Question:
A recurring theme in this thread appears to be that either the DM or crew are physically 'checking' cylinder valves are open prior to entry. Is this a common procedure? maybe more prevalent in certain regions?
The reason I ask is that I've never seen this on any liveaboard, day or charter boat I've been on.
We are talking about certified divers after all. Surely as a minimum they should all be able to assemble and test their own kit and carry out an effective pre-dive check by this point. Even by the end of confined water training, students are expected to have completed this exercise 5 times, with gradually less input from staff. By OW certifying dives I'm only monitoring checks and not expecting to actively intervene to the point of turning a divers air on!
Just sayin'