Tampering with other divers' gear

[The Chairman]

I'm curious about this.
I've been diving a long time and can not recall a single instance where another diver took it upon themself to adjust or attempt to correct my gear.
Just how prevalent is this?

You and me both! However, when I have a class on the boat, our game is to try to identify as MANY mistakes as they can. They are to tell ME alone, and I will make a judgment on who to tell and what. The most COMMON mistake is putting the reg on OVER the bungee. It's best for them to correct this themselves while we all snicker silently.

 

[letterboy]

You and me both! However, when I have a class on the boat, our game is to try to identify as MANY mistakes as they can. They are to tell ME alone, and I will make a judgment on who to tell and what. The most COMMON mistake is putting the reg on OVER the bungee. It's best for them to correct this themselves while we all snicker silently.

Again, you just THINK this was a mistake

Where is that AWESOME picture of Chip when you need it . . .

 

[The Chairman]

What if the diver in the original post had been finning furiously toward the surface? Would you try to stop or slow her/him down? My initial gut reaction is "Gosh, I've gotta slow that diver down or it's an AGE for sure!"

That would depend on your position relative to the diver in question. If you are below them and they are your buddy, follow them S-L-O-W-L-Y to the surface and find out what is wrong. There is no need for both of you to put yourselves in peril.

If you are above them and can intercept their ascent without becoming an ICBM missile, then go to their aid, signing them to slow down and offering them air. Again, there is no need to put BOTH of you in peril.

 

[Walter]

I'm curious about this.
I've been diving a long time and can not recall a single instance where another diver took it upon themself to adjust or attempt to correct my gear.
Just how prevalent is this?

It's pretty common in resort areas. Usually they will leave your gear alone if you ask them nicely, but from time to time, you have to get pretty forceful with your requests not to touch your gear. Cozumel is the worst I've encountered.

 

[gypsyjim]

There are so many possibly correct responses, all depending on the unique situation you find yourself in. Being willing to offer assistance if it is needed, without exposing yourself to risk is an important part of being a good buddy. You being injured or killed helps no one.

 

[Teamcasa]

..where another diver took it upon themself to adjust or attempt to correct my gear.

It's pretty common in resort areas. ... Cozumel is the worst I've encountered.

I was not talking about a deckhand or a DM changing tanks. That's their job and we can discuss the merits of that separately. I was refering to another diver, thinking they were trying to help, adjust or attempt to correct another divers gear.

 

[Walter]

I was not talking about a deckhand or a DM changing tanks.

Why not? That's the most common example of it.

That's their job and we can discuss the merits of that separately.

It is not their job to tamper with my gear.

I was refering to another diver, thinking they were trying to help, adjust or attempt to correct another divers gear.

There's no difference except a deckhand or DM will often get indignant when you catch them and another paying customer will usually apologize.

 

[Teamcasa]

I was not talking about a deckhand or a DM changing tanks. That's their job and we can discuss the merits of that separately. I was refering to another diver, thinking they were trying to help, adjust or attempt to correct another divers gear.

Why not? That's the most common example of it.
It is not their job to tamper with my gear.
There's no difference except a deckhand or DM will often get indignant when you catch them and another paying customer will usually apologize.

There are dozens of threads that discuss that topic.

Again, for clarity sake:

I was refering to another diver, thinking they were trying to help, adjust or attempt to correct another divers gear.

I doubt this happens with any degree of regularity and all the blustering about it is just that, blustering.

 

[jjhill]

Is it an acceptable practical joke to tape a sign that says, "Eat Me" to someone's tank right before a shark dive?

That depends. If you were diving in Mexico for example it might be prudent to write the sign in Spanish.

 

[Walter]

Dave, it's the same topic.