Dive Guide too Fast?

[MaxBottomtime]

During my only trip to Cozumel, our guide and the rest of the group were swimming WITH the current. Merry and I lost the group on every dive. We spent the last few days diving on the house reef rather than going on the boats.

 

[crofrog]

During my only trip to Cozumel, our guide and the rest of the group were swimming WITH the current. Merry and I lost the group on every dive. We spent the last few days diving on the house reef rather than going on the boats.

Were you swimming against the current?

 

[Scared Silly]

I have had a few dive guides who like to swim underwater. After we are back on the boat and their first sprint I tell them that they need to slow down as I will not speed up. I also let them know we are happy to dive ourselves and let them do a swim dive.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Were you swimming against the current?

I was trying to stop to take a photo. The group kept swimming and we couldn't catch them.

 

[gbeasley]

During my only trip to Cozumel, our guide and the rest of the group were swimming WITH the current. Merry and I lost the group on every dive. We spent the last few days diving on the house reef rather than going on the boats.

Swimming with the current defeats the advantage of drift diving. What a waste of energy and air. I agree with you.

 

[Aey P]

During my only trip to Cozumel, our guide and the rest of the group were swimming WITH the current. Merry and I lost the group on every dive. We spent the last few days diving on the house reef rather than going on the boats.

May I ask which dive operator did you go diving with? I am taking to young and beginner divers to Cozumel for the first time and I am a little concerned for their safety.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Scubaclub Cozumel. I believe the recently ceased operations.

 

[Aey P]

Scubaclub Cozumel. I believe the recently ceased operations.

Thank you for your reply. Will check out your photos.

 

[BigMoby]

Isn't there some way to dive in Rangiroa without a dive guide? Is it so tourist oriented that there aren't other boats to take you out, give you that good ol' safety talk and turn you loose? You said you have 300 dives so I take it you are experienced enough to observe safe diving protocols. I have traveled to locations that are tourist oriented and search out a dive boat that doesn't make you follow a guide. If you get a safety brief and follow the boat's "recommendations" you are with the right crew. BTW, I am PADI OWSI with more than 2,000 dives and feel your frustration!

 

[Subcooled]

I'm currently diving in Rangiroa, French Polynesia and the dives here are wearing me out. I'm female, 60, fit with 300+ dives and have started swimming at home between dive trips. I've never been good on air but over the years have learned to minimize my movement, dive slowly and slow down my breath. Then I get in situations like here where the guide speeds along and I can barely keep up without breathing hard. The other divers, usually younger, don't seem to have a problem. Are some dive locations and situations inherently faster dives? How do you choose ones that are slower paced?

Some people are in a hurry. They will miss many details. Diving is not about speed.
Diving with a buddy only, or hiring a private dive guide, can make dives more relaxed.
The rest, you know, is industry - with resources (people), products (performed dives), profit, etc.