I think there are two sides to every story. My personal experiences on dive charters, is they are very rushed, and that can tend to leaving things out, like basic safety checks, etc. But that is the divers responsibility ultimately. I get it now, and know what to expect. In fact, knowing what I know now, on one dive boat, there were people spearfishing, while I was diving (a dive charter) and I am quite aggravated that I was put at the risks associated with that sport, I went to dive. Lesson learned, ask first if there will be such activities. My son just got certified, and I know he needs to practice things like checks, buoyancy, etc.. practice makes perfect. I certainly would never trust anyone else with that ongoing training and responsibility, outside of the classroom, etc., hence, he would not have been going anywhere out of my site.
Now, I am very sure things got heated, and it probably deteriorated from there, we've all been in the same boat, no pun intended. Now we would all be upset, at ourselves, the operation, the DM who was I assume being paid to baby sit, and so on in the heat of the moment. It seems like everyone here owns a little piece of this.
Consider this a lesson learned, and be ready to enjoy a dive trip by practicing when you can, where you can. I know, I know it sucks diving in cold, dark 1' visibility, but when you can be comfortable doing that, and after practicing, those hurry up and jump dives can be fun, once you are in the water. Now I can't speak to the dive operation, certainly I would love to give them a try, but I can say, that two particular charter dives previously it was more or less, "every man for himself"
Having said that, I practice those skills as much as I can, so I do not rely on anyone for anything, except a ride out and back, unless using my own boat. I certainly would not trust the life of my wife or kids to anyone else but me. I would take responsibility until they have demonstrated the skills previously mentioned, and then they too will not need anyone either. I've wasted a lot of paid for dives chasing a buddy and getting them back on the plan, etc. and that is quite annoying.
Certainly, if regular practice is not an option, and money is no object, there are plenty of private dive charters available where you can get 100% attention and guidance. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that if you can afford it. Anyway, we can all be thankful that everyone is OK. From an independent perspective, you own some of this, your daughter owns some, and possibly the DM, who was acting as three peoples buddy? Now I assume the DM was being a paid guide...
I hope I have not aggravated the situation here, but it just seems more productive to assess what went wrong, and apply (thankfully) what was learned to avoid such situations in the future. As I said, I do not know this operation, or you folks, and i'm not trying to disrespect anyone here.
Now, I am very sure things got heated, and it probably deteriorated from there, we've all been in the same boat, no pun intended. Now we would all be upset, at ourselves, the operation, the DM who was I assume being paid to baby sit, and so on in the heat of the moment. It seems like everyone here owns a little piece of this.
Consider this a lesson learned, and be ready to enjoy a dive trip by practicing when you can, where you can. I know, I know it sucks diving in cold, dark 1' visibility, but when you can be comfortable doing that, and after practicing, those hurry up and jump dives can be fun, once you are in the water. Now I can't speak to the dive operation, certainly I would love to give them a try, but I can say, that two particular charter dives previously it was more or less, "every man for himself"
Having said that, I practice those skills as much as I can, so I do not rely on anyone for anything, except a ride out and back, unless using my own boat. I certainly would not trust the life of my wife or kids to anyone else but me. I would take responsibility until they have demonstrated the skills previously mentioned, and then they too will not need anyone either. I've wasted a lot of paid for dives chasing a buddy and getting them back on the plan, etc. and that is quite annoying.
Certainly, if regular practice is not an option, and money is no object, there are plenty of private dive charters available where you can get 100% attention and guidance. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that if you can afford it. Anyway, we can all be thankful that everyone is OK. From an independent perspective, you own some of this, your daughter owns some, and possibly the DM, who was acting as three peoples buddy? Now I assume the DM was being a paid guide...
I hope I have not aggravated the situation here, but it just seems more productive to assess what went wrong, and apply (thankfully) what was learned to avoid such situations in the future. As I said, I do not know this operation, or you folks, and i'm not trying to disrespect anyone here.
