Rich452
Registered
I was in Maui last week with my two teen kids, 19 yo son and 17 yo daughter. Our experience level is: we were OW cert in 7/04 and in 04/05 did 5 dives in Cozumel.
Last week, between the three of us, we did 16 tanks over 3 days with good competency shown, all with this same dive operator.
On our 5th tank (first of that day's diving) we were placed with a 4th diver, who was announced as a 'student.' Our group was me and my two teens, the student plus a younger DM. Once we get in the water, the DM announces that he has to do skills with the student. So, I and my two kids hang out for 15 minutes, going thru the first thousand pounds of air. Total dive ended up being a whopping 35 minutes, including the initial 15 of spectating.
When we came up and re-boarded, I went to the senior DM and complained. For the next dive, we were switched and had a good dive with the more senior DM. I am not against students, but when I was getting certified, no cert divers were paying HI boat diving rates to 'cool' their heels while I did buddy breathing. If an emergency cut a dive short, I'd understand completely, but I'm irritated at how this went and I wanted to see if I am over-reacting.
Incidentally, the previous day we were waved off Molikini Crater due to high winds (not the Dive Shops fault, obviously) then had a fuel line fail, putting the boat on one engine and limiting it's capability to cover much water. As a result, ended up re-diving one site twice. Thanks for listening. BTW - this is my first post. This is probably the most educational site I have come across.
Last week, between the three of us, we did 16 tanks over 3 days with good competency shown, all with this same dive operator.
On our 5th tank (first of that day's diving) we were placed with a 4th diver, who was announced as a 'student.' Our group was me and my two teens, the student plus a younger DM. Once we get in the water, the DM announces that he has to do skills with the student. So, I and my two kids hang out for 15 minutes, going thru the first thousand pounds of air. Total dive ended up being a whopping 35 minutes, including the initial 15 of spectating.
When we came up and re-boarded, I went to the senior DM and complained. For the next dive, we were switched and had a good dive with the more senior DM. I am not against students, but when I was getting certified, no cert divers were paying HI boat diving rates to 'cool' their heels while I did buddy breathing. If an emergency cut a dive short, I'd understand completely, but I'm irritated at how this went and I wanted to see if I am over-reacting.
Incidentally, the previous day we were waved off Molikini Crater due to high winds (not the Dive Shops fault, obviously) then had a fuel line fail, putting the boat on one engine and limiting it's capability to cover much water. As a result, ended up re-diving one site twice. Thanks for listening. BTW - this is my first post. This is probably the most educational site I have come across.
