log book checks?

[Ex-Aquanaut]

My original point remains the same, I will not pay a Dive Op to limit my dive. I'll just find someone else's boat. I also know my limits and more importantly, I know the limitations of my dive buddy, my lovely bride! She is the final arbitrator on the depth and duration of the dive!Dave

Thanks for everyone clearing up the Scbua Diver/ Open Water Diver issue. I did indeed mean the actual PADI certification (or equivalent)

As for your comment Teamcasa, my post also remains the same. If you dive with us, you dive to the limit of your certification. You may very well be capable of more, but we have no idea of that when you just walk into our shop. If you couldn't accept that, we'd have no problem passing on your business.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

There are no dive police, only commercial operators who are stricter than others. The PADI OW manual reads;

Scuba Divers are limited to 12m/40'. As an Open Water Diver, limit your dives to a maximum depth of 18m/60'. Divers with greater training or experience should generally limit themselves to a maximum depth of 30m/100'. Divers with appropriate training &/or experience may dive as deep as 40m/130'. Plan all dives as no decompression dives and no dive should ever exceed the maximum depth limit for recreational scuba diving, 40m/130'.

Scuba Divers are limited to 12m/40'. Recreational diving is limited to 40m/130' (but the RPD shows ndl for 140'). The 18m/60' and 30m/100' depths are worded such that the diver limits his or herself. Diving below 130' and extending computers to mandatory stops longer than 3 minutes is not considered recreational diving.

Back to the op, sounds like not too many get asked for log books, but some do.

 

[scubaSteveAU]

Most Places ask you to fill out a form on the waiver that states Deepest dive to date , number of dives to date and date of last dive. This information all together gives a pretty accurate picture of experience. It's usually (deliberately) on the side where you sign so the dive operator has written proof that you've signed your name to the experience you've stated. As our sport "gets older" there are more and more divers whos' dives number in the thousands. Imagine carting those logbooks around on a dive trip. It's hard enough avoiding excess baggage costs when carrying dive gear!

 

[Goose75]

There are no dive police, only commercial operators who are stricter than others.

Not entirely. I'm lucky to live in a place that allows the industry to self regulate but that isn't true everywhere. There are some places with legislation. I've visited two countries that personal dive insurance is required by law. In California they have the infamous snorkel law. I'm sure there are many other examples through the world\states\counties\etc.

 

[CompuDude]

Not entirely. I'm lucky to live in a place that allows the industry to self regulate but that isn't true everywhere. There are some places with legislation. I've visited two countries that personal dive insurance is required by law. In California they have the infamous snorkel law. I'm sure there are many other examples through the world\states\counties\etc.

For the record, the infamous snorkel law is only one section of beach a few miles long, in Laguna. It's an obsolete city ordinance that no one quite knows what to do with. And yes, it's absurd. The rest of the state (one of the largest coastlines in the US) has no such rules.

I believe Canada has at least some legislated rules, and I recently heard that France does as well, but I've never dove either place, so don't take my word for it. Then there's places like Bonaire (no gloves allowed, IIRC?). So there are many places with rules and regulations.

In my experience, the Dive Op and the owner of the area being accessed (when private) usually have more immediate impact on what you can and cannot do than the government, though.

 

[Goose75]

In my experience, the Dive Op and the owner of the area being accessed (when private) usually have more immediate impact on what you can and cannot do than the government, though.

I agree. Most rules are the self imposed. I find they also have a reason behind them and in most cases are flexible when approached carefully. Sometimes it takes asking the phone be passed off to someone higher though.

By the way I ran into "no gloves" in the Red Sea as well as Bonaire.

 

[sarita75]

What is this "snorkel law" in Laguna? I am curious. Surprisingly, I have never been asked for my logbook, even though I always carry it around. Even on an "advanced" dive, I wasn't asked how many dives I had done nor my certification. Only wanted to see my c card and their inspection of it was, at best, cursory. Amazing, in my opinion, given the threat of lawsuits. Honestly, how ironclad are those waivers we all sign?

 

[Teamcasa]

Thanks for everyone clearing up the Scbua Diver/ Open Water Diver issue. I did indeed mean the actual PADI certification (or equivalent)

As for your comment Teamcasa, my post also remains the same. If you dive with us, you dive to the limit of your certification. You may very well be capable of more, but we have no idea of that when you just walk into our shop. If you couldn't accept that, we'd have no problem passing on your business.

Its is not what I’m capable of or my certification level that is the issue. Here is what I expect of a dive operation.
Ring… Ring…”Hello this is the DiveOp”. Dave: “Hello, do you have room for two divers on Tuesday?” DiveOp: “Sure, its $xxx per diver with 2 tanks provided and lead, We leave at 8:00 AM” Dave: “What kind of diving can I expect and what is required of me?”
DiveOp: “We are diving spot A and spot B today, spot A is a 60’-80’ foot max reef with little current and spot B is a 40’-50’ site with tons of life, you need to bring your C-card and log book.” Dave: “Fine, I plan on shooting some video, and my wife will shoot some still’s – is that a problem? Will there be a guide?”
DiveOp: “No problem with the cameras, Yes you will have a DM guide.” Dave: “Great! Here’s my credit card number, see you Tuesday morning.”

I arrive as planed, board the boat and fill out waivers and show the DM my well used logbook complete with 50+ dives, many below 80’, in the last year. He say’s “I’m sorry, your PADI Open Water Diver card does not permit you to dive on the first site.”

After someone fishes him back on-deck, he tells me its company policy. I’m now standing at the Dive Op’s counter asking for my money back and upset I was denied diving by a mis-interruption of PADI’s certification limits and why did I bring my logbook is it did not get considered?


Dave

 

[CompuDude]

What is this "snorkel law" in Laguna? I am curious. Surprisingly, I have never been asked for my logbook, even though I always carry it around. Even on an "advanced" dive, I wasn't asked how many dives I had done nor my certification. Only wanted to see my c card and their inspection of it was, at best, cursory. Amazing, in my opinion, given the threat of lawsuits. Honestly, how ironclad are those waivers we all sign?

In Laguna (Orange County, south of L.A.), there is a city ordinance that states you must dive with a buddy and you must carry a snorkel. It come to be interpreted that it does not have to be attached to your mask, thank goodness, but you do have to have one on your person. If a lifeguard sees you without one they can and will issue you a ticket. (Ditto for buddies, although I hear teams of 3 are ok).

I know a couple of divers who purposely duct tape snorkels to the backs of their tanks, in protest over this silly city ordinance.

 

[ClayJar]

"But ossifer, 'snorkel' is just another name for 'dip tube', and every single tank I dive has one."

(Hehe, or how about writing "snorkel" in marker on your inflator hose... it's the right size and shape, and it's got a mouthpart and everything.)