OW Diver time requirements

[limbo]

Tim,

There may indeed be a difference in what is done in 'real life' and what the standards are.

 

[h90]

I feel very encouraged by the responses here and I agree with the above quote but the plot thickens. This instructor actually called his IDC trainer on Ko Tao who verified that it was OK for them (certified divers) to dive relying on a DM's timepiece. I telephoned my dive guru in Phuket who said it was OK as long as 1 of the buddies had a timepiece.
To make it even more interesting the instructor's D6 flooded with water and he made 2 dives the next day (w/ these same OW divers) none of which had a timepiece. Maybe it has just become so commonplace that we have forgotten the actual requirement and have interpreted it for our own benefit. Anyways my embarrassment is relinquished by the responses here. Thanks for that.
Cheers

I actually don't like it, but many dives at the very popular places (Pattaya for example) will be performed every day the same. The same way, the same 45 min and the DM has the same pressure in the tank at the end of the day (after doing 3 month every day (or every third day) the same dive.
I don't think it is no fun, but I don't see much risk at the shallower dives.
At some Thai companies with Thai customer I saw guides who are doing that without any certification.
Don't misunderstand me: I don't agree with it, but I have seen that many times.

 

[TimA]

Tim,

There may indeed be a difference in what is done in 'real life' and what the standards are.

Thanks Limbo,
As long as I know (or thought I knew) what the standards are, I know what can be done in "real life".

 

[stevenl]

There can be a big difference to what students are required to learn (PADI sets standard for training) and how things are interpreted/done after the training.

PADI does not set standards for fundiving, and if they want to go diving just relying on the instructor, that is their choice.

For the DC it might be a good idea though to have them sign the standard safe diving practices statement of understanding.

 

[katdiver]

It's pretty much the norm here where resort divers give away control to a guide who sets the time/depth limits as part of the brief. Even when a customer has had the option of renting a computer, the answer has been to follow the guide, as the guides computer has already clocked up some extra no fly time, thus more conservative. You always have the option of reviewing your time/depth limits with your tables anyway. Any chance you get, multilevel and give them a nice extended stop by cruising around the shallower corals.

 

[Bowmouth]

Depending on (one or more of) a buddies/guide's/Instructor's dive instrument(s) is imo not a great thing to do. I strongly believe that divers should always carry all their own instruments/tools/equipment themselves (and then some back-ups!).

The moment you stick your head under the water you're alone and responsible for yourself regardless with who and how many people you're diving.

 

[TimA]

For the DC it might be a good idea though to have them sign the standard safe diving practices statement of understanding.

These 2 OW divers did sign the PADI "Standard Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding" which states only "Have a means to monitor depth and time underwater."

Thats a big gray area IMHO.

 

[TimA]

"Have a means to monitor depth and time underwater."

Further inquirers: "means" means an instrument and "monitor" means
: to watch, keep track of, or check usually for a special purpose.

So assuming no ambiguities here, after signing the PADI "STANDARD SAFE DIVING PRACTICES STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING" each and every PADI certified diver is required to have their own time monitoring instrument.

I win; he loses.

Although with all the "butt smooching" he must have gotten a pretty good tip.

 

[lord khram]

There can be a big difference to what students are required to learn (PADI sets standard for training) and how things are interpreted/done after the training.

PADI does not set standards for fundiving, and if they want to go diving just relying on the instructor, that is their choice.

For the DC it might be a good idea though to have them sign the standard safe diving practices statement of understanding.

Yes it may be their choice, but a very foolish choice I feel, what if (as pointed out previously) the divers become seperated.
I have personally witnessed divers whilst on escorted dives without time devices and depth guages, and believe it or not 'not in Pattaya'.
In my mind this is highly irresponsible both on the part of the shop and the divers.

 

[lord khram]

It's pretty much the norm here where resort divers give away control to a guide who sets the time/depth limits as part of the brief. Even when a customer has had the option of renting a computer, the answer has been to follow the guide, as the guides computer has already clocked up some extra no fly time, thus more conservative. You always have the option of reviewing your time/depth limits with your tables anyway. Any chance you get, multilevel and give them a nice extended stop by cruising around the shallower corals.

What about where the parameters for dives are set by the shop???
I personally last year was taken on an escorted dive (yes in Pattaya again) of 27 minutes duration. (shop dive south East Asia)
When I complained I had used only about 30% of my 'safe' air supply, was told by the dive guide 'I have to save some time today, the boat was late leaving. In any case I am only allowed to give dives of 45 minutes duration maximum under any circumstances'. Then produced some guidelines given to him by the shop to verify this. After that he added, I dont work here I am just doing it for fun. If your not happy complain back at the shop.
What is that all about??