Disturbing trend in diving?

[Bubblesong]

Last time i tried to rent gear in Florida, the computers were ALL still locked out due to previous renters going out of deco. No partial refund for the faulty gear, but brought my own wrist computer at all times now.
Plus i learned tables but had to teach my kids since the shops training does not hammer that or even teach it to them

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

So, on the subject of the lawsuit thing some people have been discussing. A lawyer I know, whenever I ask him if I could sued for something, always says the same thing:

“You can always get sued.”

Somewhere out there is a lawyer who will take the case, bill by the hour, and lose. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen to you, or even to anyone at all. Just means it can. On the one hand, you need to ask yourself if you want the hassel and expense of defending such a lawsuit.

On the other, do you wanna live your life in fear that you might get sued over nothing? Do your research, cover your bases to a reasonable degree, then go live your life. Trust that if it comes to it, twelve hopefully honest men will agree with you. That’s my take on all this.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

So, on the subject of the lawsuit thing some people have been discussing. A lawyer I know, whenever I ask him if I could sued for something, always says the same thing:

“You can always get sued.”

Somewhere out there is a lawyer who will take the case, bill by the hour, and lose. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen to you, or even to anyone at all. Just means it can. On the one hand, you need to ask yourself if you want the hassel and expense of defending such a lawsuit.

On the other, do you wanna live your life in fear that you might get sued over nothing? Do your research, cover your bases to a reasonable degree, then go live your life. Trust that if it comes to it, twelve hopefully honest men will agree with you. That’s my take on all this.

Draw up a buddy waiver and make them sign it.
We have a multi page waiver that we make all our volunteer divers and shore support fill out and sign. I had an attorney help me with it.
That's about the best you can do. Other than that just go out and have fun and live your life.

 

[glazerama]

So, lately I've seen some things posted that have me raising my eyebrows a bit.
There have been a few stories posted about people relying completely on the divemasters or guides for their bottom times, NDL status, basic dive profiles. This seems to be in Mexico from what I gather but it might include some other locations.
The trend seems to be that these divers in question don't have computers or depth gauges/any kind of timing device and rely 100% on the divemasters to take care of them and keep them safe.
Is this a thing?

I saw this in Moorea in January. Reputable shop with good reviews. Did not require computer or bottomtimer and did not rent as part of normal gear package. Said French agency did not require them as the dive master was responsible. I had the appropriate gear for my party but was shocked.

 

[TLBoehnke]

So, lately I've seen some things posted that have me raising my eyebrows a bit.
There have been a few stories posted about people relying completely on the divemasters or guides for their bottom times, NDL status, basic dive profiles. This seems to be in Mexico from what I gather but it might include some other locations.
The trend seems to be that these divers in question don't have computers or depth gauges/any kind of timing device and rely 100% on the divemasters to take care of them and keep them safe.
Is this a thing?

I was in Cozumel two weeks ago and there were two men on my boat that hadn't dived in over a year and had no computers or charts with them. They relied solely on the DM's profile and time, as well as their air. They knew they did not have computers!

 

[Allen-1]

I was in Cozumel two weeks ago and there were two men on my boat that hadn't dived in over a year and had no computers or charts with them. They relied solely on the DM's profile and time, as well as their air. They knew they did not have computers!

 

[LI-er]

I was in Cozumel two weeks ago and there were two men on my boat that hadn't dived in over a year and had no computers or charts with them. They relied solely on the DM's profile and time, as well as their air. They knew they did not have computers!

This happens all the time, how often during a briefing do you hear the question "Does anyone not have a computer" and the hands go up.

If it's a guided dive and the divers stay with the DM and abort the dive if they get separated they'll be just fine, you know the DM isn't going to be pushing the NDL limits. You might not dive that way, I've got 3 computers on me at all times and I'm self reliant, but the vast majority of divers don't make a career of it. They get certified and dive maybe 1 week a year so they aren't up to speed and they don't want to be.

They'll be just fine

 

[John C. Ratliff]

This happens all the time, how often during a briefing do you hear the question "Does anyone not have a computer" and the hands go up.

If it's a guided dive and the divers stay with the DM and abort the dive if they get separated they'll be just fine, you know the DM isn't going to be pushing the NDL limits. You might not dive that way, I've got 3 computers on me at all times and I'm self reliant, but the vast majority of divers don't make a career of it. They get certified and dive maybe 1 week a year so they aren't up to speed and they don't want to be.

They'll be just fine

Until something unexpected happens. If the DM has an emergency, and has to dive deeper to pull someone out of a bad situation, do they follow him/her? It sounds like a trusting situation where they are relying upon everything going as planned.

SeaRat

 

[Pressurehead]

This happens all the time, how often during a briefing do you hear the question "Does anyone not have a computer" and the hands go up

And, a few with rental computers asking "how do I set it for Nitrox, does it turn on by it self"? On a dive charter last week. Everyone had a dive computer, you are not allowed on the boat otherwise, just don't know how to use them.

 

[LI-er]

And, a few with rental computers asking "how do I set it for Nitrox, does it turn on by it self"? On a dive charter last week. Everyone had a dive computer, you are not allowed on the boat otherwise, just don't know how to use them.

Yes, I see this all the time. No clue how to use the rental computer, the DMs sit with them and go through the menu. Or they've got their own computer with no knowledge of how to use it because they never made an effort to read the manual or even take it out of the box, it's an unfamiliar model to the helpful crew so they mess around with it pressing buttons trying to get it set properly.