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Yeah, that's been my experience on charters in the ocean/Gulf of Mex. -- Pre dive checks are up to you & buddy, not crew. I have not actually seen a duo do the "official" (PADI BWRAF, whatever) check except of course in classes. I do a cursory one with a boat buddy. Well, there was one time. During Rescue course our instructor pointed out 2 other divers doing the "official" check and advised us to keep an eye on them because they're probably very new.I’m assuming you were doing one of the charters out of Milwaukee? I’d like to know which one so I can avoid it! I’m in the Chicago area and haven’t hit any of the Milwaukee wrecks yet. Done plenty down here.
Which wrecks?
Did the DM expect everyone to follow him?
What do you refer to as “pre-dive checks?” Great Lakes boats are a different animal than those in tropical places. Great Lakes boats generally don’t babysit you. They give varying amounts of help depending on the charter op. They generally drop you on a wreck and then you’re on your own.
Divers on the Lakes generally know you need a safety stop, etc. They don’t expect to be led
about by the nose by a DM. Why wouldn’t you put your gear together before the boat left? Opportunity to do it before the boat starts rocking on the Lake!
It's been a while, but I can't recall crew advising people on safety stops. Again, diver's responsibility.
As for very first dive's problems-- Had tank slip. Bought Apollo Bio Tank Lock and never happened again (I'm not fooling around with wetting straps, cinching tight enough to bust a gut, buying a 2-strap BC.
Also, used tables-- having only been down 50+feet for maybe 3 minutes (rest of dive at 20') and figured I'd now die with a pressure group of about minus ZZZZ.