Cenote and camera's?

[Bryan Cunningham]

Just checked with the dive operator I use. No problem to take cameras, as long as your buoyancy is good.

Bryan
SCUBA DESTINATION DEALS - HOME

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Some cenotes (Chac Mool comes to mind) have a sign that states cameras are not allowed... However, it is really up to the shop and ultimately the guide to allow a diver to carry his/her camera during the dive(s). Personally, I don't mind if my divers have cameras as long as (like Jason said) their buoyancy and trim are up to par. If there is 1 diver within the group that has a camera, I place him/her as the first person behind me to make sure he/her will not stray from the group trying to get the "perfect shot".

Is this sign fairly new? We've dove Chac Mool twice (the last time was in 2011) and I carried a camera both times.
For Chac Mool, specifically, I'd wonder if it isn't a cash cow as much as anything, since Chac Mool generally has a cameraman in the water and sells people the video/stills.

 

[Beyond_Diving]

Is this sign fairly new? We've dove Chac Mool twice (the last time was in 2011) and I carried a camera both times.
For Chac Mool, specifically, I'd wonder if it isn't a cash cow as much as anything, since Chac Mool generally has a cameraman in the water and sells people the video/stills.

They put up the signs after the "incident" in April..

 

[Dirty-Dog]

They put up the signs after the "incident" in April..

Obviously I missed something. What happened in April? I bet someone can provide a link...

 

[TSandM]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ac...ool-riviera-maya-2-brazillian-1-spaniard.html

A guide took two people who were not cave trained beyond the warning sign. Something happened; one diver ran out of gas and shared with the guide. All three died.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Thanks for the link. I was aware of that incident. Just never occured to me that cameras would have anything to do with people doing things and going places they ought not. Still don't see a connection, I thought maybe something that was actually camera related might have happened.

 

[TSandM]

I think the concern is situational awareness. I don't know if either of the clients (or the guide) had a camera on that dive. But when you are using a camera, you have less attention to pay to where you are, where the guideline is, and whether you go past the sign.

I was told by my cave instructor that a camera played a role in a prior multiple fatality, because the divers missed some navigational cues.

 

[rongoodman]

I was told by my cave instructor that a camera played a role in a prior multiple fatality, because the divers missed some navigational cues.

The one in Calimba?

 

[TSandM]

Yes. I can't remember the details, but apparently there was an intersection that was either near a wall or going up over something, and it was easy to miss if you were otherwise distracted.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

I think the concern is situational awareness. I don't know if either of the clients (or the guide) had a camera on that dive. But when you are using a camera, you have less attention to pay to where you are, where the guideline is, and whether you go past the sign.

I was told by my cave instructor that a camera played a role in a prior multiple fatality, because the divers missed some navigational cues.

I'm sure that varies widely from one person to another, depending on how focused (pun unavoidable...) they are on the photography. Personally, I'm a 'point and shoot" cameraman, for both video and stills. I don't spend a week trying to get the "perfect" picture. I'm there for the dive. The pictures are secondary.

But truthfully, I can't imagine being so distracted by anything that I'd miss those huge warning signs.