Coz Drift Diving Question

[Diver Kat]

We were in Coz two years ago and went with Pappa Hogs because we had heard some good things about the operator. Turned out to be the worst dive I'd ever been on. They had one large dive boat that included a platform and dive ladder. The day we went, they sent a group of snorkelers out on it and put the eight divers on a small boat that was definitely not set up for diving. Two people ended up getting pretty bruised trying to get out of the boat and into the water. The exit was worse. The low point was when the driver hit me in the head with the boat as he was trying to position it. (I ended up with nothing more than a scrape, but it wasn't pleasant.) We had planned a two tank dive, but four of us had enough after the first dive. The really scary part of the dive was that instead of leaving us in the boat while the rest of the group took the second dive, the operator dropped them in the water with a DM and then headed back to shore with us (about 15 minutes away from the dive site). A really, really, really bad idea. As far as I know, nothing happened -- but it could have. The dives are great in Coz, just make sure you have the right operator.

We've done 22 dives with Papa Hogs during several different trips, and never, ever had any problems, or observed anything like this. Mike & Margaret would never knowingly condone any behavior that would put their customers at risk. I hope that you reported these problems to them directly. They are wonderful people that do their best to run a safe dive op (IMHO!)

 

[ggunn]

While everyone has heard a horror story or two, the overwhelming majority of divers that go to Cozumel have good to great experiences diving there. It's what keeps us all going back; the dives there are for the most part dependably good. You can book a trip there a year in advance, in any month of the year, and be reasonably sure that you'll have good dives, the occasional tropical storm or "norte" notwithstanding.

 

[Jerryg]

We've all heard of horror stories and many of us have experienced them. But with my life on the line I don't give dive shops a second chance.

 

[Sue-ba]

We have done Coz several times. Last trip was August right after the first 2 hurricanes. The currents were really crazy. The majority of our dives were still wonderful but 2 days were a little hairy. We got into the water one day and started to descend. I was buddied with my newly cert. daughter. It took us longer to get down and currents were running toward shore, VERY strong. It was all I could do to get us both to where the DM and the rest of our group were waiting behind a rock. We pretty much stayed between formations whenever possible that day.

Even though it was hairy and the currents were strong and kept changing directions sometimes even mid-dive, it was still great diving. I had a few moments when I thought we might not make it to the group that one day. I was not worried though because we would have ended up on shore. I would have been bummed to have to end a dive that fast but it would not have been a problem. We have never had to use our sausages at Coz, but we each carry one, just in case.

 

[ggunn]

We've all heard of horror stories and many of us have experienced them. But with my life on the line I don't give dive shops a second chance.

Fair enough, but the only horror stories I totally believe without independent corroboration are those which I myself experience. There are at least two sides to every one of them, and there are enough folks out there with axes to grind, misunderstandings, and expectations different from mine that I take all I hear but have not seen for myself with a very large grain of salt.

 

[diveborg]

Fair enough, but the only horror stories I totally believe without independent corroboration are those which I myself experience. There are at least two sides to every one of them, and there are enough folks out there with axes to grind, misunderstandings, and expectations different from mine that I take all I hear but have not seen for myself with a very large grain of salt.

Wise plan indeed.

 

[Christi]

We were in Coz two years ago and went with Pappa Hogs because we had heard some good things about the operator. Turned out to be the worst dive I'd ever been on. They had one large dive boat that included a platform and dive ladder. The day we went, they sent a group of snorkelers out on it and put the eight divers on a small boat that was definitely not set up for diving. Two people ended up getting pretty bruised trying to get out of the boat and into the water. The exit was worse. The low point was when the driver hit me in the head with the boat as he was trying to position it. (I ended up with nothing more than a scrape, but it wasn't pleasant.) We had planned a two tank dive, but four of us had enough after the first dive. The really scary part of the dive was that instead of leaving us in the boat while the rest of the group took the second dive, the operator dropped them in the water with a DM and then headed back to shore with us (about 15 minutes away from the dive site). A really, really, really bad idea. As far as I know, nothing happened -- but it could have. The dives are great in Coz, just make sure you have the right operator.

Papa hogs uses the large boat primarily for larger groups, for fishing, and for diving on days when the smaller boats cannot go out. Their smaller boats ARE in fact set up for diving...these are typical dive boats in Cozumel and in many places, and is one of the reasons many people choose this operator as well as other operators with small boats.

How did people get bruised up getting out of the boat into the water? You all should have done a standard back-roll entry.

Your statement "we planned a two-tank dive, but four of us had enough air after the first dive" is very confusing. It sounds like you are claiming that they didn't provide new tanks for the second dive. You are not expected or would they ever require you to do both dives on one tank, they ALWAYS provide a new tank for the second dive...everyone does and it is standard operating procedure. If you expect any of the seasoned Coz divers or myself (an operator in Coz) to believe that, you are foolishly mistaken.

I agree, the boat captain should have dropped you off before the divers, or should have had you stay on the boat while they did the dives. I think there is alot more to this story that you are claiming.

Sorry Dusty, but too many things in you story just don't jive. It sounds more like you had a bad attitude from the beginning or you have a personal axe to gring with this operator. I know Mike and Margaret and they have been operating a highly respected operation for many, many years both in Coz and in Canada.

I highly recommend that you post only factually based experiences.

 

[Banon]

I find it strange that the boat, especially from a reputable shop like Papa Hogs, would leave a group out in the water as well, unless maybe:
1. there was another "friendly" boat in the area looking out in case of problems (these divers wouldn't know about this arrangement unless they spoke Spanish, which seems doubtful from the writeup),
2. the currents weren't running high that day,
3. the dive site was relatively close to shore and/or could be ended closer to shore out of the main boat paths,
4. there were only a couple of very experienced divers left, who had been diving with that particular DM and captain long enough for all of them to be comfortable with each others abilities, and
5. they REALLY wanted the problem people off the boat.

But aside from all that, and back on drift diving.

Drift diving can be some of the laziest diving you will ever do. Roll off the back of the boat as a group, descend with the group drifting down with the current, and watch the world go by. Don't worry about the boat because it will be trailing you on the surface, tracking you by your bubbles.

Ask your dive master to tell you about the current at the site as part of the briefing. The trick is moving in and out of the current. Closer to the bottom the current will be slower, further off the bottom it will be faster. Duck behind coral heads and ledges if you need to stop to let people catch up. There are often nice things to see there as well!

When you hit 700 psi, signal your DM that you need to start heading up and he will either let you go with your buddy or ask you if you want to "re-pair" with someone else who is also ready to ascend. Your choice. (Most shops send up buddy pairs as air runs low, but some shops go up as a group. There are lots of good recommendations on these forums of shops that let you dive to your bottom time. Your choice.)

Drift up to a safety stop at 15 feet for 3 to 5 minutes and watch the surface for boats (along with the bottom for that eagle ray or shark that always seems to show up on safety stops). More times than not you will see your dive boat moving slowly on the surface towards you while you are hanging out. Other boats see that boat and know divers are close underneath.

When you are ready to surface, look and listen. Do a complete 360 scanning the surface and listen for close fast engine sounds. If all looks and sounds good, surface and once again do a look around. Your boat should be right there with you, but if not a little wave should let him know you are ready to be picked up. (Not a distress wave, just a "hey, I see you and please come pick me up" wave.) Do make sure you know your boat and captain's name. It's always humorous when we end up with an "extra" diver at our boat.

Photography is really the only thing that gets much trickier with drift diving. Sometimes the currents make it a little more difficult to hold position for a nice shot.

I hope you have a good trip!

Banon

 

[HammerNoMore]

Papa hogs uses the large boat primarily for larger groups, for fishing, and for diving on days when the smaller boats cannot go out. Their smaller boats ARE in fact set up for diving...these are typical dive boats in Cozumel and in many places, and is one of the reasons many people choose this operator as well as other operators with small boats.

How did people get bruised up getting out of the boat into the water? You all should have done a standard back-roll entry.

Your statement "we planned a two-tank dive, but four of us had enough air after the first dive" is very confusing. It sounds like you are claiming that they didn't provide new tanks for the second dive. You are not expected or would they ever require you to do both dives on one tank, they ALWAYS provide a new tank for the second dive...everyone does and it is standard operating procedure. If you expect any of the seasoned Coz divers or myself (an operator in Coz) to believe that, you are foolishly mistaken.

I agree, the boat captain should have dropped you off before the divers, or should have had you stay on the boat while they did the dives. I think there is alot more to this story that you are claiming.

Sorry Dusty, but too many things in you story just don't jive. It sounds more like you had a bad attitude from the beginning or you have a personal axe to gring with this operator. I know Mike and Margaret and they have been operating a highly respected operation for many, many years both in Coz and in Canada.

I highly recommend that you post only factually based experiences.

:yelclap:

 

[Rooster1]

We were in Coz two years ago and went with Pappa Hogs because we had heard some good things about the operator. Turned out to be the worst dive I'd ever been on. They had one large dive boat that included a platform and dive ladder. The day we went, they sent a group of snorkelers out on it and put the eight divers on a small boat that was definitely not set up for diving. Two people ended up getting pretty bruised trying to get out of the boat and into the water. The exit was worse. The low point was when the driver hit me in the head with the boat as he was trying to position it. (I ended up with nothing more than a scrape, but it wasn't pleasant.) We had planned a two tank dive, but four of us had enough after the first dive. The really scary part of the dive was that instead of leaving us in the boat while the rest of the group took the second dive, the operator dropped them in the water with a DM and then headed back to shore with us (about 15 minutes away from the dive site). A really, really, really bad idea. As far as I know, nothing happened -- but it could have. The dives are great in Coz, just make sure you have the right operator.

Thats a real bummer that you went through that. I find that odd that Papa Hogs would run that kinda show. I have never dove with them because when I am in Coz I like to stick to the same guy I have been diving with for the last few years. But Papa Hogs from what understand and have heard has had an excellent reputation through the years.