No Gloves allowed? Is that standard

[AquaPixie]

Good Morning SB' Veiwers,

I have a really wiered question. :06:

I am taking a trip to Boniare in June, and my TA just informed me, that while diving in Bonaire, you can not use reef gloves? Is this standard practice?

My SO is very concerned about this as he is a relitivly new diver (tends to scull a bit), and has not dove in salt water is concerned that say should he need to reach out for stability or perhaps just by chance, they he may inadvertinly touch something that may bite/sting him. :11:

Is this policy in place for a specific reason? Is this the norm?
Any thoughts?

 

[fgray1]

The reason they do this is so you don't touch the reefs and things. They figure if you wear gloves you'll be temped.
If you find yourself needing to stabilize yourself use your finger tips and be careful where you place them.
Lots of places won't let you take knifes these days.
Fred

 

[Doc Intrepid]

There are some weekends between now and June.

Perhaps a little pool time or a few practice sessions locally may allow your SO to both improve his skills and build up his confidence! Your LDS should be able to arrange either.

You'll both feel better on vacation for it!

 

[HammerNoMore]

should he need to reach out for stability or perhaps just by chance, they he may inadvertinly touch something that may bite/sting him.

He should practice locally so he doesn't need to reach out and touch the reef.

Is this policy in place for a specific reason?

Yes, marine conservation. Responsible dive locations don't want divers destroying their reefs.

Is this the norm?

It should be. Unfortunatly, even in the places where it is required, it is rarely enforced.

http://divemar.com/NAUI/docs/sources/Coral_reef.html

 

[Doc]

My SO is very concerned about this as he is a relitivly new diver (tends to scull a bit),

Along with the other great thoughts, I would add that the surest cure for sculling is the interlacing of the fingers, holding your closed "praying" hands in front of you.

This behavior should be encouraged and signalled by you simply by miming the signal every time his hands come apart.

A peak performance buoyancy class would settle a lot of it.

If you're so close to something that you have to touch it:

a) You are too close

b) Your buoyancy skills need fine tuning


Advanced divers, divers that have the skill sets and abilities to withdraw a set of stowed gloves from a bc pocket and use them during appropriate moments, have other options. Not many divers can easily manage that seemingly simple task, but...

These very specific times might include iron shore heavy surf entries and exits, holding on to an encrusted downline in heavy current at a safety stop (there are better methods) or battling an enraged Octopus that is trying to kill you.

That would be about it.

 

[HammerNoMore]

Advanced divers, divers that have the skill sets and abilities to withdraw a set of stowed gloves from a bc pocket and use them during appropriate moments, have other options.

These very specific times might include ...battling an enraged Octopus that is trying to kill you.

Heh. If you have the presense of mind to withdraw and don gloves during a fight to the death you are a better diver than I....:god:

 

[AquaPixie]

I agree with the advise offered above, when I dive I tend to do a self hug hands to elbows and find it very effective.
I have suggested he try this but since it is coming from me, I get the "I know what Im doing attitude" hyeah20:


:1poke: I have suggested the PB cource, but for some reason he feels this is a waste of time. I took it and LOVED it.. i found it very helpful, especially as a refresher.

I have had the oppertunity to do alot more diving then him due to schedules. I also have been able to dive quit a bit with my DM as he is a freind so I have had alot of extra instruction, because of this. Our DM friend has made the same suggestions as myself but to no avial.

I want to be able to give input, but how do you do this when your SO does not want to take advise from you :475:

I certinaly dont want to tick him off
A Angry Buddy = a Bad Dive :scared:

Thought/comments welcome please

 

[DeputyDan]

You've got lots of issues in this relationship other than gloves.

Good luck - its evident you're going to need it !!!

 

[SDAnderson]

This is exactly the kind of diver that has led to the creation of the "No gloves" rule. Your buddy/SO needs to get good at his bouyancy control, lock his hands up where the can't do any harm and work on a couple of attitude points:

• Live reef is sacrosanct and should never be touched. Ever. There really isn't any arguing this point, those that don't understand it shouldn't be in the water.
• Divers have a responsibility to learn how to control themselves well enough so that they never have a need to touch the reef.
• Divers that "know what they're doing" usually don't. Sculling is a sure sign that the diver has substantial skill issues and the first step to improving is a willingness to learn.

Make sure he understands that underwater Bonaire is covered with fire corals and crawling with bristle worms and other stinging critters that will make him wish he'd kept his hands to himself. Fortunately, there is no current to speak of so he won't be able to blame any contact with the reef on anything but his own incompetence.

And good on you for being concerned! You know what motivates him, let him know that that old adage applies: if he wants to get a little, he needs to give a little.

 

[jhelmuth]

I agree with the advise offered above...
I want to be able to give input, but how do you do this when your SO does not want to take advise from you :475:

I certinaly dont want to tick him off
A Angry Buddy = a Bad Dive :scared:

Thought/comments welcome please

You guys need a heart-to-heart on the trust/share part of your relationship. Any partner that can't take advice from their partner either does not trust them, or has a personal ego that is much larger than the relationship. Either is a real problem in my opinion.
Otherwisae, just let him fail on his own. Failure is the best teacher.