Going on my first true boat dive trip, Suggestions

[PM-Performance]

Im going on my first true dive trip out on a boat in Mexico. When I went in Turks, i got a resort course and it was only me and the DM who went out. So it was cool. I didnt feel rushed or anything.

Now I am certified and since then have about 15 quarry dives under my belt. Nothing too crazy, I still am a new diver and working on things.

My concerns with going out on a boat now with people I dont know and lack of experience is I dont want to ruin anyones dive if I am slower to decend then others or whatever may come up. Also when you make it clear you are a newer diver, I am sure others will not want me as a partner.
Is it hard to keep up with the groups usually? Things to take into consideration when diving with someone on a boat you have never dived with before, other then standard signals and emergency plans and such?

I just really want to make sure I do not ruin someone elses dives and of course want to enjoy my dives with as little issues as possible.

Suggestions?

 

[REII]

First off, don't drink the water.

I think you will be surprised to find that a lot of the people will be vacation divers, as opposed to experienced divers who dive a lot. When you get to the boat, talk to people and ask them about their experience.

It will not be hard to keep up. The dive masters cater to all kinds of people with varying experience levels. Remember what you were taught, and think about what you are doing and you will be fine.

Have fun.

TOM

 

[Ocean One]

Relax!! If you aren't afraid to make contact with new people, once the ice is broken the rest will take of itself. I' doubt that'll you'll be the only new diver on the boat. As for boat diving....a lot will depend on the diving operation and divers (ie size of boat, number of divers, divers experience level, water conditions etc.). Take only what you know you will need to dive and be sure it works. Even though you might have partner, be sure to take care of your self first!!!!!

 

[Thumper517]

Just take your time when getting ready. Don't worry about effecting your buddies dive. He may effect yours as well. Equalize early and often. Don't eat too much Mexican food the night before.

The Divemaster will brief you before you go in the water. Stick to the plan and follow the divemaster.

 

[fishballer]

if you're doing two dives, bring a sweater or something warm for the surface interval. even in warm weather, the wind feels pretty cold.

bring a small dry box (i use my mask box) to keep stuff in.

don't kiss the sharks.

 

[rookers]

#1 rule... return in good health

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

Most experienced divers, I would hope, would welcome the chance to help a newer diver on their first true boat dives. If not, they are probably jerks that would be a pain even if you has a thousand dives. And, to be honest, in diving, as in golfing, I have yet to be paired up with a jerk. It's weird, maybe I've been lucky (or maybe the sports attract a different sort of person), but you tend to meet good people on boats, at the quarries, and on the first tee.

Not that my experience is vast, but I've also not seen anyone's dive "ruined" by another diver. On my last trip to the keys, a diver was paired with another diver who was seasick before he went in and didn't last ten minutes underwater, either --- the lone diver formed a threesome with another pair. On the second dive, he was given one of the boat crew as the other diver never recovered enough to dive that day.

Remember --- 1) you paid your money just like everyone else 2) no one was born with 200 dives in their logbook 3) if you can dive in a quarry, you sure as heck can dive in the ocean 4) with 15 dives, you could well be one of the "experienced" divers (I've been on a boat where everyone but me was a student, a resort diver, someone taking a refresher dive after ten years out of the water, or had just been certified the day before).

Some final tips --- 1) if you are still concerned, ask about hiring a DM or guide on the first few dives, it usually isn't very expensive, but you have to let most operators know in advance (or sign up for a course); 2) take your time --- if you are worried about descending, be the last group in the water so, if you need extra time or weight, you don't hold other groups up or have to struggle in front of a crowd (it helps to be a little heavy the first dive --- anxiety is negatively buoyant!); 3) make sure you know the experience of your buddy, who is doing the navigating and where the currents will take you --- listen to the pre-dive briefing --- the ocean isn't a quarry and you want to be back at the boat with enough air; 4) it isn't a race, a pair goes as fast as the slowest swimmer --- if you feel you are too slow, take a camera and take lots of pictures! Everyone knows the camera crowd stops more frequently than a greyhound bus; besides, on a reef site, what you have to see here is usually not much different than what is...........over there. Wrecks require a little more swimming, but you can't see everything in under an hour, so don't try. Some dives, I don't stray more than 100 ft or so feet from the descent line, just swimming lazy squares.

So relax.

 

[ScubaTexan]

One word: Dramamine

 

[trigfunctions]

One word: Drammamine

Ditto - even if you think you don't need it.

 

[Captain CaveMan]

Ditto - even if you think you don't need it.

I can agree with that....


Just remember your on vacation HAVE FUN!!!! I've been diving Mexico for 3 years now and to tell you 15 dives under your belt you will have plenty of experience. Listen to the DM and you will be fine. Most divers will be just cert and there will be a few that dive back home. Last year I went on a dive in Coz with the wife and to find out they need DM's there was to many divers on one boat so they asked me to help keep the group together. Since I did the dive the year before I was happy to help. They gave me the dives and every thing worked out great and safe. All of the dives were just vacation divers and had not been diving for 3 years so the dives were all over the place but we all had fun. The best part was lissening to the divers afterword talking about the dive. ( Isn't that what its about)