Did the DM go too far?

[wedivebc]

Rock, are you saying the DM acted unsafely when he instructed the hoover to breathe off his octo?[ what was his psi at that moment?] I'm not sure about that one myself. Just off the top of my head I would think it wiser if he told the diver and hoover to ascend to SS. As far as not taking the camera, I think that was a wise move on the pat of the DM.

PSI is irrelevant since his octo is designed for emergency. Extending a person's dive does not qualify. I agree with the second part of your post.

 

[Cacia]

I am 100% with rockpile on this.

Extending a person's dive does not qualify. I agree with the second part of your post.

It is obvious some of you have never needed to extend a dive. "qualify" is something I have needed to do. Not usually, but sometimes.

 

[Sasquatch]

It'd be smarter to start breathing off your buddies octo before its an OOA emergency. If you've got 250 and he's got 800, share his on the way up. You've used enough of yours already, but you've got a little something in reserve in case he gets caught up in the prop or something.

Oh, very good point. I guess I meant a "low-on-air-let-us-head-up" situation.

Sea ya!

 

[Diver0001]

Deal. If the boundaries you set are dangerous and stupid, I will get off your boat. Air mismanagement is not something a DM (or you for that matter) is "entitled" too.

So far so good....

If you think you are entitled to do whatever you want, your designation has gone your head.

Not at all... Anyone is free to plan their own dive and dive their own plan. If you're experienced and able to make your own plan then I'll only assist you with making your plan work..... but if you expect me to tell you what to do then I will but I expect you to to do what I say...

I think you should relax the caps lock in your writing. I'm not advocating that the cattle band together and overthrow the DM during a dive.

no, but you sounded like you don't respect the DM. On my watch that's a non-starter. either we respect each other or we don't dive in the same ocean.

I'm advocating that divers be smart and independent minded enough to recognize unsafe practices. And I can't think of a single reason that would seem unsettling to a well-trained, safe DM.

We certainly agree about this.

R..

 

[stu_in_fl]

being an aspiring photographer i'd be alot more annoyed about the camera thing than the buddy breathing (and I'm sure your friend was too) - probably would have remembered some of those choice spanish words i learned if i was told i wasn't allowed to take photos.......but I do recall just after the hurricanes there were some posts related to some new marine park rules to help the reefs recover - one that stuck in my mind specifically related to photographers and how close they could get to reefs etc. - perhaps the DM was really implying something different than the hoovering (whether warranted or not) - but didn't want to say so......or as some of the other posters mentioned, the DM was annoyed he was not keeping up with the group (but in this case the DM should have simply given the option to dive with the group and keep up or just dive with your buddy at your own pace)

 

[Cacia]

respect the Divemaster to the extent what you observe warrants that. (Rob) like I said, I might listen to you, and not somebody else.

 

[RockPile]

A DM, in normal circumstances (and a gas hog situation is pretty normal), should not be offering themselves as a living stage bottle. A portion of his/her tank is someone's bailout air.

My point has less to do with addressing this particular situation and more to do with statements implying the infallibility of DMs. Anyone can be unsafe, even a DM. And divers should wary of anything or anyone that creates dangerous diving conditions.

JB

 

[Walter]

As far as not taking the camera, I think that was a wise move on the pat of the DM.

It's none of the DM's business. Taking pictures is legal in Cozumel. If he needs to ascent with his buddy to a shallower depth at the end of the dive, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, there's nothing wrong with not following the DM at all. It's not like the DM has the float, it's live boating in Coz, not float diving (except when I go, I take a float), so there's no reason to stay with the DM anyway.

 

[JRScuba]

An answer to your question would be predicated upon the agreement entered into by both parties when the diver signed up for the dive.

I dare say that the overwhelming, vast majority of vaction divers don't read the waiver and agreement they sign before they go on the dive.

I have no knowledge of the business practices of the LDS with which you dealt, but it could be possible that the DM is required by the LDS to conduct the dive in the manner in which he did.

Keep in mind that what I suggest is pure speculation.

The D/M is there to conduct the dive for the group, not an assortment of individuals.

However, I don't think a D/M should ever force a diver to breathe down a tank to that extent. Just asking for trouble.

Just my 2 psi.

the K

K, That is a good answer. Your first line sets the tone for this post. What was the agreement or dive plan. Your noncommittal to give judgement without knowing all the facts is what gives your post the credibility it deserves.

When in another country you abide by their laws, rules, etc. They do not play by
ours ( USA ).

I have rarely been on a boat were the divers read the waiver, agreement, etc.

 

[scubaaaronh]

I agree with Walter also. A camera doesn't change your breathing rate it just slows you down so you see smaller critters that you would other wise miss as you go streaking by. At least thats all it did to me. If i was told i couldn't take my cam that would be my last dive with the OP.

As far as sharing air i agree with others that he shouldn't have done that. If another diver had a problem then what breathe between three people or take off and let one guy sit there without a reg. just not wise to do unless making sharing while making an ascent