Secrets of a Dive Conductor

[andydiver06]

.......Being a DM I have learned a few tricks how to conduct a dive tour.......

1. Take good care of your customer---- Give a good dive site briefing, help them with equipment, kit up , (help in putting suntan lotion/ take them to dinner -depends ??????)
2. Select the group properly so that a novice does not land up with a group of experienced diver.
3. Try to keep photo fanatics in a separete group away from crowd or they are really going to be pissed off.
4. Keep in touching distance with panicky divers or better hold their hands.
5. Do not advice any experienced divers and leave them alone until and unless they ask you about the local site.
6. Do not venture to far out, dive slowly and remain in the same locality as few people like to ascent far away from the boat unless you have a physically fit group who like to explore a bit.
7. In Bad viz keep them near the bottom and watch their buoyancy. Show them little critters and take your time so that every one in the group can actually see - (5-min)
Avoid overcrowding.
8. Do not allow the group to get tired. Benchwork with the least fit person of the group and act accordingly.
9. Prevent newbies from fiddling with their LPI
10. Help them on the boat and allow them to brag about the big grouper they saw.
*****************

 

[DandyDon]

Very good list, Andy. Sounds like you are a good host.

This part can be difficult, tho - when you have to match the people to the boats...

2. Select the group properly so that a novice does not land up with a group of experienced diver.

 

[andydiver06]

You are correct Dandy. So you can ask before hand an experienced diver to take on a newbie under his/her wings for the tour . Sometimes this boost the ego and you get free help or else let a group of experienced diver move ahead on their own and you leading behind with the newbies. This becomes particularly difficult with low viz <2-3 m.

 

[boulderjohn]

You are correct Dandy. So you can ask before hand an experienced diver to take on a newbie under his/her wings for the tour . Sometimes this boost the ego and you get free help or else let a group of experienced diver move ahead on their own and you leading behind with the newbies. This becomes particularly difficult with low viz <2-3 m.

I am curious about the methods you use for this. How many boats does your operation have? How many people do you typically serve on a given day? How do you meet everyone's needs when you have a mixed group?

I ask because I am not a dive tour leader and I have experienced some really mixed success with this in my own diving expereince.

 

[Christi]

.......Being a DM I have learned a few tricks how to conduct a dive tour.......

1. Take good care of your customer---- Give a good dive site briefing, help them with equipment, kit up , (help in putting suntan lotion/ take them to dinner -depends ??????)
2. Select the group properly so that a novice does not land up with a group of experienced diver.
3. Try to keep photo fanatics in a separete group away from crowd or they are really going to be pissed off.
4. Keep in touching distance with panicky divers or better hold their hands.
5. Do not advice any experienced divers and leave them alone until and unless they ask you about the local site.
6. Do not venture to far out, dive slowly and remain in the same locality as few people like to ascent far away from the boat unless you have a physically fit group who like to explore a bit.
7. In Bad viz keep them near the bottom and watch their buoyancy. Show them little critters and take your time so that every one in the group can actually see - (5-min)
Avoid overcrowding.
8. Do not allow the group to get tired. Benchwork with the least fit person of the group and act accordingly.
9. Prevent newbies from fiddling with their LPI
10. Help them on the boat and allow them to brag about the big grouper they saw.
*****************

I'm not sure these are "tricks" rather than just standard protocol along with much, much more. You will learn more and more as you gain more experience...and the real "trick" is to never stop learning yourself. As a DiveMaster (and as an instructor) you should learn something new everyday whether from your divers/students, colleagues, or from your own error. The day you STOP learning or think you know everything, then you should hang up your fins.

Also remember, that the best training and the thing that matters more than c-cards, is actual experience and time in the water.

Out of curiosity, have you completed your DM cert yet? Your profile states that you have less than 100 dives. Do you work for a resort? Just curious.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Andy,

Whether these are tricks, protocols or just common sense ideas, thanks for sharing them. As a Dive Master candidate (well, DiveCon candidate for SSI) I will jot these in my notebook and keep them handy.

The heading of your suggestions could be, The Way I Would Like To Be Treated On A Dive Trip. Again, thanks.

Jeff

 

[Damselfish]

I think another good rule is not to get too hung up on a set of rules. Some places or people have stuff they always do that is good in some circumstances, but try to apply it in all situations even when it doesn't make the most sense. This can make for some annoying experiences for customers.