As I stated before, I am a beginner and have only dove (dived?) the reefs around Ft. Lauderdale a few days. I am certified through SDI for the computer training. I use a Mares Tutor. I don't see much in the name of SDI certification in Cozumel dive shop advertisements. When you go to these dive locations does the dive operator question you about your ability to read your computer or if you have another certification do they question your ability to read the dive tables? Or is it recognized that since you have passed the course that you are, or should be, proficient? I realize that the package dives are regulated to not get you in trouble as far as time and deco procedures. So what is the procedure? I noticed that some of the shops require for you to have a sausage, whistle and mirror. Is this the case with most operators?
S'more questions
- Thread starter Garrobo
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I have never seen a dive op make the distinction. If you own a computer, they expect you to be able to use it. If you don't own a computer they will do a swag for you.
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Garrobo:
As NetDoc inferred, once you have your C-Card, you're pretty much-so on your own. We should never assume any standard of care by a DM. If you are curious as to what assistance is given, ask or watch.
Some dive ops ask "if you are current in table usage" or if you dive on a computer. That's about as invasive as it has ever gotten in my experience. There are some notable exceptions: When you dive at a destination that attracts a lot of first-timers or infrequent divers... I have seen them checking end of dive tank pressures as well as maximum depths.
Dive-ops behave and react just as any person would. If something has come your way 1000 times before- you're primed and ready. If you have dealt with 40 years of weekend divers appearing at your Nassau dive op, you will treat them a certain way. If your dive op is on the North end of Tobago, they might ask how much weight you want.
It is a good thing that you had professional assistance in understanding your specific dive computer, but that will most likely be the last time you take such a course in your progression of dive computer ownership.
Once you have a basic open water diver C-Card, no one really cares what other cards you have. Sure, there are Cave and Wreck certs that some dive ops might require, and of course, mixed gasses (nitrox, etc), but that's about it. You will hear occasional stories about dive-ops that are said to enforce the 60' max depth (non AOW) rule, even some that get prissy about night dive cards, but their motives are suspect, maybe even the veracity of these reports. I have maybe 12 Cert cards, but I dive with the one I got in 1969 with my baby face picture. It looks nothing like I do now and a Basic Diver Card has some theoretical restrictions. Never been more than smiled at!
If you don't have a sausage, whistle and mirror... and if you don't know how to deploy them- you are dangerous.
Your 'RoatanMan' moniker leads me to believe that you live on Roatan and that you are a doctor. That's great if true. I'll probably be spending some time on one of the islands soon if I can find a lot to put up a dwelling and will need the sevices of a medical man who can speak Ingles. I have a home in Choloma and some land south of SPS also where I'll be staying semi-permanently. Maybe I can look you up in the future.
REII
Contributor
And I thought this thread was going to be about those marshmellow things...
All you need to show is your dive cert card. The operators assume you know how to use your gear.
TOM
All you need to show is your dive cert card. The operators assume you know how to use your gear.
TOM
caymaniac
Contributor
Not only do operators assume you know how to use your gear, they (some) expect you to hook your gear up as well, so if are are familiar with dive equipment ..that is a good thing. They don't care what C-card you have, they do care that you listen to their rules..ie 45min max dive - depth max 100 ft. There are usaully some blow hard divers aboard who brag about how good of divers they are ... take note, try not to buddy up with these individuals as they seem to usually not know what they are talking about and can be dangerous as your buddy.
If you are renting equip. such as a computer, make sure you understand the instruction on how to read it properly... and if you own a computer, please read the manual before your first dive with it.
If you were my buddy on a dive, I would expect you to pay attention to where I am, and where we are in relationship to the boat, there alot of things that are going on in your first few dives...like your breathing rate is very high, how fast am I descending, where is the boat, which way to the reef and where is the marine life, how much air is in your tank, how much air is in your buddies tank, how long have we been down, where is everybdy else, what about this current?
Sorry for the rant, but I have been around a few begginner divers and sometimes they stress out alot..it takes a few dives to relax. It still is fun for me to buddy up with a newbie because they are so sensory overloaded, and they like most any dive...which I do as well.
I hope you have fun!
If you are renting equip. such as a computer, make sure you understand the instruction on how to read it properly... and if you own a computer, please read the manual before your first dive with it.
If you were my buddy on a dive, I would expect you to pay attention to where I am, and where we are in relationship to the boat, there alot of things that are going on in your first few dives...like your breathing rate is very high, how fast am I descending, where is the boat, which way to the reef and where is the marine life, how much air is in your tank, how much air is in your buddies tank, how long have we been down, where is everybdy else, what about this current?
Sorry for the rant, but I have been around a few begginner divers and sometimes they stress out alot..it takes a few dives to relax. It still is fun for me to buddy up with a newbie because they are so sensory overloaded, and they like most any dive...which I do as well.
I hope you have fun!
What you said. I've been through some of that. Luckily, at my age, you don't get too excited about things so I haven't had any heavy breathing problems. I did get too low on a Florida dive. I was using a 67 and it only had 2800 in it when we started. So I got to experience some buddy breathing during the 3 minutes at 5 meter. Still had air when we got on the boat but it was a lesson. Bouyancy in the upper level has been a little problem. Got to the surface too quickly in the quarry dives because the visibilty was low. Couldn't see the under-surface and wasn't paying enough attention to the depth gauge. Other than that I sort of took to the water like a duck. (Quack.) I hired an instructor lady in Florida for some reef dives for a few days and she concentrated on me only. This helped a lot. I'm headed back to Key Largo on the 18th for three days of diving there. Same thing. I'll be hooked up with an instructor. It's worth the extra money believe me. I agree with some of the posters complaining that the certification process is too short. I realized right away that although I had passed the tests both written and in the water I really didn't have enough experience to go out by myself or to hook up with just any other diver. I need someone to keep an eye on me for a while and I expect to watch out for whomever I am diving with too.
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