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As stated above, I have no problem with the DM not being a nanny on any dive, unless they are hired for exactly that reason. As to whether he/she was over tasked, I can't answer that as I don't know the DM, but I would suspect from what I have observed in the Caribbean, they are pretty solid...

My thinking here is that if I can not hand off the pony, once I drop below a certain pressure if there are any questions about the two of us surfacing on that supply, I will switch to the other. We are starting on my backgas because that is how I would prefer in that situation. In this...

I don't think I have ever tipped an instructor, in fact never considered it as teaching is one industry where tipping is not the norm, so it never crossed my mind. I have paid for meals though, but that was more a friend to friend thing as opposed to a instructor/student relationship. I...

I'll second fire divers response. I would hand off the pony and let him go. I have been in one situation where an OOA diver came to me for help, it worked just like in class, however I am not sure all go that smoothly so by slinging the bottle I can get some distance if I need to. I would blow...

Not only can, but must be! At what point will it stop? People are willing, and have already signed off a number of freedoms so that the government will step in and protect us. The truly sad part is we are no safer, from anything, with that mentality. And it costs more money and more freedom this...

As a solo diver, I believe that it is as much, if not more of a mindset than a skillset, and I have yet to find a class in any industry that teaches mindset. I know divers who are more experienced and talented than I, but would not fair well alone, they are people/buddy oriented and that...

THAT is the problem with tipping, in many cases you are paying their salary, and many times things outside the control of worker influences the tip they receive. People tend to tip based on their total experience, but in a restaurant a crappy cook or a busy night or somebody called out sick...

True, tips can be a good motivator for the people who are working for them. I personally have never had a negative experience on a dive boat because of rude staff, on the contrary at times I have spoken up and put unruly customers in their place because the crew was being too nice about things...

I have heard of horror stories with regs, but I have never seen anything myself. I have had sour experience with a wetsuit. Namely, it didn't smell in the shop, but once I peeled it down after the dive it smelled strongly of stale urine, and I didn't pee in it:vomit: I take my own gear most...

I do tip, wait staff, boat crews, etc, but I do not like the idea. If I am already paying for the service, why should I be expected to pay more, but how much is up to me, after the fact? Why not just charge me what you will and pay your people. It works in other countries. Would a boat captain...

Traveling with tanks is just too much of a PITA unless I am going by car. I will say though that all the Caribbean trips I have been on, many ops offer larger tanks online, but plan on them not having any when you get there. Most likely you are going to be limited to AL80's.

I did deep, night, wreck, search and recovery.... I would do a night dive if you have not done one as of yet, if you have then perhaps I would skip it. Search and recovery was a very interesting dive, perhaps the one I learned the most on, and have used the skills I practiced multiple times...

2 things. First, among friends it is quite common to put each other down and no one takes offense. At least in my circle of friends, maybe I have a warped sense of humor for an American. Once you get outside that circle though, it can be seen as an attack, some people ignore them, some can't let...

I have to say, regarding the terms used in this thread, I have not seen the BWOD in quite some time, and the person who springs to my mind on this board as soon as I see poodle jacket is a vintage solo diver...hardly DIR. I have seen and been a part of some pretty gnarley threads involving...

I am fairly indifferent, at least to an extent. I myself will not purchase one, probably ever. I have a few reasons. I was trained, have always used and am already comfortable with my alternate coming under my right shoulder. That method is not broken, so I see no need to tinker with it for...

They did pass the law that all boat drivers need to take and pass a boater safety course in NJ. What good that actually does I am not sure of, since drivers of road vehicles are ignorant of most laws, or just don't care, I fail to see how boat operators will be much different after the class as...

I use my hands in water warm enough for no gloves (which also keeps my from grabbing stuff I probably shouldn't as well). Make a fist with one hand and strike the flat palm of the other hard. It sounds as though you did everything you could but the other diver was completely focused on other...

Here is the NOAA table I use. Commercial airlines are pressurized to about 8000 feet. (3rd column from right, there is a 10k column but it is easy to miss it as they don't line up right) http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/pdfs/AscentToAltitudeTable.pdf If you are doing deep repetitive diving for several...

I am not an instructor so I am not sure where the term "mastery" fits in, but I should think someone like this would be at risk of serious injury or death if they cannot operate uw without a mask. Sometimes you just need both hands to do other things. Do I think they should have their...

I spent almost a week in Ambergris Caye, the diving around that island was pretty good. Mostly shallow <80 feet or so with little current, and was drift diving. I would say one thing, forgo the trip to Blue Hole. For one thing they will take you very deep, I stopped at 141 and others were far...