Is "group" diving common?

[DiverBen]

I was merely asking if this was normal or abnormal for a dive trip.

I felt by informing everyone that this was my first dive I was clearly indicating that I would need help, which is why the divemaster stayed with me.

 

[Teamcasa]

This type of "group diving" is common in resort areas such as the Caribbean and Hawaii. The typical group is 6 divers and 1 DM.
....
Make sure that you know what the procedure will be and that you are comfortable with it. Otherwise don't do the dive.

There is a difference between a group dive and a guided dive. Most group dives are new or inexperienced vacation divers that like the OP just went with the flow. These resort type dives are usually very easy dive sites and like you said, they all just stick together under the leadership of the DM.

A guided dive is generally more experienced divers that have established buddy pairs and are diving a new site. The DM typically just leads the buddy pairs to the sights, helps them with finding the boat and lets the pairs ascend on their own.

 

[TSandM]

Having somebody sign your logbook is quite optional. Most of my dives are unsigned. Your logbook is really YOUR record; it's not a legal document

Group diving is common. I won't do it. I want a buddy who agrees to stay with me, and me with him. But I guess you have to ask for this specifically, if you don't bring someone with you, because a lot of people don't bother with it. I guess you just hope, if you have a problem, that someone is close enough to help in time. That doesn't work for me.

 

[sea nmf]

It is common, but not mandatory. In other words, pick a couple of people out next time that you can approach and see if they will buddy with you. You need a couple in case someone turns you down.

After someone agrees to be your buddy, then you must discuss with them what this means. Keep in sight, make and follow a plan, hand signals, gear review and check, what ifs. If your new buddy throws all that out the window once in the water (and, believe me, many do), find another buddy for the next dive.

 

[ucfdiver]

Yes it's common.

If you have to ask, there's a good change you shouldn't be participating, it's a bad idea.

 

[don Francisco]

Ben- At first appearance this seems more laid back than normal. Everywhere I've dived I've been asked to show the card, including where I got my nitrox & rescue certs. years ago. Failure to do this basic due dilligence can be a sign of a sloppy operation.

Other than that, it might (that's MIGHT giving maximum benefit of doubt) not be as bad as it seems. The other divers might have had prior dives & the divemaster might have known that they were buddy pairs. In fact the DM did stay close & was there as backup for you. It would have been nice if he told you he was going to be your buddy, and if he had asked if you've ever done a back roll entry.

In the end, all's well that ends well, but there's a lesson here for you. It's your responsibility to take care of yourself on dives. That's what certification is all about. You need to be clear & firm about things that affect your dives, and not assume that someone else would sweat the details.
For example, the DM did stay with you, but what if he hadn't? YOU should have made sure beforehand that he, or someone else would. YOU should have asked if there was anything you needed to know about back roll entries, or any other aspect of the dives.

In the final analysis, you need to know that you'll encounter a broad spectrum of diligence as to dive operations in the future and you & only you, need to take care of yourself. Don't assume anything, & don't wait to ask questions until you're 10 feet underwater.

I know it's hard to be insistant as a newbie, but the bright side is that your instincts are OK, and with a little more self confidence, you'll become a better, more outspoken diver. I'd be happy to dive with you anytime. dF

 

[Walter]

I was merely asking if this was normal or abnormal for a dive trip.

Not exactly. Your post is five paragraphs long. One sentence asks if it was normal. You asked if it was normal as part of a rather long whine about a number of issues.

I felt by informing everyone that this was my first dive I was clearly indicating that I would need help

Your first dive or your first dive after certification? If it was your first dive, I agree, you would need help. OTOH, if it was your first dive after certification, you have a card indicating you don't need help. According to your original post, it wass your fist dive after certification. You shouldn't need help.

 

[under water]

Because Walter doesn't need help on his first dive after certification.. doesn't mean other people don't. I used DM's for several dives after certification, even with a buddy.
They helped me with bouyancy, finding things, gear configuration and technique. The important point that keep's coming up in the responses is that it doesn't matter if group diving is normal or not, you need to understand what you are getting into before you start a dive as much as possible. Sharing that you were new was the right thing to do, not asking for a buddy when you have so little experience was not the right thing to do.
But you are here, you are asking questions and you seem to be absorbing the recommendations.. that's all good.

 

[DiverBen]

I appreciate all the responses and will definitely be more vocal.

At the time I was unsure of the situation but the other 5 divers seemed ok and they were all fairly new, most with less then 10 dives.

We had 2 dive masters and another staff diver in the water with us plus the captain on the boat.

I was impressed with how the dive masters watched the whole group. We were never out of sight of any of them.

I really should have asked what the procedure would be if there was trouble.

Based on how well this dive went I don't really have a problem with the group dive as long as we all are clear on procedure.

 

[Rhone Man]

It is definitely a rude truth that there are plenty of countries in the world which take a more relaxed approach to diver safety than you might expect in North America.

I remember a not disimilar experience in South Africa where I went diving with a local dive club (which really was a group dive) and as far as I was concerned they were frigging lunatics, charging out in ribs (fully geared up, other than the driver) into waves that would not be out of place in The Perfect Storm. I remember thinking never in life would people try this on back home. Still think it was a bloody miracle the boat found all the pairs of divers for pick-up. But we all survived nonetheless. I am sure that the club did the same again the following weekend and they all enjoyed it thoroughly.