Dive review St. Thomas

[islandmon]

I went on my 3rd dive with underwater safari in St. Thomas Virgin Island yesterday. I was looking forward to seing the shipwreck at Buck Island .There was a problem with my mouth piece and then I couldn't clear my mask so I was never able to make the dive. I was able to see all the other divers come up and one of the diver came up and her ear was bleeding and she was in great pain. The staff did basically nothing. Very disappointing


Islandmon
St. Thomas Virgin Islands Frenchman's bay Vacation Villa rental by owner

 

[DandyDon]

That's an interesting post. What did you want them to do? If I had a problem with my mouthpiece. I'd replace it with a spare I carry, or if in the water - switch to my alternate second state.

I'd be pretty embarrassed if I couldn't clear my mask and actually wonder what I'm doing on a dive boat if I lacked that skill. Maybe I misunderstood; just responding to what you said.

I can't imagine why the other diver's ear was bleeding unless she really screwed up on equalizing, which I'm sure would be painful, but I wouldn't expect a medic to be onboard. Sounds like a trip to ER and a DAN dive insurance claim with trip interruption claim - if she was so insured.

So how did the operator disappoint you? I really don't expect an Op to do much more than safely transport me and supply me with tanks & weights.

 

[Bratface]

I agree with Dandy Don, what did you want them to do? You have listed your dive experience as under 24 dives. You'll get a lot better with more experience. Every diver needs to check his own gear, dive within his limitations, and learn from your disappointments and failures. Sorry you were disappointed. As far as the person who blew their ear, I'm sure they were much more disappointed than you were. Is it somehow the dive operator's fault that it happened? I think not

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I agree, why is the dive op to blame because you couldn't clear your mask? :huh:

 

[islandmon]

Just wanted to reply that Underwater Safari advertises their trips for first time scuba divers. I guess I expected a bit more assistance than what I received. Trying again this weekend.

Islandmon
St. Thomas Virgin Islands Frenchman's bay Vacation Villa rental by owner

 

[DandyDon]

Just wanted to reply that Underwater Safari advertises their trips for first time scuba divers. I guess I expected a bit more assistance than what I received. Trying again this weekend.

Islandmon
St. Thomas Virgin Islands Frenchman's bay Vacation Villa rental by owner

Maybe you'll be happier if you hire a personal DM/valet. Have fun...

 

[TennisCoach]

I was able to see all the other divers come up and one of the diver came up and her ear was bleeding and she was in great pain. The staff did basically nothing. Very disappointing

I know is not their responsability to do anything, but I think that a little bit of compasion would not hurt anyone. at least ask the diver if they are OK, and try to make them as comfortable as you can. I know it was not the operators fault that she had the ear problem, but you are part of the crew and the customer spect more from you. Now, that lady could say that she had the worst day ever and that it was in a lot of pain but the crew was very understanding and that made it all better or she can say that the crew did not even offerd her an ibuprofen for the pain just my .02 psi

 

[DandyDon]

I don't know; do Caribbean boats carry ibuprofen, is it okay to mask the symptoms before going to ER, is there a legal liability if over it? I really don't know. I've always carried my own OTC meds and basic first aid for such. Well, I don't carry ibuprofen, but do carry aspirin - my analgesic of choice, and often offer aspirin, antihistamine, vinegar, alcohol, etc to other divers. What do you carry in yours?

I can't speculate much on why the lady injured her ear so badly as to bleed; don't know how it happened at all and never seen such a case.

 

[String]

Just wanted to reply that Underwater Safari advertises their trips for first time scuba divers. I guess I expected a bit more assistance than what I received. Trying again this weekend.

First time scuba? Is this for non-qualified divers or for qualified divers?

If its non-qualified its a discover scuba so you'd expect assistance. If its for qualified divers, if you cant clear a mask you have no business being on that boat. If you do need individual mothering then ask for and pay extra for a private instructor and/or divemaster. As for the mouth piece was it your reg or rental ? If its their rental gear you'd expect them to switch it. If its private gear and you have no spare you can't really expect anything off them.

 

[Hoomi]

Disappointment is often the result of unrealistic expectations. We go into something, assuming that a certain service or product will be delivered, and then get disappointed when it isn't.

Humorous, true example: A couple of men my father-in-law worked with were on a business trip, and found a listing for in-room massage girls. They called the number, booked two girls, and then were disappointed when all they got was a massage. They assumed the massages included conjugal services, but such was not advertised.

What did the dive operator advertise for the cost of the excursion? What, that was advertised, was not delivered? Was the equipment you used rented from the operator, and the problems with the mouthpiece and mask related to poor quality, ill-fitting, or non-maintained equipment? Or did you bring your own equipment, and had problems with it that they were not prepared to take care of? Did you have your own "Save-A-Dive" kit, or did you assume the dive operators would have one you could use? If the latter, did they advertise that they would have emergency "spare parts" and repair supplies for divers?

Did the operator provide the advertised ratio of DM's to divers? Was there a promise of sufficient experienced DM's to stick with inexperienced divers in order to help the newbies with problems, or were these advertised as essentially easy dives, suitable for new - but trained - divers?

Given the information you posted, we really cannot offer a truly objective analysis of your situation. We don't really know if your disappointment is truly in the dive operator, or whether your disappointment is partially rooted in yourself, but is being redirected at the operator.

Maybe you already have, so don't take this as uncompassionate or snarky, but my suggestion would be to objectively evaluate whether you undertook adequate efforts to insure your dives were successful and enjoyable, or whether you were relying too much on someone else to take care of everything. Make sure what you were expecting is truly what was advertised, and that you fulfilled your responsibility for your own safety and enjoyment on the dive.