First dives after OW cert - lesson learned

[scubabunny]

Hi Chepar,

Sorry for your VERY bad experience! Know how you feel!

If you booked the dives with a "tour operator", you not only paid the "tourist" price...you got the "tourist" experience. Especially if you are on a boat with intro divers. They are in the water, and out. That is usually the safest thing..for everyone. They just want the experience of being underwater. I do feel bad for your friends that didn't get the one on one training, though.

Most tourist places like Hawaii and Guam and tourists rates and local rates. At our shop, the local rates mean you have bring your own gear to the boat (including tanks) and you have no guide. No frills...but much cheaper.

Also, alot of shops have dive boats just for the "locals". Like AliKat...she booked on base..so she wasn't put on the cattle-boat. Some of our boats for locals are booked full, but these are people that know what they are doing, so there isn't a problem.

Your best bet is check at all the dive shops, and see what they offer for locals. I will ask at work at see if I can get some good shops for you too go to.

Don't give up hope!!

 

[AliKat]

I am visiting Oahu on business soon, and am planning some diving, so I have been surfing the WEB looking for some good dive sources. I wish I could remember the site, but there was one operation that offered a dive club. This would be a great idea for you. These operations make their money off of the tourists, but the clubs are locals. You usually pay an annual fee, but you will get discounts on boat dives and sometimes even gear they sell. The operation will usually have special dives every month (boat and shore) that are for club members only. When I lived on Guam 10 years ago, I belonged to MDA's gold dolfin club; its a great way to dive when you are in an area that caters to tourist diving.

I know Ocean Concepts also has a club, but then again, I'm not sure if it is limited to military or not. Might want to check them out.

 

[AliKat]

Chepar,


Captain Bruce

Try this site.

PS; sure hope this wasn't the operation you just dived with.

 

[another-steven]

Chepar - what a terrible first time experience.

Here's my two cents. Took a Princess Cruise Sept. 23, 2001. Signed up for two dives at the pursors desk. Dove Grand Cayman with about 10 ppl and fed sting-rays to boot! Depth was only 28ft. Loved it. By the way, that was my 3rd OW dive.

Next dive was in Cozumel. Boat again had about 10 ppl and did a wall dive (man, that current was fast!). Got 2 dives/tanks out of that charter. Max depth was 92ft.

Each charter offered snacks, water, juice, etc. I was all by my lonesome, yet didn't have trouble finding a buddy (divemaster dove with me).

Thanks for listening to my first time dive experience outside a classroom/quarry environment.

 

[chepar]

Actually, I just recently joined the Ocean Concepts dive club - haven't gone on a club dive yet, the last couple ones have been a deep, shallow and shallow dive (the last being a night dive)- I don't feel up yet to 2 out of the 3 dives. Hopefully soon they'll go on a dive with the last 2 being shallow, but both in the day. After I take my AOW course in the later spring I'll be better prepared for the more advanced dives.

Captain Bruce's wasn't the operator I went with. However, the couple I became friendly with has gone diving with them before, and seemed to like it. I believe I will probably try to go out with them in a couple weeks.

Thanks for the help!

 

[ebbtide]

really sorry to hear of your disaster ,
get wet agin tho its a really enjoyable sport once you relax and are comfortable

 

[scubabunny]

Hey Alikat,

I work for MDA now! Do you ever make it back to Guam? We still have the club...but its the "5 star" club now. Was the shop in Agat when you were here, or in Piti?

 

[AliKat]

scubabunny,

I was there just before Christmas. The instructor that is doing my DM course is moving there in June (her husband is getting stationed there next month). So I'm sure I'll be visiting.

Is Larry Klinehoffer still around?

 

[ptc]

Hi Chepar,

It was interesting reading your thread regarding diving in Oahu. We are planning to be out there over the Spring (Easter) break and I would love to do a dive. I am new to diving, just been certified last year in August, but have not been diving since. So just reading your thread just made me more nervous as to which dive shop would be reputable and safe to dive with.

I liked your idea about diving shallow especially right after getting your OW cert. I feel the same way, I want to definately dive shallow to begin with. Any suggestions on dive shops with very PATIENT dive masters would be great to know.

Maybe we can touch base when I get into town. I'm originally from Hawaii, have tons of relatives there, but haven't been back to Oahu for the past 6 years. I'm looking forward in getting a good experience diving again.

 

[Rooster1]

Sorry your trip turned out to be a mess. Chalked it up as a learning experience on tourist dive operators.
I would take action as has been mentioned here to report this to the agency they work under. Also it is better to do some research on the dive shops where you will be via the internet such as message boards like this or review sites to find out about who to dive with. I have spent some time in the Caribbean and I have learned I can't trust anyone unless I have dove with them, anyone else I have to treat with suspicion. Find out as much as you can ahead of time and remember all operators are in business to earn a living,$$$$$$ You have to try to determine who wants your money and could care less about you after you sign the waiver, and who wants your money and wants you to be safe and have a great time. You need to seperate the latter from the first. Sorry again about your bad experience with a cattle boat operators, money hungry animals.:nono: