Do it myself gear set up! Please!

[UserNameBella]

I've been diving with a local company here where I live. And they have been great. There is only one huge problem with their service. It's VIP or valet, whatever it's called.

Twice I have almost jumped in the water and someone turned off the air I already turned on. Thank God I always check the SPG and inhale three times before doing the giant leap. The last time this happened I finished my first dive, got out of the water early ( my husband consumes air like he's on beast mode, so I'm often out of the water early ) I took advantage of the fact that the crew was still diving and switched tanks, did all my checks and sat down with my air on and ready to go for the next dive site ( they were two shallow dives with a very short interval ) When I went to get in the water, bam, no air. FFS. Someone turned it off in the twenty minutes between dive sites.

Also, I want to wash my own gear at the dive shop after ward, they won't let me. This gear is brand new, and it's mine. I want to wash it. I want the practice taking care of myself and I want to lovingly caress my expensive BCD after lovingly stroking my regulator under the rinse water, with the dust cap firmly on - double checked. These things are important to me.

How can I get this through to them without seeming like I don't trust them? Are all Valet services like this? The only thing I want help with is maybe hauling the tank.

 

[Imla]

Just say no!

I do make it a point to always reach back and check my that my tank is open before I jump. Once I had a DM try to check it. When he was done, I rechecked it. When I was done, he rechecked it. And we continued like that for 3 times, before another DM laughing came up to him and said he should just stop. She told him "she will never allow someone else to have the "last touch" of her tank". From then on, he left my tank alone

But seriously... just tell them you need the practice, and that you appreciate the help with carrying the tank, but that you want to get the chance to be properly familiarized with your gear. If the still don't get it, just tell them that they should get their paws off your gear "Or else"

 

[rivers]

1) Ask them not to touch it, simple as. 2). Just bring your kit home and rinse it there? In the off chance I actually get to dive in the sea, my kit gets a quick fresh water rinse with a hose before i pack it in the car, and gets a proper rinse/soak when I get home (or if I've been blown out the second/third day of a weekend, gets a nice long dip in the quarry on the way home).

 

[crabbyfiddler]

We dive in a couple of places where we entrust the gear set up to the DM and crew because we know yhem well. We still do a twice-over ourselves. We check each others air before entry. Gear cleaning we enjoy doing ourselves unless it's with our favorite op in Cozumel.

Two things come to mind for you, and they may be super obvious so forgive me.

1. Politely inform the op that you both take care of and set up your own gear. Some dive ops cleaning setup is in the employee only area. Ask them what their policy is when you book your trip.

2. Make sure that you dial the air back a bit after you turn it on. You probably already do that, but just in case...

 

[AdivingBel]

Just tell them your preference. I've yet to be on a valet service boat that will not accommodate the customers request. Question seems a bit trollish...I apologize if that is not the case. Safe diving.

 

[Hawkwood]

I've been diving with a local company here where I live. .....
Also, I want to wash my own gear at the dive shop after ward, they won't let me. This gear is brand new, and it's mine. I want to wash it....

Really? That seems extraordinary.

You don't provide a location in your Profile.

 

[Pinecube]

There is only one huge problem with their service. It's VIP or valet, whatever it's called.

Twice I have almost jumped in the water and someone turned off the air

I've heard of a few stories where a boat crew has shut off someone's air, or worse, turned it off then a quarter turn back on. I realize this is something they're paid to do and that maybe(depending on the boat) there is a lot of people to look after, but I'd hope that they would make sure that they're turning on someone's life support system, and not just twisting a knob assuming it was off to begin with...

As to your question, I'd just tell them I prefer to look after my own gear.

 

[gcarter]

We dive in a couple of places where we entrust the gear set up to the DM and crew because we know yhem well. We still do a twice-over ourselves. We check each others air before entry. Gear cleaning we enjoy doing ourselves unless it's with our favorite op in Cozumel.

Two things come to mind for you, and they may be super obvious so forgive me.

1. Politely inform the op that you both take care of and set up your own gear. Some dive ops cleaning setup is in the employee only area. Ask them what their policy is when you book your trip.

2. Make sure that you dial the air back a bit after you turn it on. You probably already do that, but just in case...

Why do people persist in this? it is neither super obvious nor required. I fail to see how it is even desirable.

---------- Post added February 15th, 2015 at 03:23 PM ----------

I've heard of a few stories where a boat crew has shut off someone's air, or worse, turned it off then a quarter turn back on. I realize this is something they're paid to do and that maybe(depending on the boat) there is a lot of people to look after, but I'd hope that they would make sure that they're turning on someone's life support system, and not just twisting a knob assuming it was off to begin with...

As to your question, I'd just tell them I prefer to look after my own gear.

And this is exactly why.

 

[tursiops]

LOL. I tell them everytime they touch my gear without my asking first, their tip gets cut in half. It seems to get their attention.
As to washing the gear, there may be logistical issues, but a VIP/Valet place ought to have figured out how to let you do it.

 

[Doc]

I applaud your "suck 3 times" check on your air, as you closely observe the SPG for any bad signs.

I would however suggest that you re-order your process and learn to perform this check just before you leave your seat. This will save you endless heartaches and potential exposure to drowning.

Much like firearm safety, if you take your eyes off it, always check it another time.

Sounds like your LDS Operation stretches the definition of "valet", which doesn't't mean anything unless it's combined with competency.