Does your dive boat staff setup your gear?

[one90proof]

My daughter and I are newly certified and have done all of our dives with our LDS owner/instructor/charter boat captain. He runs a 6-pack and always has one deck hand along for the ride that works for tips.

On our last outing the deck hand insisted on setting up each diver's rig and told us all to "sit back and relax" while we headed out to the dive site. I know he is very capable of setting up gear properly and I realize that he feels that he is just giving great customer service but I couldn't help thinking that this just isn't right.

As new divers, my daughter and I NEED all the experience we can get with ALL aspects of diving. By letting someone else setup our gear we cheat ourselves of that particular learning experience.

In any event, I did not let him do it. He lightheartedly argued with me to let him take care of everything for us. I thanked him for his offer and just informed him that we needed the practice and would be taking care of our own gear.

Am I wrong for not letting him "do his job"? Is this common on charter boats for the staff to setup your gear? I don't think I could ever get used to letting someone else setup my stuff for me.

 

[Harbour]

Many will offer to set up your equip but I always choose to set mine up personally.

Harbour

 

[Gary D.]

The Dago comes out in me.

You Toucha my gear I breaka you face!

No way. Do you want to rely on him doing it right?

Next time you fly have a pilot that isn't going to be on the plane do the pre-flight check list.

Gary D.

 

[Rick Inman]

Guys who work on boats that have a majority of newby/vacation divers seem to quickly tire of the problems associated with improperly set up gear. So they would rather just do it themselves, and I don't blame 'em. With that said, here is why I will set up my own:
I don't use rental gear, and I know my gear better than anyone.
No one can know exactly all the nuisances with my set-up I prefer, and that are continually changing as my diving changes.
It's life support and I don't trust it to deck hands. I'll pack my own chute, thanks.
Continuous practice equals increased muscle memory.
I ENJOY playing with my gear. It's part of the dive for me.

That said, I always insist on doing it myself. I might let them switch-out to the 2nd tank, but I still end up loosening the tank straps and readjusting the tank hight.
But hey, that's just me. Some guys would rather just enjoy the boat ride.

 

[Don Burke]

Am I wrong for not letting him "do his job"? Is this common on charter boats for the staff to setup your gear? I don't think I could ever get used to letting someone else setup my stuff for me.

It is not common around here.

The polite way around this is to ask him to check your work after you set your gear up. That gives him the impression you respect his knowledge, whether you mean it or not.

It is not in your best interests to tick these people off before the dive.

After all dives are done, let your conscience be your guide.

 

[voop]

I am of the "noone but me touches my gear" school.....so....

You did right in politely insist on setting up your own gear. When I find myself on a boat where the staff offers or expect to set up my gear, I humoristically ask them for a monkey-wrench and a hammer so I can go tune up the boat engine to return them the favor Most of them giggle, get it, and then leave me alone.

I always make a point out of telling the DM "Please don't touch my gear, unless asked". If you run into a DM, who (despite the previous statement) just wants to "check that my valve is opened" just before the giant stride, the following tends to ensure that it happens only once: back off just enough to not fall into the water, but not enough to let others get in, then take off the BC and recheck everything - CAREFULLY, slowly and deliberately. Then kit up again, slowly and deliberately. Repeat until DM gets it -- either by himself or aided by the angry divers waiting to get in the water who start throwing loose equipment

(yes, one should be able to reach ones own valves too.....)

 

[DennisW]

No one other than me sets up my gear. If someone tries, I tell them please don't. I have had it happen before and I have been polite, but firm about the fact that it is my gear, I know it, you don't.

 

[Diver Mike]

As your gear is YOUR life support, do you really want to trust someone else (regardless of their good intentions) to set it up for you?

While a lot of boat crews will offer, if you refuse (politley) they will let you do the set up yourself.

I consider gear set up, inspection and operational verification as the single most important part of my pre-dive activities. I hope you do too.

 

[Mrs Mares]

What I would suggest you do is put your kit together yourself, but then ask the deck hand to help you on with your gear, and then tip him for that. No way would I let anyone (except maybe my hubby) put my kit together.

 

[DandyDon]

It is not common around here.

The polite way around this is to ask him to check your work after you set your gear up. That gives him the impression you respect his knowledge, whether you mean it or not.

It is not in your best interests to tick these people off before the dive.

After all dives are done, let your conscience be your guide.

What a diplomatic solution...!!

I've ran into these guys in Cozumel and Belize, and some of them got defensive when I asked them to not do it; as mentioned - "It is not in your best interests to tick these people off before the dive." I'd let them do it, then I'd check their work very closely.

How about this: Anytime a crew member starts hooking up your rig, or tells you that he will, tell him you need the practice, but you'd appreciate him checking your work later.

Also watch out for crew members checking your tank valve. I'm pretty sure this is how one of our group's air got turned off, then half a turn on, for her 140 foot dive, failing at 80 feet.