town. No one ever told me I shouldn't but it could have been bad had something happened and I was remotely involved, or just searched...!

From the US Consulate: Guns are Illegal in Mexico
(I'll omit the part about firearms as everyone knows better right?)

Don’t carry a knife, even a small pocketknife, on your person in Mexico.

If you carry a knife on your person in Mexico, even a pocketknife . . .

* You may be arrested and charged with possession of a deadly weapon;

* You may spend weeks in jail waiting for trial, and tens of thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees, court costs, and fines;

* If convicted, you may be sentenced to up to five years in a Mexican prison.​

Claiming not to know about the law will not get you leniency from a police officer or the judicial system. Leave your firearms, ammunition, and knives at home. Don’t bring them into Mexico.

Well, for those who want to know, there ya go...

I do pack a couple of folding knives, in my luggage, for use in the room.

 

[jjwdiver]

Rain on my parade there Don! I was getting my 9mm ready for some Lion fish hunting.

 

[DandyDon]

I tell ya, I am thinking about taking a carving fork and see if I can get away with that...!

 

[CalgaryDF]

Rain on my parade there Don! I was getting my 9mm ready for some Lion fish hunting.

 

[driftin' by]

gawd! As if we need another thread on this subject but I see where you're coming from Don and I applaud you for posting. Plain and simple: Gloves and knives are not allowed. It's their rules and who are we as visitors to object? If you don't like it, dive elsewhere. As experienced Cozumel divers, it's our responsibility to set a good example.

Also, FWIW my wife used to ALWAYS dive with gloves as she is very susceptible to bad allergic reactions to just about everything including hydroid and thimble jellies. She was told a number of times on the boat not to use her gloves. Recently while putting them on discretely underwater, the DM noticed and told her to take them off. Now she doesn't even bother and like I mentioned in the other post, she realizes that irritations on unprotected skin is just part of the scuba diving game. No biggie, we just follow the rules and have fun.

 

[DandyDon]

Ok, never heard of a DM stopping a diver. Thanks.

I did add: I do pack a couple of folding knives, in my luggage, for use in the room.

 

[driftin' by]

Ok, never heard of a DM stopping a diver. Thanks.

Oh yeah and I know we use the same OP. She was politely told not to do it on the boat and later underwater with very decipherable underwater hand signals. I witnessed it and got the point clearly. Anther reason I <3 our op... they're not afraid to enforce the rules.

 

[MMM]

Besides, with no fishing in the park, why carry a knife? I've never seen any line in any of my dives.

What have you seen outside of the park?

 

[DandyDon]

Oh yeah and I know we use the same OP. She was politely told not to do it on the boat and later underwater with very decipherable underwater hand signals. I witnessed it and got the point clearly. Anther reason I <3 our op... they're not afraid to enforce the rules.

Ok maybe I just never saw anyone try to wear gloves on their boats? I have forgotten to take my knife off of my BC, and lost one once there.

I don't wear a belt knife to town anymore, tho. :shocked2: Or carry a pocket knife.

What have you seen outside of the park?

Oh gawd, all kinds of trash in front of Casa del Mar one year. Not much Wilma close to the sting ray prison tho.

My bud closes his vacuum/sewing machine shop when he goes, but telling people he was scuba diving seemed to cause confusion or something so now he tells them he's going fishing. We found a line & hook diving across the channel once. Got a picture of him holding it; he printed it out to show customers: Went fishing.

 

[LetsDive]

Good Post Don! Plain and simple know the laws of the countries your traveling too and as Josh said follow the rulles of Marine Park it all of ours responsilbility, also do not be afraid to pass those rules on to your boat mates.