OW Diver time requirements

[lord khram]

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.

Yes I must say that this is the Pattaya norm at all of the shops I have dived with. 40/45 minute dives regardless of air supply or NDL considerations. And in many cases much shorter.
Again this wonderfull service that you will receive in Pattaya for your 3300 baht.

 

[h90]

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??

while the 45 min are somehow acceptable, even I don't like it: 27 min is a joke....

 

[lord khram]

while the 45 min are somehow acceptable, even I don't like it: 27 min is a joke....

I'm glad you agree, but unfortunately this type of thing is the norm in Pattaya.
When some shops are charging in excess of 3000 baht per day now I realy think they need to book their ideas up and start treating their customers with a bit of respect.

 

[katdiver]

Sounds like you need to get down here and dive with us LK. Make your plan, go dive and come up when you're done. Sound fair?

 

[Bowmouth]

Sounds like you need to get down here and dive with us LK. Make your plan, go dive and come up when you're done. Sound fair?

How much is a 2-dive day trip to the local dive sites (Mae Urai, Koh Si, Yawasam, Yawabon, Sri Keow, Koh Daeng, Koh Samet, Koh Ha) in Ao Nang nowadays?
Do all shops use longtail boats and have a similar price for those trips or are there big differences?
Any limits on dive times? And how long are surface interval times usually? Do you visit Koh Poda or Koh Kai during the surface interval or do divers stay on the boat?

 

[lord khram]

Sounds like you need to get down here and dive with us LK. Make your plan, go dive and come up when you're done. Sound fair?

That sounds just like how it should be done. wish all shops did the same then I wouldn't be complaining so much.
But when customers are used as fodder for dmt's and trainee instructors to practice on the end result all too often is unhappy customers.

 

[josh]

And yet another thread descends into LK complaining about Pattaya dive shops. Mate, we get it, honestly, we get it.

 

[katdiver]

How much is a 2-dive day trip to the local dive sites (Mae Urai, Koh Si, Yawasam, Yawabon, Sri Keow, Koh Daeng, Koh Samet, Koh Ha) in Ao Nang nowadays?
Do all shops use longtail boats and have a similar price for those trips or are there big differences?
Any limits on dive times? And how long are surface interval times usually? Do you visit Koh Poda or Koh Kai during the surface interval or do divers stay on the boat?

I charge 2,500 for 2 dives (all in), another 500 for an optional 3rd dive. I only use my boat, never use longtails. I suppose you'll find prices between 2,000, and 2,700 (plus equipment hire), majority use longtails. These dives are not "deep" and can be multi-levelled anyway. Today I did local, first 2 dives were 63 minutes and the last was about 47 minutes (we decided we'd had enough and had a great day). We saw a great deal of life, including my special seahorse, just about everything from big groupers down to the smallest macro. I've also know the sleeping hole for a baby bamboo shark (thanks to DM Karin). Typically a 1 hour SI, we don't rush, all the comforts are on board. If I've got family groups who want to visit Poda or Kai then I put them ashore for lunch (we take the dinghy), but most folk are happy to sleep off lunch on the sun deck!

 

[Bowmouth]

I charge 2,500 for 2 dives (all in), another 500 for an optional 3rd dive. I only use my boat, never use longtails. I suppose you'll find prices between 2,000, and 2,700 (plus equipment hire), majority use longtails. These dives are not "deep" and can be multi-levelled anyway. Today I did local, first 2 dives were 63 minutes and the last was about 47 minutes (we decided we'd had enough and had a great day). We saw a great deal of life, including my special seahorse, just about everything from big groupers down to the smallest macro. I've also know the sleeping hole for a baby bamboo shark (thanks to DM Karin). Typically a 1 hour SI, we don't rush, all the comforts are on board. If I've got family groups who want to visit Poda or Kai then I put them ashore for lunch (we take the dinghy), but most folk are happy to sleep off lunch on the sun deck!

Thanks for the info.
I've always had a great time diving in Ao Nang in the past and wouldn't mind doing a couple of dives when I'm in the neighborhood. I'll make sure I come and visit you then. I would be very interested in seeing that pale-blue seahorse.

 

[lord khram]

And yet another thread descends into LK complaining about Pattaya dive shops. Mate, we get it, honestly, we get it.

Suggest you have another look. Did I mention a specific shop? Or did I mention Pattaya in my last post?