Paddles:
In July, My kids (13 and 15) and I are going to Cancun. They're warm water divers and me, newly certified in cold. I've never dived (dove?) with them as they usually dive with their dad.
I was wondering if I need to address certain issues, if any, when planning our dives. Can we dive the same dives? same depths? same lengths?
What should I watch for, if anything?
Paddles
No, you can't dive the same dives, same depths, same lengths.
You might, but it's not likely. Somebody is going to dawdle, or use air faster, or...
Is everyone ready for current diving? Is everyone aware of their depth? (I'm not talking about certification agency restrictions which are 99% unenforced :11: in Cozumel, I'm referencing the practical ability to monitor & control depth in placid water or current?
)
Cancun dive ops are, like most of Cancun, notoriously loosey goosey. Their liability issues are minimal due to their "laws" and local bias. I would learn to dive in warm water, let my kids be watched by a professional, and count on that person to show us all the cool stuff- and assist us with learning all important buoyancy skills.
Get them (& you) a real live DM from a major cert agency from a reputable shop- spend the money.
This will ensure their safety as best as one can (life is always a risk, at the best) and give them the best entre into the world we all treasure underwater. It will relieve you of a lot of stress- if they got into trouble there would be little you could do. A hired, personal DM is cheap insurance.
Any mis-step or trauma at this point could be hard to erase and better avoided.
These guys are readily available, inexpensive, and are very very good- if they are hired to watch 3 people. Inquire at your local op there as to hiring a personal DM, then be ready to bargain. BTW- he isn't paying for his tank or ride on the boat- don't play that one.
Knock your socks off, have a great trip. :10:
