Sorry to be off the board for the day, but I was diving....(3 dives, 4 shots, 60lbs of grouper) Personal dive, so no one touched anybody's gear but their own. I do confess, however I did help my buddy with his tank once.
Here's my take on the whole thing. I understand the whole "leave my gear alone" agrument, and that's why there's a balance. I always have people set their gear up on the deck before we shove off. That allows me to assess whether they know what they're doing or not and to make sure they have it set up the way they like it and not the way I like mine. Some like different tank heights, etc...I've also seen some guys with the regs on the left. I simply verfiy to make sure it's how they want it and leave it at that. That way when i do swap it out, I know how they like it.
When we reach the site, I heft their BC/Tank (doubles and rebreathers included) onto jumpseat. They slide in, and I help them with any buckles they need attached. Sometimes folks get excited and put the mask on before their bc which limits their view. I then offer positive control so they don't slip, fall, get caught by a wave until they reach the gunwhale.
The next time I touch the gear is when they're being swapped out...and that's for the reasons stated earlier. As always if someone wants to do it theirselves, they certainly may. (Sometimes if I was out too late the night before, everyone changes out their tanks and I hold an auction to see which cute little scuba hotties gets to change out mine...but that's another story.)
The thought behind all this is to get in the water quickly, safely, and with minimum number of accidents. Practically speaking, doing it this way usually allows the divers to get their second Oriskany dive finished just as the Cluster Boats are arriving. And that makes the difference between seeing the wreck with six people, or with sixty.
Make no mistake, I'm no zealot. Dive the way you want. Just let me know your plans in case something goes wrong. I have three basic rules. Back on the boat with 500 psi., do a safety stop, and have the best dive you can. We don't limit bottom time if you have a computer, but there's no deco on rec dives for obvious reasons. (One "experienced" knucklehead had an hour and a half DECO commitment because his non-tech computer didn't give him credit with he switched to 75%O2 on his stop. We had to cancel the afternoon charter because this guy couldn't think beyond his own mask.)
When it comes down to it, it's my job to make sure everyone gets back safely. I'm responsible for the divers, and I'd rather be on the witness stand saying, "Yes, your honor, I gave a solid briefing," rather than "Well,gee, your honor, they looked like they've been diving awhile."
So while I'd love to just swim around, kill a few nice fish while you're checking out the wreck, and then collect tips for doing absolutely nothing, I have to think beyond my own mask and make sure you have a better experience than you expected.
Now, if you'll excuse me, some cute little scuba hottie wants to change my tank...and I just might let her.
