Advanced dives for beginners?

[Mossman]

I have gone to Maracaibo a few times with Aldora and the dive was not planned nor did it become a deco dive. That it was a non-deco dive even with my very conservative Suunto dive computers means that it was even further from deco for most everyone else.

They seems to start out at some arch formation then head shallower to a nice area. Obviously someone could go as deep as they choose at that site but that applies to many sites on Cozumel, including Palancar.

It is a nice dive and not that challenging in my opinion (yes I may be wrong). Barracuda would rank higher on the challenge scale.

I didn't find Maracaibo challenging, currents were mild. But we went deep and my very conservative Suunto made me do 22 minutes of deco. That might pose an issue for a newbie low on air.

It does make sense that there would be a shallower area, it's probably just not very well publicized because the few boats that do go that far south are probably only a "special" trip to go deep. I can accept that answer, unless we hear otherwise from the OP and I'll bet he's afraid to open his mouth again. Dave probably ripped him a new one for implying online that Aldora took him to an "expert" dive site

And if I hear any other newbie reports saying they went through Devil's Throat on their first dive, I reserve the right to again "raise my eyebrows" and question it. After all, that's what we're here for. Can't just talk about restaurants and CO analyzers all day.

Barracuda is the goal for my June trip. I've never gone north.

 

[ronscuba]

I did a dive very far south. Don't recall the depth but do remember currents were pretty strong, the highlight of the dive was making our way out to what seemed like a point out in the open with strong current and plenty of sharks hanging out.

I thought this was Maracaibo, but I could have the site names mixed up. If it was not Maracaibo does my site description sound familiar to anyone ?

 

[Mossman]

I did a dive very far south. Don't recall the depth but do remember currents were pretty strong, the highlight of the dive was making our way out to what seemed like a point out in the open with strong current and plenty of sharks hanging out.

I thought this was Maracaibo, but I could have the site names mixed up. If it was not Maracaibo does my site description sound familiar to anyone ?

No help from me. Honestly, I got so narced at 170 that I don't even remember the dive, just the 22 minutes of deco

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I am not familiar with the diver or the dive shop involved in the original post, but I do have a few comments here. I did my open water dives on Maui. My instructor was a course director. After completing my certification, I had a day of two recreational boat dives on his shop's boat. My first dive was to 80 feet, but in fantastic viz and no current. I would not call it an advanced dive. When my wife completed her certification in Mexico I had been a dive pro for a few years. She demonstrated excellent skills and attitude, and for her first recreational dives we were on Columbia wall. She was with me ( like a private DM for her) and we went to 90 feet on a clear day, with great vis and no current. She of course would not tackle such a dive as a novice without an escort from me. Some "advanced dives" aren't, really, and some sites labeled as easy or beginner can get dicey with weather changes and wind. Also, I have found recently certified divers are often much more conscientious than some experienced divers. New divers who receive proper training are great to dive with. They follow their training, and are safe. Not always so with the diver who last trained years ago, takes one dive trip every year or two, and is not so conscientious or skilled as they once were. Sadly, there are a lot of divers like that.
DivemasterDennis

 

[ggunn]

I have gone to Maracaibo a few times with Aldora and the dive was not planned nor did it become a deco dive. That it was a non-deco dive even with my very conservative Suunto dive computers means that it was even further from deco for most everyone else.

They seems to start out at some arch formation then head shallower to a nice area. Obviously someone could go as deep as they choose at that site but that applies to many sites on Cozumel, including Palancar.

It is a nice dive and not that challenging in my opinion (yes I may be wrong). Barracuda would rank higher on the challenge scale.

My one and only dive at Maracaibo was to 154 feet, about 10 minutes at depth, and well into deco. All in all I'd sooner have gone to Palancar.

 

[Prop Joe]

I was there, you were not. I will not sink to your level though. :ignore:
I can predict where this post is going to go and will not comment further. :nuke:

Have a nice dive at Barracuda though.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Dear Mossman,

First off, it is one thing to "cheer lead" for one's own dive shop which I don't mind, then the other thing is to work real hard to slam another shop with what ever stupid reason you can dig up.

Surely after 20 years of us serving Cozumel Divers you can find better things to blame us for than this.


Dave Dillhay
Aldora Divers

 

[Mossman]

Dear Mossman,

First off, it is one thing to "cheer lead" for one's own dive shop which I don't mind, then the other thing is to work real hard to slam another shop with what ever stupid reason you can dig up.

Surely after 20 years of us serving Cozumel Divers you can find better things to blame us for than this.


Dave Dillhay
Aldora Divers

Huh?

First of all, I didn't even mention your shop's name. If I was "working hard" to slam you, surely I would have at least mentioned the name of the shop? You're totally paranoid.

Second, I'm not the only one who said their eyebrows were raised by hearing that someone went to Maraicaibo as a beginner diver and on the first dive of the trip. My eyebrows were raised. The original poster never clarified. It's hardly "stupid" as you call it to question why a newbie would be taken to Maracaibo on their first dive of a trip. I've seen plenty of "stupider" questions here. Others clarified that it may have been a shallow and safer section of Maracaibo and I agreed.

Third, I'm hardly a cheerleader. In fact, I rarely even mention the name of my preferred dive shop. Last thing I want is for him to grow bigger. And let that get to his head. And then start getting paranoid.

Trust me, you have enough cheerleaders to field your own sports league.

 

[ggunn]

I was there, you were not. I will not sink to your level though. :ignore:
I can predict where this post is going to go and will not comment further. :nuke:

Have a nice dive at Barracuda though.

Who are you talking to and what are you trying to say? This immediately followed what I posted, but if there is a connection, it eludes me.

 

[mediumone]

I am not familiar with the diver or the dive shop involved in the original post, but I do have a few comments here. I did my open water dives on Maui. My instructor was a course director. After completing my certification, I had a day of two recreational boat dives on his shop's boat. My first dive was to 80 feet, but in fantastic viz and no current. I would not call it an advanced dive. When my wife completed her certification in Mexico I had been a dive pro for a few years. She demonstrated excellent skills and attitude, and for her first recreational dives we were on Columbia wall. She was with me ( like a private DM for her) and we went to 90 feet on a clear day, with great vis and no current. She of course would not tackle such a dive as a novice without an escort from me. Some "advanced dives" aren't, really, and some sites labeled as easy or beginner can get dicey with weather changes and wind. Also, I have found recently certified divers are often much more conscientious than some experienced divers. New divers who receive proper training are great to dive with. They follow their training, and are safe. Not always so with the diver who last trained years ago, takes one dive trip every year or two, and is not so conscientious or skilled as they once were. Sadly, there are a lot of divers like that.
DivemasterDennis

Very well put. Thanks for posting.