Checkout Dives in Coz - What's Normal?

[DiverMo]

I finally booked our dives for our trip to Coz. I have been there before, but this will be the first trip that I have booked with a dive-op. Question is - what is the normal procedure for checkout dives? Do you perform the checkout, and then proceed with your scheduled boat dives, or is your first boat dive spent 'checking out'?

 

[Christi]

I finally booked our dives for our trip to Coz. I have been there before, but this will be the first trip that I have booked with a dive-op. Question is - what is the normal procedure for checkout dives? Do you perform the checkout, and then proceed with your scheduled boat dives, or is your first boat dive spent 'checking out'?

It really depends on the op and your dive history, etc.

For example, I now require divers that are newly certified (first ocean dive) or who haven't dove in two years to schedule their first dive in the afternoon. We do two shallow easy dives so the DM can work with them to get their buoyancy/weighting adjusted and to get comfortable in the local environment. They are "normal" dives but the purpose of the dives is so that they can get personalized attention as neede to work through any issues before being "thrown to the sharks" so to speak.

Check-out dives are not necessarily reuired by all shops however and unless it has been specified, don't assume that your first boat dive will be a check-out dive.

 

[HammerNoMore]

I finally booked our dives for our trip to Coz. I have been there before, but this will be the first trip that I have booked with a dive-op. Question is - what is the normal procedure for checkout dives? Do you perform the checkout, and then proceed with your scheduled boat dives, or is your first boat dive spent 'checking out'?

In generall dive operators try their best to put divers on boats based on their ability levels. On the first day, it is customary to put them either on a boat with fairly new divers or with other divers who are on their first day. These dives go to some of the easier sites and you will be discreetly evaluated. Subsequent dives will either get a little deeper/more advanced or not depending on your skills. Consider your first day a nice referesher for Coz drift diving, after that you should be placed with people of similar skills.

Many shops make this process almost completly transparent, if they have the boats to do so. Some smaller operations, like Christi's, might do things like she indicates above, which is also a good way to go. Anwhere you go there is the posibilty of finding shops that are lax with their safety. If your shop is willing to take you to Baracuda on your first day, then I'd steer clear .

James

 

[HammerNoMore]

BTW, wherever possible, I try to get in a shallow shore dive just to make sure everything is worked out right. I usually do this on the afternoon I arrive and book my first boat dive for the following day.


James

 

[ggunn]

BTW, wherever possible, I try to get in a shallow shore dive just to make sure everything is worked out right. I usually do this on the afternoon I arrive and book my first boat dive for the following day.
James

Yo tam bien. We usually grab a couple of tanks from Blue Angel and go piddle around the inshore part of Villblanca Reef or drift down the ironshore to SCC the first afternoon to get acclimated and tweak buoyancy, and to make sure all the gear is working. Jeez, I typed that and for a second I was THERE....

 

[HammerNoMore]

Yo tam bien. We usually grab a couple of tanks from Blue Angel and go piddle around the inshore part of Villblanca Reef or drift down the ironshore to SCC the first afternoon to get acclimated and tweak buoyancy, and to make sure all the gear is working. Jeez, I typed that and for a second I was THERE....

The squid picture in my gallery is literally 10 feet from the entrance there...

 

[ggunn]

The squid picture in my gallery is literally 10 feet from the entrance there...

You know, I see those guys just about every time I go out behind Caribe Blu snorkeling or diving at night, and though I have gone night diving to a lot of other Coz sites, that's the only place I have ever seen them.

 

[HammerNoMore]

You know, I see those guys just about every time I go out behind Caribe Blu snorkeling or diving at night, and though I have gone night diving to a lot of other Coz sites, that's the only place I have ever seen them.

Actually this one was in broad daylight, but you're correct. I've never seen one at any other Coz site.

James

 

[Wristshot]

FWIW, it really seems like where you were certified and how long since your last dive seem to be really key components.

Before and during our dive training, we were told over and over that divers certified in Monterey would not get the same scrutiny at tropical locations that people with resort certifications would. We just smiled and said "yeah, sure." Well let me tell you, it is true. When they see that we were certified in Monterey, the questions usually stop. Occasionally we are asked when was our last dives, but that is it. We have never had to do any sort of Check out dive so far. Correction, my buddy was "watched" on his first dive in PNG.

Of course it may be too late to change where you get / got certified, but if you have a resort course certification, expect greater scrutiny. Recent dives will also act in your favor.


Wristshot

 

[DiverMo]

BTW, wherever possible, I try to get in a shallow shore dive just to make sure everything is worked out right. I usually do this on the afternoon I arrive and book my first boat dive for the following day.


James

Maybe that's what I will do. I arrive late Sat., and won't start the boat dives until Mon, so maybe I can take Sun morning or afternoon and just do a little shallow shore dive.