Setting up gear for you in Coz?

[Christi]

Along these same lines, and since I will be in COZ in 13 days, I always do my own gear because I want to double check the Nitrox with an analyzer... Are others this way or do you just trust the number on the tape... And yes I am the same way stateside...

Thanks

Of course you check your tank. Who is ALWAYS responsible for verifying the contents of your tank????

Although it is customary for my crew to set gear up for our divers as a courtesy (not as a motivation for better tips - it's a company policy for them to do so unless the diver objects) - we STILL analyze tanks with each diver that is diving nitrox. You can do this even if the crew sets up your gear.

 

[halocline]

IMO, if you don't trust the DM to set up your gear (which is a basic function), you probably shouldn't be diving with them to begin with.

I don't agree with this statement. First, every diver is of course responsible for his/her own equipment. IMO, this means setting it up yourself. Second, I like to set up my own gear because my set up is a little strange and I end up changing it anyway whenever anyone else sets it up in a conventional way. Third, I like to be extra careful taking a wet reg off the tank, and the DMs just don't have time to wipe the thing dry before removing it. It's not a trust issue, of course they set up gear all the time, I just want to do it myself. I've never had any DM object to this, ever.

I kind of assumed that, in the small boats especially, the issue was the problem of a boat full of land-lubbers trying to mess with their gear, and likely sending something flying whenever the boat hits some chop, rather than sitting on the benches.

 

[kentmorrdave]

my op setting up my gear. The first day I get with them on weights and where I want the tank. I analyzed two days and it was right on.

 

[scubafanatic]

Do the dive ops in Cozumel always insist on setting up your gear for you, even if you really don't want them to? I've heard this before but wanted to hear it from people who've been there a lot.

If this is true, what is the reason?

Hi,
..I've used 3 different Dive Ops in Coz, and none of them 'insisted' they set up my gear...they have all been happy to follow my lead, and they will do as much, or as little, for you as you wish. They are in the 'service' business, so their natural reaction/desire is to provide the service you've paid for.
...for what it's worth, they are pretty good at sizing up their guest divers, and if it's obvious you know what you are doing (setting up your own gear in a professional/knowledgable manner) they are more prone to letting you set up your own gear...remember, all too frequently they see/deal with inexperienced/infrequent divers who really need their help, or who want to do as little 'work' on their vacation as possible...and when you first show up on their boat, you are a completely unknown quantity to them.

Karl

 

[RonFrank]

we STILL analyze tanks with each diver that is diving nitrox. You can do this even if the crew sets up your gear.

I can vouch for this. DiveOps in Coz don't do their own fills, so each tank can be a surprise. BlueXTSea was great in gear setup, never a problem. They also insisted that we do gas ananysis. We found on a couple occasions that 32% tanks were closer to 36, and in a couple cases Nitrox was 21%, or air. No problem, there is often a spare tank on board, and if not, just use what you have, and work accordingly.

Overall they were accurate over 1 week with 6 divers doing 4 dives a day we may have found a four tanks that were off a few percent, and a couple that were air that should have been Nitrox.

 

[jo8243]

It is the divers' responsibility to make sure his/her gear is set up properly. You are correct. This is why I set my own gear up. I can't understand why people want someone else to do that for them. Having another person messing with it just adds to the possibility of error IMO. Yeah, yeah, the DMs do it every day, but they don't know the individual piece of gear and the divers' specific setup. Only the diver who uses it does. If you can't set up your own gear you shouldn't be diving.

...and setting up gear is not a DM's basic function. It's something that was added to try to get extra tips. Next some lazy diver will want the DM to dress them in their wetsuit.

This always gets me.

Of course if you don't want the DM to set-up your gear, all you have to do is politely tell them that you prefer to do it. It is a service and a courtesy that many dive shops will set your gear up for you. However, that does not in any way exempt you as the diver from the responsibility of checking your gear BEFORE you get in the water...including taking a few breaths off your regulator. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure your gear is set up properly and that your tank is on, etc. Think of it as an extra checks and balance system. Had this diver done this, the problem could have been easily resolved before getting in the water.

That is very odd that a DM would not remove the tape....and I don't see how the reg would even get a seal with the tape there...doesn't make sense to me. Anyway, an error like that is definitely the exception rather than the rule. Aside from that, setting up equipment is not rocket science and these DM's do it every single day...so it's not like they don't know what they're doing.

I always tell my divers that the crew will set up their gear unless they have objections to this...but it is still their responsibility to check it before getting in the water...or if they have a special configuration, set it up with the DM the first day, and then they can remember how the diver likes it for subsequent days. I even have this stated on the waiver.

IMO, if you don't trust the DM to set up your gear (which is a basic function), you probably shouldn't be diving with them to begin with.

 

[jo8243]

Your real problem may be between dives when the boat crew is changing tanks as divers reboard. If you take your gear off in the water, they may get you done before you know it. But you will have plenty of time to check it before the 2nd dive.

Why would you take your gear off in the water?

 

[diver 85]

Do the dive ops in Cozumel always insist on setting up your gear for you, even if you really don't want them to? I've heard this before but wanted to hear it from people who've been there a lot.

If this is true, what is the reason?

I can only speak for Aldora(in fact just got back yesterday from diving with them).......They will do it like you want it done, but why not let someone set it up for you???.I hate to work more than I have to--now saying that, I always check the setup, very cheap insurance.......

 

[scubawife]

Why would you take your gear off in the water?

Depends on the kind of boat you're diving from. The Cozumel "fast boats," are usually a panga style. You all roll in together and getting back in after the dive you hand up weights, then BC and tank and your fins. They'll have a ladder out for you to climb back onboard, but it's not the sort of set up where you will be climbing up the ladder in your gear.

If you dive with one of the larger resort ops then you are on the big slow boats with the regular type ladders and then you do climb onboard in your gear. From these boats the entry is normally giant stride.

 

[Christi]

It is the divers' responsibility to make sure his/her gear is set up properly. You are correct. This is why I set my own gear up. I can't understand why people want someone else to do that for them. Having another person messing with it just adds to the possibility of error IMO. Yeah, yeah, the DMs do it every day, but they don't know the individual piece of gear and the divers' specific setup. Only the diver who uses it does. If you can't set up your own gear you shouldn't be diving.

...and setting up gear is not a DM's basic function. It's something that was added to try to get extra tips. Next some lazy diver will want the DM to dress them in their wetsuit.

I didn't say that setting up gear was a basic job function of a DM...I said setting up gear IS a basic function (of diving)....therefore, a DM better know how to do it.

IMO, if you don't trust the DM to set up your gear (which is a basic function)...

I did say that the DM setting up your gear is a courtesy and a service...and it's not just a case of looking for extra tips. As a dive shop owner, as I stated above...it is our company policy for the DM's to set-up the gear...UNLESS a diver objects. It's their gear, they have the prerogative. However, it is a standard element of service we advertise and provide as well as gear transport, rinse, and storage. We don't force it on those who don't wish to take advantage of this service.

You also missed the part where I recommended that the divers assist/supervise the DM on the first day so that the DM will know their preferences for their gear set-up. We also have those who have never dove with us set their gear up the first day so that we can see if they know what they're doing....it tells us alot to watch someone set-up their gear. Again, it is an option not a requirement...but I just think that some people get a little too "prima-donna" about gear set-up. Regardless of who sets it up, you (collective) should do the proper checks before entering the water...even you (collective) can make a mistake setting up your own gear. If you don't, you have no one but yourself to blame if something goes wrong.

Bottom line is that it's a personal choice and I don't know anyone that would force you to let them set-up your equipment.