How not to tick off your fellow divers

[jringold]

Hypothetical situation… Let’s say that 1) you are on your first boat dive 2)first time in salt water and 3)need to get your weight situated. You say something like “I know that I use 8 pounds in fresh water so I’ll start with about 15 pounds”. You jump in the water and do a buoyancy test and discover you need help adding or removing weight from someone on the boat. You add or remove some weight, do another test, and potentially have to fine tune some more. Now while all this is going on, everyone on the boat has had to stop while you get situated.


This can’t be what actually happens on a boat dive is it? I mean, everyone on the boat does not already have their weight dialed in so they just jump in and have at it. But if the above situation happens to even 50% of the divers on the boat, it looks like it would take lots of valuable minutes from the excursion.


Please tell me that I’m smoking dope and the above situation doesn’t happen – divers are not backed up waiting on some newbie to get dialed in.
**If you didn't read between the lines - I'm the concerned newbie**

 

[tbone1004]

the boats that I have gone out with have not required that much time, though for the first dive it can get dialed in using clip on weights if you're concerned. If you use 8lbs, you can calculate it for salt water via total displacement and you'll be good to go.... That said no one should harass you if you ask to do a proper weight check prior to descent, it's a lot better than if you go down really heavy or not heavy enough.

 

[Russoft]

What has happened on most boat dives I've done (the majority of my diving):

1.) Before departing the dive shop, I figure out how much I need based on my log book, body weight, tank (aluminum or steel), and exposure protection. The staff are usually good about helping with this.
2.) On the dive boat, there are extra weights. If you don't sink, you'll have the DM come drop weights in your BCD pouches.
3.) you lose your dive buddy at the beginning of the dive because they're weight was right, and you did a "negative entry" and they're at the bottom worried where their buddy is.
4.) On an AL80, you'll pop to the surface near the end of the dive and blow your safety stop. Good think you didn't go into deco, eh?

My advice, do some reading about getting your buoyancy right. Ask to use their pool or take the rental equipment down to the beach if you're really unsure. Or ask for a check out dive where you can debug these problems. I have slowly been collecting my equipment, and logging dives. I have enough data that I can usually get my weight spot on, but not always. I almost sank to the bottom recently because I forgot how awesome HP100 (100 cubic foot steel) tanks are.

 

[tkaelin]

Your getting weighted properly should not hold up the other divers getting ready and getting in the water. If you really don't know how much weight, ask at the shop or as soon as you get on the boat. They should be able to get you a good estimate within a couple pounds. Do your weight check in the water by the back of the boat. If you are a little heavier, adjust then or on the second dive. If you are way too heavy adjust now. If a little light, take a two pounder and put it in a bc pocket (and close the pocket) or if more needed make the appropriate adjustment. The best is to work this out before on the boat (such as with a shore check out dive) if this is possible.

 

[Macan]

It may happen on a training boat with an instructor conducting weight check. But rarely and hopefully not on a fun dive charter. If this is your first salt water dive and you're concerned about having the correct weights, you have several options as opposed to jumping in and holding up the other customers while getting dialed in.

1. Go to a dive shop and get them to help you set up your weights for salt water. Depending on where you dive, the shop instructor or DM may take you out on a shore entry or pier to do this. By boat if you're rich .

2. Talk to the charter boat's DM. Explain what you want. They'll probably queue you last and help you do a weight check after everyone is in the water. You'll probably miss that first dive though.

3. Do a rough estimate by calculating your displacement and weight required for salt water. Add those weights and find out when you do your SS if you're dialed in correctly. There is a formula for this.

Options 1 and 2 are the best, but you may have to pay for the extra service. Don't forget to add 4 - 5 lbs if you're doing a weight check with a full AL80 tank.

 

[KDAD]

How long would the whole weight check take. You should have a buddy so he can be in the water with you to help. Try to do some things to minimize the amount of time that the check takes. Practice it before you go so you are not figuring out everything as other divers wait. Have everything ready and be the first in. Make friends with the other divers and tell them ahead of time that you will need a few minutes to adjust your weighting so that they can take their time gearing up.

Also, If it is your first saltwater dive and you have equipment issues to sort out, schedule on a beginner dive site and the whole pace of the dive may be slower.

Lastly, be a good diver underwater. I don't mind waiting a few minutes for a guy to sort out gear. I do mind getting kicked in the head or divers touching stuff. Almost as much as guys on the boat with gear everywhere or worse trampling over mine. I make a conscious effort to be organized and take up minimal space and expect others to respect that. If your that guy and now I have to wait....

 

[Rooster59]

This is why I like a weight belt with pockets for recreational diving with any rental / unknown equip. If I think 10lbs lead will do the job, I can take more and be sure to have enough on the first dive. It's easy to put the excess back up on the boat before I drop, or leave it at the bottom of the anchor line if I sink like a rock. I've never held up anyone else on the boat. DM's are usually busy stuffing weights into other divers so they can sink. If your unsure of your weights, volunteer to be the first diver in the water.

XS Scuba Weight Belt

 

[jringold]

Thanks! This really helps. I **think** that our first two dives will be check out dives. We (my beautiful wife/dive buddy and I) are doing the PPB course so maybe those two dives will not have seasoned divers on it and delays would be expected.

I like the idea of getting some weights when I am in the water and shoving them in my BC pocket. My BC is weight integrated so having to pull out the pouches and mess with them would take extra time. So dropping them in the BC pocket if I need more then dealing with the weight pouches when I am back on board sounds like a good plan.

The other advise is good as well. I have been practicing in a 12 fsw pool and use 8 pounds but I’m sure the salinity is much less than ocean water. As far as having gear spread everywhere, my wife and I actually practice taking up as little space as possible when we are at the dive pool.

Getting excited about our first trip – 8 days to go!

 

[AdivingBel]

If it's your first ocean dive and you don't have a dive buddy (not insta-buddy) you may want to hire a guide or private DM, if available, for your first couple dives. They aren't that pricey in the big scheme of things. Then you can take your time and not worry about bothering anyone else's dive. You may also get a nice, local's tour of the dive site.

Also, don't get too hung up on getting your weighting perfect on the first weight check. If necessary, dive a bit heavy then adjust on subsequent dives. You don't HAVE to be weighted perfectly to enjoy the dive as long a you're in the ballpark and miss a little heavy. Have fun and enjoy your dive.

 

[Steve_C]

What AdivingBel said times 10.