Instructor shoving people off lines

[Clammy]

It's only speculation that the instructor was with the operator who owns the buoy. Everyone uses those lines all the time and Dr. Bill was the one that asked me if it was a local instructor because, on occasion, they get possessive of their lines. There was no real way for me to tell underwater. I think he was pushing us off because his students were descending on it, not necessarily because the line belonged to him. I talked to one of the operators, CDC, and they said they did have a class out but only two students. This guy had about 5.

 

[Teamcasa]

I'd have a conversation with that instructor he would not forget. I'm glad your buddy ended up safe.

 

[Tom Winters]

That's a real "Oh wow." I would have inadvertently snagged the guys' mask in my hand to express my displeasure with his actions. Then we could have amicably discussed the evolution on the surface as I graciously returned his mask. At least in Florida and Hawaii, lines in the water like mooring balls or whatever belong to first come, first served unless it's a designated anchorage with assigned moorings.

 

[blue sky]

Once the line is placed out there I wonder what ownership rights are actually retained, especially when a "non-owner" is attempting to use it in a potentially life-threatening emergency.

Not living on that west coast I don't know the local rules. Are those lines and floats permitted by NOAA, California or just another unidentified obstruction to navigation?

 

[jar546]

Yeah, yank his mask off and drop it. He will then get the picture.

 

[farsidefan1]

Reason # 5 tp carry a dive knife. Personally I'd be back every week and see if he returns. He should be reported to whatever agency he works with. Honestly, how hard is it for even a brand newbie to bypass someone hanging on a line? If it's my buddy (usually wife) hanging onto that line in an uncontrolled ascent situation I would simply not have allowed it. I doubt the guy would be ready to go Thunderball on us. Perhaps a simple signal that your buddy was not "ok" would have sufficed. Hopefully. Given his actions I'd return to "the scene of the crime" since the perpetrators always return (I read that in some dime novel once, gotta be a better source of truth than the internet) and learn his name. NO need for a confrontation which might get violent. Just get his name and report him. If he is an instructor there he will return. Often.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Mask off drill.:cool2:

 

[JKPAO]

Divers coming up a line should have right of way! As others have said it is not that hard to go around or pass someone on a line. Instructor was a tool and (just a guess) really doesn't have a good handle on diving!!!!
See you topside! John

 

[mselenaous]

Not living on that west coast I don't know the local rules. Are those lines and floats permitted by NOAA, California or just another unidentified obstruction to navigation?

Blue sky, Casino Point is a designated dive park bouyed off from navigation. Great kelp forest diving, easy shore entry, with depths from 30-100 ft, so many many classes are conducted there (I taught quite a few there when I worked in SoCal). Some of the shops have placed permanent buoys for training students on descents and ascents. Generally everyone is fairly cordial about sharing them. In fact usually everyone I've met at the park was civil and respectful of other divers. That's one of the reasons it is a cool place to hang out. Glad that it isn't often we see instructors with self-inflated egos thumping their chests and marking their turf.

 

[Tom Smedley]

I would just write it off as the guy was just a jerk then go forward with life.......