divers and smoking

[moon_light_diver]

i've been a diver for almost 10 years now, so this year i decided to go for my davemaster course, i found a dive center to do the course, they are friendly enough
i started the course, but i feel i cannot continue as the instructors all smoke, i don't like smokers at the best of times, but at each session when we get sat down everyone lights up
so i have quit, the course cost me a lot of money,and i am very disapointed, but i am too shy to go in there and complain, after all if that's how they want to run business, who am i to tell them otherwise
i also signed up for a few club trips before i really got into it, the thought of driving long distances with a bus full of smokers, it didn't appeal
i know i should complain but i don't really know how to go about it, i half expect it is my problem as i am the one who has quit
they've tried to make contact, but as i have no idea what to say to them i have not replied
any idea's

 

[ZzzKing]

You should be up front with them. They may not be aware how much the smoke affects you and they won't know unless you tell them. Most smokers will respect your desire to not have to breath their smoke and will at least move down wind. If they aren't intested in your comfort and well-being, I would ask for my money back and look for another group of instructors.

As far as the trips are concerned, you could follow them in your own vehicle. You may find that a few of the others would like to ride with you as well for the same reason.

 

[fairybasslet]

I don't blame you at all. I am very allergic to cigarette smoke. It gives me a headache. I would just be honest with them. I know smokers and can be really defensive, but if you explain your reactions to the smoke in a nice way, I'm sure they'll understand. However, I don't think you should just avoid the issue and have them keep calling you for an explanation. That's kind of rude.

 

[Kev7]

All I can say is be glad you quit!!! I quit also and I am very glad I did! I know I couldnt make a long road trip with smokers in the same vehicle. Also I dont hang around if someone is going to smoke by me. Breathing is required to sustain my life , smoking is not.

 

[drbill]

I quit smoking 30+ years ago, but did smoke for about half of my early diving years. You don't state your location. I know it is very common for divers in Europe and Asia to smoke, even while topside during diving.

I would certainly raise the issue directly and let them know in nice terms how it affects you. Or you could come to California where smoking in public indoor places is largely forbidden.

 

[Eagle-scuba]

The sad part is that during the DiveMaster course..you learn the harmful affects of smoking and physiology in relationship to you as you breathe and dive, referencing the Encyclopedia of Diving..PADI.... it is hard to understand why divers continue to smoke , especially after completing that paticular sectiona of the course...I use to ...UNTIL THEN...lol but not any more......some how the graphic information I was shown along with the desire to be a HEALTHY Diver ,prompted me to stop.....never felt better...I really think that if diving is as much a passion with you as it is to me, then you should continue your education, ask that the instructors respect your rights as a non-smoker in confined areas,....trips also....and once you are done ...MOVE on....to new dive shops and or other dive groups,.....nothing says that you have to stay with the group that trains you....and dive triops are everywhere.......see ya` under...

 

[ScubaCo]

Also in Europe and Asia it's normal (now) to respect people who Don't smoke.
The policy here in Holland (since a year) is that smoking in public places is forbidden aswell. In bars and restaurant it's still allowed, but in airport, trainstations, government building etc it is Not.
If the people from the diveorganisation you doing the divemaster course with are Open and willing to help their customer (and that's you), I think they will not feel offended, and when they Do feel offended it's probably not the right organisation to join with..

 

[RonFrank]

R they smoking indoors in a closed environment?

IMO, I'd tell them a small lie, and say that you are allergic, and it makes you physically sick to be in a smoke filled room.

If they are lighting up outside, I'd suggest just staying out of the way of the smoke.

In any event, you can't just stick you head in the sand and ignore them. Actually I guess you CAN, but IMO that is a very poor way to live life.

At the very least, tell them that the smoking is bothering you. However my suggestion for a little white lie is to motovate them beyond just thinking you are being critical of smokers, and turn it into an issue for them that regards your health, not just something that annoys you.

Good Luck with all this!!!

 

[Whatgoesdown]

Raises a few issues beyond the health concerns. If you paid for your DM course, you are a customer. If a customer complains about smoking it is the shop's responsibility to ask the smokers to stop smoking around you. To have instructors or DMs smoking in plain sight just looks plain unprofessional. The others should start getting some practice in because the smokers where I work may have to do without for 8 hours at a stretch. On my boats, only customers are allowed to smoke, not the staff, and only at the back when the boat is moving.

 

[CBulla]

Dude! I'd be chatting about that with the shop! Ciggy smoke and I don't get along well so I'm taking a note on this and will be definitely asking about training policy with any place I do training with.