POSTING AND YOU! A guide on how to post correctly if you need advice

[chip104]

POSTING AND YOU!
(a survival guide on how to post a thread and ask for help)

Yay! Congrats on choosing the Philippines for your diving adventures!!! But hang on a second there, trooper - You still have no clue where you want to go in the PI!

You need to ask for advice to get the most out of your money. LUCKILY, the mighty Gods of Scubaboard.com created the Philippine Paradise Divers Subforum where you can post all your questions and hopefully get the answers you need!

So off you go to post a new thread:

hours pass...days pass...weeks pass...and unfortunately there is little to no one replying to your thread

I hate to break it to you, GI, but most generic threads go unnoticed in the PPD due to the non-specific advice they are seeking.

You have hundreds of destinations along with thousands of dive shops and resorts to choose from. We really need more info on your preferences in order for any PPDer to properly help you!

This guide will help you go about getting the best advice you need!

pd:​

 

[chip104]

The Search Function
better than cowbell!​

Before you post, please please please perform a search on the forums before posting - we have about 3,000 threads dedicated to diving in the PI. If you expect help from us, then we expect a little effort on your part in researching YOUR vacation.

Below shows where the search function hides:

fun fact: We love it when posters show that they've researched the past threads. They will likely get more responses that way!​

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Google!
friends, not overlords!
​

This is what one PPDer had to say about a SBer posting multiple threads with the same question over and over again:

...I would have LMGTFY his ass the second time he asked the same question...

you can find midgets and dogs dressed as spaceships on google for Christ sake... how hard is it to type in a simple search?

Good point Ben! If it's broad advice about the PI, best to try a google search first even before the search function. Follow the link below for a google query on Philippine diving:

Google: Diving in the Philippines​

Once you do some searching and still can't find any definitive answers, please post your questions. We will be more than willing to help, but there are a few things you can to mention to get the best advice. See below!

.

 

[chip104]

After the Google and Forum Search
POSTING AND YOU! (cont'd) ​

So google and forum searching is no help, and you need to post a question. Well here are a couple of things you can mention to help PPDers assist you:


1. BUDGET / TYPE OF ACCOMODATIONS

Are you going for the spa or the spartan trip? Remember, you get what you pay for so let us know how luxurious or backpacker of a trip you are planning. A price range in the accomodations is a good start.

Your post will make a difference!

 

[chip104]

2. YOUR DIVE EXPERIENCE & TYPE OF DIVING YOU WOULD LIKE

For type of diving: Want tech dives? looking for a course to do? Like wall diving? Shore diving only? Wreck diving nut? Drift diving tickle yer fancy?

For dive experience: # of dives would be helpful and experience level. We probably wouldn't recommend an advanced dive (ie Manta Bowl) to a newly certified diver. Also feel free to mention any other places you have dived before hand, as it will help with out recommendations.

Reefs! wooo!

Courtesy of Clgsamson

Wrecks! wooo!

Courtesy of Kevster

SBS! wooo!

 

[chip104]

3. WHAT KIND OF MARINE LIFE DO YOU WANT TO SEE?

Wouldn't it suck if you like big fish schools but we recommended a place with only macro critters? Let us know what you want to see!

Fish schools, pristine corals, reef critters....mandarin fish, shaded bat fish, blue ring octopuses, flying gurnards....anything!

Like awesome pelagic action only? Go to Palau! Just joking - Yes, the Philippines does have a few places you can find pelagics such as mantas (Ticao, Malapascua), thresher sharks (Malapascua), and whalesharks (Donsol, Sogod). However, for the most part, pelagics aren't guaranteed in most places in the PI unless stated. (But seriously, go to Palau)

Malapascua is the most well-known pelagic dive destination in the PI for the consistent appearance of thresher sharks and mantas. PM Matt Reed for more details regarding the tiny paradise island.

You can search the underwater photography forum for plenty of underwater pictures of the Philippines. Some specific users who's picture threads you can search:
Caloy - Anilao, Bohol, Sogod....
Diver Dennis - Mostly Puerto Galera
Giligan - Bohol
Jonix - Mostly Anilao, lots of topside pics from all over the PI
Kevster - Sogod, Anilao, Coron, Puerto Galera...
Pakman - Donsol, Malapascua, Anilao, Cabilao...list goes on
Shugar - Mostly Anilao

 

[chip104]

4. WHAT KIND OF ATMOSPHERE DO YOU WANT

This is key to knowing what places to recommend. We have lots of places with a mix of atmospheres. Let us know!

Wanna go to a beach with some night life so you can get ridiculously blitz off of Jager bombs, brah?

Courtesy of Jonix​

Need a quiet location to finish your memoirs?

Some of this....

Some of that....

And then a little of this:

Courtesy of clgsamson and the Dive-O-Ramas

 

[chip104]

5. DURATION OF TRIP

This is also key in order to recommend where to go in the PI. Some places like Malapascua or Sogod take half a day to get there. Others like Anilao and Subic are only 2.5 hour drive from Manila.

How long you are staying can determine how many places you can visit as well as the logistics of travel. In general we recommend 1 week per location to really get to experience the locale.

Example of a 2 week trip itinerary route:

 

[chip104]

6. ARE YOU TRAVELING ALONE OR WITH A GROUP?

If you're with the kids we wouldn't exactly recommend making an adventurous spartan trek on an 8-hour bangka ride, now would we? On that note, will you be travelling with dive gear?

This helps us out in giving you advice with your mode of transportation - whether public transport is feasible or you should just spend the cash for a private vehicle to get to your destination.

GO HOG WILD!

 

[chip104]

7. WANT TO DO NON-DIVING ACTIVITIES AS WELL?

The Philippines has more to offer than just diving. If you also want to do non-diving activities, definitely mention it as well so we can take that into consideration when giving recommendations. Take a look at the Philippine Promotion Picture Thread for some nice topside pics of the PI.

This Awesome Poster wanted to play air guitar atop the Chocolate Hills!

This Photo happy Poster wanted to experience the local life!

This Creepy Poster wanted to go to picturesque lakes and take voyeur pics of beautiful Filipinas!

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This Adventurous Poster wanted to trek up to the crater of a volcano!

 

[chip104]

TO SUMMARIZE:

If you need to post help regarding diving in the Philippines, try mention any/all of the following:


1. What previous threads the forum search came up with
2. Budget / Type of Accomodations
3. Type of diving you are looking for and dive experience you have
4. What kind of marine life do you want to see?
5. What kind of atmosphere do you want?
6. Duration of trip?
7. Are you traveling alone or with a group?
8. Want to do non-diving activities as well?

By mentioning these things, you will receive better answers to your questions. Just remember: the quality of help you receive is determined by the detail given in your post!

Brought to you by the PPDers - We hope this guide has been useful to you!

pd: