Divemasters/Resorts making you flood and clear?

[Rainer]

You can always shore dive Hawaii...

That said, I was also a bit disappointed to hear this. We're planning a Dec trip there, and this definitely lessens the appeal. Time to find small boats.

 

[Rainer]

Hopefully not ... although I'm afraid I was a bit grumpier than usual when I found out I couldn't dive that day (we did go snorkeling, which was delightful in the Front Yard) ... when were you there ???

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Bob, why couldn't they do this in the afternoon? Was no DM available, such that he could take 60 seconds to walk down and watch you clear your mask (he wouldn't need scuba to do this)? Just blows my mind that they wouldn't accomodate you.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Bob, why couldn't they do this in the afternoon? Was no DM available, such that he could take 60 seconds to walk down and watch you clear your mask (he wouldn't need scuba to do this)? Just blows my mind that they wouldn't accomodate you.

We asked ... even offered to pay (I offered one DM $50 if he'd just take us out and do that).

Unfortunately, the "orientation" involves quite a bit more than just the skills review ... they spend about 40 minutes in the classroom going over every detail of the house rules, layout, dive sites (some of them), and making sure you are aware of every conceivable possibility for spending more money before you leave.

Actually, in hindsight it made for a more enjoyable stay ... and made us aware of the AKR dolphin dive, which we did later in the week (and was a fantastic experience).

Overall, and despite my initial grumpiness, I'd go back and do it again in a hearbeat ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Rainer]

Guess that makes sense. If they have guests arriving in the afternoon, though, you'd think they could do two sessions per day. Regardless, it sounds like a good trip. We're thinking of going next year. Do they make you repeat the orientation on subsequent visits?

 

[halocline]

But there was one obnoxious, pompous guy who put up such a fuss that they let him shore dive that afternoon anyway. He was there with his ex wife, and I can understand why she was his ex. The only reason she went with him was because he didn't have anyone else to dive with and he paid for her. And she was as nice as he was obnoxious. Go figure.

I think I met this guy once, or his twin....

Anyhow, just returned from Roatan for the first time, I dove with Coconut tree divers and I did not have to do this, but they definitely kept their eyes on me for the first dive, which was a shallow afternoon dive. If I had been asked to remove my mask unannounced I'd be a little pissed because of my contacts; I have actually had my eyes open in water for a few seconds without losing them, but it means removing them and sterilizing after the dive. If they told me ahead of time and I could do it w/out my contacts in I'd have no problem. Before any good samaritan reminds me of this, I can safely dive w/out the contacts and I can easily flood and clear with my eyes closed. I just wouldn't choose to do so.

The larger issue of checking out new dive customers is an interesting one; I think we'd all agree that it's in our best interest to dive in a group where all the divers have demonstrated good skills. Personally, I'd be interested in dive shops grouping divers together based on air consumption; every one of my dives in Roatan was shorter than I would have liked, except a single night dive on which there were only three of us. Just think of the revolt that would ocurr if the DM checked everyone's SPG at the conclusion of the first dive.

 

[fairybasslet]

Hopefully not ... although I'm afraid I was a bit grumpier than usual when I found out I couldn't dive that day (we did go snorkeling, which was delightful in the Front Yard) ... when were you there ???

(edit) ... we were there in late April, 2005 ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

That's about when I was there, but this dude did go diving in the front yard that day. I don't think he went snorkling. Is your ex-wife Asian? If she is, then it was you. OMG, that would be so funny if it had been you. I'm sorry I called you pompous if it was you. I remember seeing this dude and his ex going for a dive before breakfast and I called out "There go the gorilla divers." Was that you?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

That's about when I was there, but this dude did go diving in the front yard that day. I don't think he went snorkling. Is your ex-wife Asian? If she is, then it was you. OMG, that would be so funny if it had been you. I'm sorry I called you pompous if it was you.

LOL - yep, Cheng is Chinese. And how many people go on vacation with their ex-spouses? Must've been me ...

We were there with another couple, and the four of us spent the afternoon snorkeling. But don't be sorry ... thinking back on my reaction to finding out I'd have to wait a whole day to go diving, your description would've been accurate anyway ... hey, nobody's perfect ...

My only regret (if we indeed were there at the same time) is that we didn't make each other's acquaintance (well, perhaps the next day after I'd had a good nitrogen fix) ...

I remember seeing this dude and his ex going for a dive before breakfast and I called out "There go the gorilla divers." Was that you?

Hmmm ... we didn't get out the next day till after the orientation ... around 10:30 or so.

Was he a fat dude with a Dee rag on his head?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[JeffG]

LOL - yep, Cheng is Chinese. And how many people go on vacation with their ex-spouses? Must've been me ...

We were there with another couple, and the four of us spent the afternoon snorkeling. But don't be sorry ... thinking back on my reaction to finding out I'd have to wait a whole day to go diving, your description would've been accurate anyway ... hey, nobody's perfect ...

My only regret (if we indeed were there at the same time) is that we didn't make each other's acquaintance (well, perhaps the next day after I'd had a good nitrogen fix) ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

OMG

 

[timle]

Must've been me ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Thats too funny, the internet isn't as large as you think it is. Thought you were making fun of some random smoe and it turns out to be Bob!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Thats too funny, the internet isn't as large as you think it is. Thought you were making fun of some random smoe and it turns out to be Bob!

Well, my friends will be the first ones to tell ya I can be a bear to be around at times ... lord knows they're quick enough to tell me (and they're usually right).

And if it was me, I deserved it ... come to think of it, even if it wasn't me, I deserved it. I wasn't much fun to be around until they got my grumpy arse in the water and shoved a snorkel in my mouth ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)