What would you do??
- Thread starter mjbickford
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This assumes the diver wants instruction and nuturing.
Its an interesting guestion since we saw something somewhat related on our last Florida trip. A single female diver, and I gave her kudos for being on the boat solo, not at all known for their concierge service
, on a day with few other divers onboard because of the "sporty seas." We were amazed and incredulous however when we saw her predive routine. She mostly sat and did nothing, not even socializing, expecting the crew to do it all for her. And its not just that she didn't know her gear. She just refused to deal with it, at all. Fortunately as I said, it was a slow day for the boat and there were two crew members so they basically ended up babysitting her both on the boat and diving. To me the last straw was when at the end of the day and the crew asked the divers to unload their gear first then they would get the tanks she anounced she had to sit and have a cigarette first! :shocked2: I hope she left that crew a really big tip but somehow I doubt it.
AdivingBel
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A lot of good replies, this one IMO maybe the best (again, assuming the laughing part is sarcastic). Definitely alert the DM (all boats I go on have always had a DM) &/or Captain. Be nice. Offer some advice on gear set up, but agree I would not touch his stuff (lawsuit for me?--maybe even if I weren't a DM). I would think it is difficult if not impossible for a dive op to know someone doesn't know how to set it up--what would they do, ask each customer to assemble some gear in the shop beforehand? Then for the dives, I would of course assume I'm diving solo, and of course keep a close eye on him (while still hunting for my shells...). Opting out of the dive and going for a beer not in the picture after I drove all that way to get onto maybe the one or 2 boats that go out in winter on the N. Gulf of Mex.
Dhboner
Contributor
I guess it's more of a Caribbean thing...here in Ontario, Canada if you were on a charter and could not rig up your gear by yourself, depending on the depth, you may be asked to sit out the dive. You might get a refund...but you would be directed to take a refresher course and come back another day.
halocline
Contributor
I'd probably nicely mind my own business, nicely offer to help if it seemed that's what the guy was looking for, and enjoy the dive. I'd much rather be on a boat with a nice person who can't remember how to assemble his gear than a jerk who knows everything and can't wait to tell me. That sort of interaction is what scubaboard is for!
DevonDiver
N/A
I'm a full-time instructor.... so if I'm on (a rare) vacation, I consider it "me time". I want to relax and enjoy diving, not fall back into my professional role.
I'd pass the matter to someone who was being paid to deal with it. I'd dive with someone competent that wouldn't require my professional support and supervision, or in any way degrade my enjoyment of the dive.... I'd dive solo if that were the only solution.
I'd pass the matter to someone who was being paid to deal with it. I'd dive with someone competent that wouldn't require my professional support and supervision, or in any way degrade my enjoyment of the dive.... I'd dive solo if that were the only solution.
I don't often travel to dive, so I would hate to miss out on any planned dives, but my non-diving wife has sworn that she'll kill me if I do something stupid and get myself killed while diving
I do dive some while traveling. My rule is that if I would not mind a less experienced buddy on that dive so be it. I take what comes. I hsve boarded many boats with no prearranged buddy (like a reef dive in the Keys). If the dive is important to me or a more challenging dive I do not instabuddy. I hire a private DM so that I can enjoy that special experience and get my full dive in.
Oh the curse of being a DM. When I travel I not only take my DM C-card, but I make sure to pack my AOW C-card as well. I usually check in using my lesser card, as I am on vacation and don't want to babysit an inexperienced diver when I don't have to. That said, there is a lot to be said about the person's attitude. Being an arrogant A** will get you nowhere with me, but if the person is humble and wants my help, the curse of being a DM often intervenes, and I wind up helping them get their "sea legs" back. It may be just help assembling equipment, it may be observing them during the dive (after informing the boat's DM of my "secret identity" and getting their input on the matter) and it might even be buddying up with them for a dive or two.
I know I'm not alone in doing this, there are other good samaritan DMs who will sacrifice a bit of vacation to help somebody out. Remember, you were once the newbie, or maybe were inactive for a spell yourself. Attitude is key though. If you want some help, act like an adult and not a petulant child.
I know I'm not alone in doing this, there are other good samaritan DMs who will sacrifice a bit of vacation to help somebody out. Remember, you were once the newbie, or maybe were inactive for a spell yourself. Attitude is key though. If you want some help, act like an adult and not a petulant child.
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