Speaking from a dive professional's perspective, with six years I would certainly inform the shop. I'm not aware of their exact policies or the experience of the divers involved but I'd assume a refresher of some sort be required.
It is better to be open and upfront about so the dive shop concerned can plan for it in advance, instead of being confronted with upon checking in. Trying to hide it or tell a white lie about it "I'm a bit rusty" will have several effects.
1) You will end up on all the staff's back of their mind list of divers that can't be trusted in the group (as you withheld information and demonstrated bad judgement), and you will be kept on a short leash for all your trip.
2) upon checking in the staff might note date of your last dive, decide you can't join the regular boat and that you need a refresher first. That requires time and a staff member that may not be available. Now your and the shop's dive schedule has to be re-arranged on short notice, divers might be denied trips, and these things usually make neither guests or staff happy.
3) If these divers are allowed on the dive without refresher there is a good chance they might not be comfortable or unsafe in the water. That is a risk to the divers themselves. But also the dive guide, who is there in a position to guide and show the whole group the marine life, is now suddenly fully occupied with helping these out of practice divers during their dive. That means the rest of the group will have a lesser experience, which makes neither the divers or staff happy.
4) It is just not safe. I always ask people... would you skydive out of a flying plane if you haven't done it several years? You'd probably ask somebody to run you trough the main safety aspects and equipment handling again. So why not for diving?
So in my view it is quite inconsiderate to not be forthcoming in this to the dive shop. Our role as dive staff is to help everybody have a safe and enjoyable dive and vacation experience. We are always happy to work with every diver's requirements and wishes to make things it happen. That can only work if the divers are open and honest in wishes and any limitations. Withholding information will not help us to give you a better experience.
It is better to be open and upfront about so the dive shop concerned can plan for it in advance, instead of being confronted with upon checking in. Trying to hide it or tell a white lie about it "I'm a bit rusty" will have several effects.
1) You will end up on all the staff's back of their mind list of divers that can't be trusted in the group (as you withheld information and demonstrated bad judgement), and you will be kept on a short leash for all your trip.
2) upon checking in the staff might note date of your last dive, decide you can't join the regular boat and that you need a refresher first. That requires time and a staff member that may not be available. Now your and the shop's dive schedule has to be re-arranged on short notice, divers might be denied trips, and these things usually make neither guests or staff happy.
3) If these divers are allowed on the dive without refresher there is a good chance they might not be comfortable or unsafe in the water. That is a risk to the divers themselves. But also the dive guide, who is there in a position to guide and show the whole group the marine life, is now suddenly fully occupied with helping these out of practice divers during their dive. That means the rest of the group will have a lesser experience, which makes neither the divers or staff happy.
4) It is just not safe. I always ask people... would you skydive out of a flying plane if you haven't done it several years? You'd probably ask somebody to run you trough the main safety aspects and equipment handling again. So why not for diving?
So in my view it is quite inconsiderate to not be forthcoming in this to the dive shop. Our role as dive staff is to help everybody have a safe and enjoyable dive and vacation experience. We are always happy to work with every diver's requirements and wishes to make things it happen. That can only work if the divers are open and honest in wishes and any limitations. Withholding information will not help us to give you a better experience.
