Diver etiquette

[kevindsingleton]

Gabriel, sorry I am late to thread. Though I am biased, new divers can VERY MUCH benefit from two little books available on line as paperbacks or ebooks(cheap). The Scuba Snob's Guide to Diving Etiquette, and the same title, Book 2. The books are intended to be humorous, even sarcastic at times, but contain a lot of good information on how to be a polite and better diver, in and out of the water. Fair disclosure requires I tell you my wife and I wrote them. DivemasterDennis

I recently read both books, and can confirm that those who read them will have a much better grasp of what is meant by "don't be "that diver".

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Hello,

If there is already a thread about this, please forgive me and please let me know the link.

I'd like to know from the more seasoned divers which are the most common etiquette mistakes newbies make, i.e. what I shouldn't be doing while on the boat and/or diving. Anecdotes to illustrate the subject are highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Gabriel.

Nice Roo

Ok a little local knowledge since you say

while on a boat and/or diving

If you are diving Bare Island.. please keep gear and tanks between your car and the cement cubes. The locals get really cranky if they can't use the footpath without stubbing their toes, tripping over or tip toeing through your gear. The locals pay the rates and can impact our access to the site. Clear the entry and exit points as quickly as possible similar to what has been said about the dive boat entry/exit. Please let divers in full wet gear come up the stairs first.

If you are at Shelly use as little space as possible on the platform and clear the showers quickly.

Clifton Gardens.. those fishermen get cranky.. stride in and get clear. Under the pier is safer.

Clovelly Pool has restricted hours for scuba divers.

Dive boats here are a bit different normally you should be in your exposure suit, BCD and regs attached to Tank, mask in fins and carry on only towel, camera and mask box for glasses or camera. We don't tend to carry dive bags or crates on the smaller boats you will dive in NSW.

 

[Jax]

Everyone keeps saying "keep your kit / gear together and use a small space". But what does that mean?

Some people sit their tanks and take off their gear and that is that. Your spg, 2nd stages, straps, etc. are all over.

Wrap the BC in, and either clip off your regs and spg (always good to tie a clip on regs) so the regs / spg are not in danger of being broken, or tuck them into the arm holes.

Get your fins neatly under the seat. Some people bring a small (12x12x16) rubbermaid box for the mask box, booties, etc. If not, put your stuff in a mesh bag or at least stack it neatly under your seat.

Unpack and layout when you get on the boat, so you aren't part of the fray when the 10-minute warning is given.

Admit uncertainties and request checks - people are glad to help, and this is your life.