Hotel Cozumel

[ggunn]

By prove you are a experienced diver does that mean they observe you on dives? Will your AOW card allow you a try without jumping through hoops? Is it worth all the fuss?

Yes, they will want to dive with you to judge for themselves; an AOW card really doesn't mean that much, since one can go immediately go for that card with little real diving experience.

 

[CRC]

There's enough on the dinner menu to where you can find something each night. Same with lunch, so it's not that big of a deal to do all your meals there. I don't think you can get a break if you don't drink alcohol there. I think it's one color bracelet for everything whether you use it or not. We did get one of the lockers in front of the dive shop. You get the key from the hotel front desk, no charge. We got a key to the safety deposit box in the room also, which they threatened to charge $150.00 for if we lost. Unfortunately, they only give you one locker per room. There were two of us and we filled it completely full. The lockers sit out in the sun all day, so by the next morning your stuff is pretty ripe. After a while, we started taking our wet suits and booties to the room to dry on the balcony overnight.

 

[DandyDon]

By prove you are a experienced diver does that mean they observe you on dives? Will your AOW card allow you a try without jumping through hoops? Is it worth all the fuss?

Count on proving yourself the first day, although I have seen exceptions. I told a Dive Palancar DM that my friend was brand new, so they let me follow the group while he held her hand - down to 100 feet!

I don't drink so I wonder if I would get a reduction in the all inclusive price? Did you use the lockers in front of the dive shop there by the dock? Did you have to give a key deposit?

You want a refund on your prepaid package? :laughing: Doubt that.

To use the lockers, take your own lock and key, with a spare left in your room.

 

[pilot fish]

Yes, they will want to dive with you to judge for themselves; an AOW card really doesn't mean that much, since one can go immediately go for that card with little real diving experience.

Yes, I've seen that. There really ought to be a 50 dive minimum to be able to go for AOW cert. I got my AOW after 85 dives. I've seen AOW cert while they are getting their OW cert. make no sense. :06:

 

[pilot fish]

There's enough on the dinner menu to where you can find something each night. Same with lunch, so it's not that big of a deal to do all your meals there. I don't think you can get a break if you don't drink alcohol there. I think it's one color bracelet for everything whether you use it or not. We did get one of the lockers in front of the dive shop. You get the key from the hotel front desk, no charge. We got a key to the safety deposit box in the room also, which they threatened to charge $150.00 for if we lost. Unfortunately, they only give you one locker per room. There were two of us and we filled it completely full. The lockers sit out in the sun all day, so by the next morning your stuff is pretty ripe. After a while, we started taking our wet suits and booties to the room to dry on the balcony overnight.

I remember the lockers being built into the wall, no air vents, go figure. I think it's fine to have all your meals there. It seems like less of a hassle and it's OK, not great, but eatable. I just don't rememker the key part for the locker. The SDB key is the same all over; lose it and pay through the nose. ugh

 

[pilot fish]

Count on proving yourself the first day, although I have seen exceptions. I told a Dive Palancar DM that my friend was brand new, so they let me follow the group while he held her hand - down to 100 feet!



You want a refund on your prepaid package? :laughing: Doubt that.

To use the lockers, take your own lock and key, with a spare left in your room.

That doesn't work with the lockers at Hotel Cozumel because the key lock is built right into the small locker door, which is flush with door surface.

A lady told me in Cos, last time I was there, that when she went for her OW cert there, a Mexican DM took her to 100 ft. As they say, safety is primarly your own concern, but what happens when you dont know any better? sheeeeeeeesh!

 

[DandyDon]

That doesn't work with the lockers at Hotel Cozumel because the key lock is built right into the small locker door, which is flush with door surface.

Yeah, I got to thinking - I've never stayed there, and their's could be different. I always like to take my BC, suit, booties to the room to dry on the patio anyway. Just left my reg & fins in the locker.

A lady told me in Cos, last time I was there, that when she went for her OW cert there, a Mexican DM took her to 100 ft. As they say, safety is primarly your own concern, but what happens when you dont know any better? sheeeeeeeesh!

Yeah, we get reports of some of them taking newbies well beyond 100 feet.

Rule #1: Follow your training.

Rule #2: Follow your training.

 

[pilot fish]

Yeah, I got to thinking - I've never stayed there, and their's could be different. I always like to take my BC, suit, booties to the room to dry on the patio anyway. Just left my reg & fins in the locker.
Yeah, we get reports of some of them taking newbies well beyond 100 feet.

Rule #1: Follow your training.

Rule #2: Follow your training.

It just illustrates how unregulated some of diving is, AOW with just a few dives,
[I think you should have 50 minimum dives to get AOW cert] divers being taken to, and over, 100 ft during some training. What is it they say, just because you are certified does not mean you are qualified?

 

[Christi]

It just illustrates how unregulated some of diving is, AOW with just a few dives,
[I think you should have 50 minimum dives to get AOW cert] divers being taken to, and over, 100 ft during some training. What is it they say, just because you are certified does not mean you are qualified?

I think you've missed the point pilot fish.

Agency standards are so much more complex than the level on the card regardless of the agency.

Bottom line is that an AOW card, whether from SSI, PADI, NAUI, CMAS, YMCA, FEMA, etc. does NOT mean anything as far as skill level assessment. Whether you have 25 dives or 125 dives, I (we = operators) still want you to demonstrate your ability in these conditions if you've never dove with us before. I've seen divemaster certified divers with 150 dives that I wouldn't trust to be my dive buddy on Paradise reef much less Punta Sur. I am more encouraged now than ever to post a dedicated discussion on skill level and the definition of same.

Certification level on your card (regardless of agency) offers you the right to prove that you've spent more money on your dive education that John Doe. The reality/proof that you are a good/better/best diver is totally up to you.


SHOW us, don't TELL us!

 

[alcina]

SHOW us, don't TELL us!

Loud applause!

And a good diver doesn't arrive knowing everything there is to know...a good diver listens to the "locals"!