Bad Dive Master

[Christi]

I think part of the reason we couldn't find the reef is because the captian didn't drop us on it. He told us we were over it, cut the engine, and then we drifted a ways before we finally entered the water. This also had the other two groups do bounce dives to 90 and 110 feet. One woman blacked out on the bottom from a quick descent, but was brought to the surface and is OK. If the captian had held his position, the dive could have been better.

Deleted because I posted this before I finished reading the entire thread and saw more discussion on it...my bad

 

[Christi]

The other option, which does not get mentioned too often, is you can teach yourself many things without ever paying money to PADI. The information is out there and so are mentors in the dive community.

The notion that you have to pay money for "proper training" is not always true.
I have learned more seeking certain divers out than my masterdiver or divemaster classes which were fairly rudimentary in contrast.

It is more convenient for people to find fault in DM's but much more effective just to learn what you need for yourself and then it won't matter so much...

I couldn't agree with you more Catherine!

 

[pilot fish]

Sorry I haven't been able to keep with the conversation, but PF, at what point do you think a diver is capable of taking care of themselves? Stop relying on the DM so much to make basic decisions.

It seems like you are making the DM the ultimate form of protection in the Ocean, when it should be the individuals own responsibility. A DM is merely a jack of all trades, and the initial step for a professional diver.

I keep looking back to one of your earlier threads in which you blame the DM for putting you at risk, when at any time you could have called the dive. Stop worrying how many dives the DM has, worry about your abilities as a diver to get yourself out of situations, or better yet, keep out of them

Fishboy, you need to let that other thread go at some point because it is confusing you. On that dive the DM was supposed to guide us on a drift dive but instead put us against current at 95 ft and then turned the dive back into current at the end of the dive. Also, I was usng the wrong kick with my split fins, an error I admitted, and wound up behind by 100 ft. The DM guide knew I was diving without a buddy, told him before the dive, but he did not take a head count as we started the return back into current to the boat. As they left my view I ended the dive and got myself back to the boat. At no point was it a drift dive and at no point did he communicate a change to anyone on that dive. Other divers complained to him that he had no comunication skills on that dive and I told him the same. Hope that clears it up for you?

If a DM is to guide you on a unfamiliar divesite you have never dove, he should at least do that. If it is supposed to be a drift dive, then it should be that. If situations change, as they can, then you communicate that.

 

[pilot fish]

So if I understand it correctly, you think the divemaster you had was incompetent, the other divemaster with the other divers was incompetent, and the boat captain was incompetent. It would be interesting to hear another divers perspective that was on the same dive with you. Makes me wonder what kind of operation this is if none of the crew members knew what they were doing from your perspective.

Since there were junior divers on that boat it seems the proper caution was not taken, if his account of the dive is accurate.

 

[Christi]

FME, in places like Coz they tend to be DM's only and places like the Caymans or Hawaii they tend to be both. It makes sense for them to be both in resort settings so they can teach classes and lead dives.

Actually, more DM's are Instructors than you may think. If they are not Mexican and are working on the boat in a DM role, I guarantee you that they are an instructor...because that's the only way they can get their work permit. The Mexican Instructors go out as DM's as often or more than they teach to stay busy and earn a steady paycheck.

 

[pilot fish]

The other option, which does not get mentioned too often, is you can teach yourself many things without ever paying money to PADI. The information is out there and so are mentors in the dive community.

The notion that you have to pay money for "proper training" is not always true.
I have learned more seeking certain divers out than my masterdiver or divemaster classes which were fairly rudimentary in contrast.

It is more convenient for people to find fault in DM's but much more effective just to learn what you need for yourself and then it won't matter so much...

That is how I picked up a ton of tips that improved my diving, observation and just diving often. I improved with each series of dives, more than reading a book could teach me. When you have sound basic skills you can fine tune your diving by watching, listening and doing. Catherine, you are right again.

 

[Christi]

Since there were junior divers on that boat it seems the proper caution was not taken, if his account of the dive is accurate.

Yeh, I actually deleted that post because I had posted it before I reead this whole thread...geez...it took me an hour to get through it...haha!

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

I don't use DM's. The charters I go on don't use DM's.

That's why I question this as a troll, where did the DM come from? Puget boats don't provide DMs let alone 3 per group, so they came from the shop perhaps...or this is a troll. How did the OP miss the wall while others dropped to 100+ anyway.

I'm still reading I'll edit with apologies if I'm wrong.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Anyway, let us assume arguendo that the story is accurate. Would that be a good DM, or a bad DM? BTW, have you ever dove, or seen, a bad DM, or one that just did THAT dive badly. Most people are not bad all the time.

Oh I get it

 

[gcbryan]

That's why I question this as a troll, where did the DM come from? Puget boats don't provide DMs let alone 3 per group, so they came from the shop perhaps...or this is a troll. How did the OP miss the wall while others dropped to 100+ anyway.

I'm still reading I'll edit with apologies if I'm wrong.

You're wrong. It's not a troll.