Is "group" diving common?

[DiverBen]

Hey all,

A few days ago I did my 1st post certification dives of Laughing Bird Caye in Belize. When I signed up to dive the dive shop never asked to see my certification card, which made me kind of nervous.

I asked the dive shop for an "easy" location as this would be my first real dive and the first time in open ocean. I then informed the 2 divemasters and the 5 divers this was my first time, and explained my experience.

When we got to the dive site the lead divemaster gave us a briefing of depth etc. We did a backwards flip entry off the side of the boat (which I had never done) and proceeded to go down as a group.

We were never assigned buddies and I was there solo. One divemaster did stay with me and watched over me which I was glad to have. We basically travelled in a large group.

Is this common practice? Also, I didn't have anyone sign my log book since no one seemed to have one with them.

Thanks.

 

[GrlEEEgrl]

If I remember correctly from a recent trip to Belize, this was the shop that had a sign outside that said "No cert - no problem! You ARE certified here."

 

[under water]

The first rule of diving is that you need to make sure that you are responsible for your own safety. It seems like you didn't demand from the dive charter the kind of information you needed to insure a safe dive. You needed to make sure that you in fact had a dedicted buddy as you have so few dives. You should have arranged with the dive shop to have a DM be your buddy. You were lucky that the DM was watching you. You need to rely on a plan, not luck.
Having said all that.. I would not dive with the shop if they did not ask for a cert card. It shows that they do not follow safe procedures. Did you sign a waiver form?
It's good that you are asking this question here, but you need to ask them before the dive.

 

[DiverBen]

I signed a brief 2 sentence statement that I had the qualifications to dive and wouldn't hold the dive shop liable.

 

[Hank49]

If I remember correctly from a recent trip to Belize, this was the shop that had a sign outside that said "No cert - no problem! You ARE certified here."

Where is this shop?

I went out with two shops here in the south recently and neither one asked for any card from me either.
Belize shops are a bit more...laid back? than the shop I worked with and other shops I went diving with in the Philippines and Malaysia. But Laughing Bird is a really mellow site and bottoms out at about 60-70 feet right around the island.

 

[DiverBen]

It was Splash Dive in Placencia, Stann Creek District.

 

[MeiLing]

I would not do a group dive under those circumstances. My friends and I group dive all the time. However, we are pretty experienced, dive with each other often and a lot of the sites we dive are more challenging to get in the water than actually being there. If we have new members come into the group, we do assign buddies and the rest of the group tends to watch over the new folks as well.

While, someone may not be our buddy, it pretty much would ruin a good day if someone got hurt!

 

[Teamcasa]

The first rule of diving is that you need to make sure that you are responsible for your own safety. It seems like you didn't demand from the dive charter the kind of information you needed to insure a safe dive. You needed to make sure that you in fact had a dedicted buddy as you have so few dives. You should have arranged with the dive shop to have a DM be your buddy. You were lucky that the DM was watching you. You need to rely on a plan, not luck.
Having said all that.. I would not dive with the shop if they did not ask for a cert card. It shows that they do not follow safe procedures. Did you sign a waiver form?
It's good that you are asking this question here, but you need to ask them before the dive.

Frank is right - You should have discussed a buddy plan with the Divemaster then reviewed the pre-dive signals and safety/emergency plans with your assigned buddy.
Next time, ask for a buddy - don't just go with the flow.

I signed a brief 2 sentence statement that I had the qualifications to dive and wouldn't hold the dive shop liable.

A release of liability does not keep you safe or relieve you of your responsibility of finding a buddy before splashing in. Just remember one of the side benefits of diving is that you get to meet new people. If you are shy, get over it and talk to the Divemaster and the other divers on board. Then -- Have fun!

 

[Charlie99]

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.

You should always skip any dive you are not comfortable doing. You can always check with others on the boat to see who is willing to buddy up with you.

When doing group dives, make sure that the ascent procedure is very clear. Sometimes the entire group will ascend together when the first diver reaches the agreed upon ascent pressure. Sometimes the first diver to ascent pressure will ascend solo, perhaps being watched from below by the DM. Sometimes all divers are buddied up and buddy teams ascend together. If you are uncomfortable doing a solo ascent, then find a buddy before the dive. My experience is that, although a few divers moan and groan about "cutting their dive short" when buddied up with a diver that goes through their air fast, that most divers remember when they were new and will gladly buddy up with new divers.

Make sure that you know what the procedure will be and that you are comfortable with it. Otherwise don't do the dive.

 

[Walter]

When I signed up to dive the dive shop never asked to see my certification card, which made me kind of nervous.

Why? Were you afraid you might not be certified? Checking c-cards protects the shop with regards to liability. It doesn't protect you.

We were never assigned buddies and I was there solo.

If you want a buddy, it's your responsibility to see that you have one. Speak up.

I didn't have anyone sign my log book since no one seemed to have one with them.

What's your point? Did you ask someone to sign your log?