Diver Attrition

[Mike Veitch]

in my case here, diving rates just rise up. . . a lot of people i know, including me barely dive now.

i can get you a job as a full time dive model.... and editor...

doesn't pay so good mind you...

but you get to dive!

 

[Diver Dennis]

Terrible company though Ish. Those Photographers are pretty temperamental...

 

[ishbaby]

Interesting! we'll talk about that in private Mr. Veitch . . .

 

[serambin]

I have to agree that the above is probably the number one reason for the high drop out rate. Most of the local shops here do check out 300 miles away. They don't even try to encourage local diving, they don't do local charters to the gulf oil rigs which are only 90 miles away. All they do is sell certs and tropical trips.

Got to say I agree. Not one LDS in Shreveport or Monroe offers a connection to a rig dive, but if you want to go to Bonaire . . . Can't understand it.

Stan

 

[Mike Veitch]

Interesting! we'll talk about that in private Mr. Veitch . . .

uh oh.. now i am in trouble....

 

[TimK]

Thanks for all the words of support. I know I was overweighted for the OW cert dives at 40lbs for the fresh water and 50 lbs for the ocean. I was not going to do a repeat of the lake dive weighting show at the ocean so I just threw in another 10lbs and toughed it out.

I bought my own semi-wet Xcel Tri-density and took off 5 lbs for it. Using the 10% of body weight plus 10 lbs I'm still coming in at around 35 lbs + 5 for the AL80 = 40 So I was probably 5 lbs over for my last dive. My BC will hold 20 in ditchable pockets so I kept the other 25 on a belt -- which drives me nuts. I'm looking at buying a steel tank and getting a weight harness to eliminate the dive belt and shed another 10 lbs which shood put in the 30 lbs of lead range. With experience and some work, I may be able to shed a bit more.

Doc, it's funny you should mention skiing. I love that sport too and it was one of the major thoughts that I turn to when i start getting irritated at my clumsiness as a new diver. It took me 20 years and quite a few lessons for me to feel comfortable skiing some of the hardest runs in the West. I have to keep reminding myself it took me 3 ski trips before i could get off the chair without falling.

Again -- thanks for the encouragement. I have learned a lot from the experienced folks on this board and am always amazed at how much information and concern is shown by the community here.

 

[Thalassamania]

When we were working on a standards rewrite for one of the major agencies we tried to insert a clause requiring that there be, at a minimum, one confined water session (prior to going to open water) in the same full gear that would be used in open water. This recommendation was rejected by the agency as “non-competitive” since it would make their courses more expensive.

 

[eckybay]

The shop that I got certified with has you come in for a wetsuit dive in the pool before do the check out dives. You can try on the different rental wetsuits to figure out which one fits best and find out what the additional weight you need is. After hearing all the trouble that other people have with this, it makes sense to included it and I'm glad that I had that chance. Keep with it Tim, it's worth it.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

When we were working on a standards rewrite for one of the major agencies we tried to insert a clause requiring that there be, at a minimum, one confined water session (prior to going to open water) in the same full gear that would be used in open water. This recommendation was rejected by the agency as “non-competitive” since it would make their courses more expensive.

The only problem with this for us it that even if we could get time at the university pool the students have to rent their wetsuits from the local shop so they would have to pay for an extra day's rental. They are college students and often can't even afford to go on check-outs.

I always put them in the water at the site in skin diving gear and do a proper weight check with them. This gives them a chance to acclimate to the water temp as well as the buoyancy issues and restricted movement that are inherent in a 7mm suit. We add 6lbs for the AL80 once they are sinking gently on an exhale in skin diving gear and after the first dive or two they relax and are usually able to drop 2-3 pounds for dive #3.

Check-out dives should be fun and should not be rushed. I see that a lot, the instructors want to get done and get home or get these students finished and move on to the next set that have to be done today. I like to keep my groups small and plan enough time in the dive day for some socializing. Like some others here said, that's a big part of the dive experience. I like to have other certified divers around my group even when they are not actually diving with us. That shows my students that people do dive the local sites for fun and gives them a chance to meet potential buddies as well.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Walter]

Kinda makes one wonder about all the stats that try to tell us diving is safer than bowling.........