Tough Decision on diving the spiegel grove

[7ftDiver]

Ok, so im going to the keys in about a week and ive booked myself a spot on a boat going to the Spiegel grove and the Dwayne. I keep getting conflicting answer from friends at the LDS. I’m fairly new to diving (been certified about 4 months, have advanced and nitrox, and about 20 dives, the deepest about 80 ft. I have the option of paying a DM to go with me but im not sure if it’s necessary. Do you think it’s worth the $50 per day? I’m confident in my diving skill to this point; however I know that only experience brings knowledge. I read someone’s quote about old divers and bold diver but no old bold divers. I don’t want to be the bold diver; I just want to make the right decision. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[markfm]

As always, going with your gut is a nice starting point. It sounds like you're perhaps light on experience, that you do know it, and the Grove is not a novice dive. That you are asking the question may by itself provide the answer (if you were comfortable with the depth, and possibly strong current, you wouldn't be asking, most likely).

A recent thread, same topic:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=107483&highlight=spiegel

 

[HarleyDiver]

Ok, so im going to the keys in about a week and ive booked myself a spot on a boat going to the Spiegel grove and the Dwayne. I keep getting conflicting answer from friends at the LDS. I’m fairly new to diving (been certified about 4 months, have advanced and nitrox, and about 20 dives, the deepest about 80 ft. I have the option of paying a DM to go with me but im not sure if it’s necessary. Do you think it’s worth the $50 per day? I’m confident in my diving skill to this point; however I know that only experience brings knowledge. I read someone’s quote about old divers and bold diver but no old bold divers. I don’t want to be the bold diver; I just want to make the right decision. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I suggest you hire a private DM. I just took a guy with more experience than you on a guided tour of the Grove, and he felt he got his money's worth. You may only need it the first time, but I feel 20 dives is light for the Grove or Duanne or Bibb.

 

[lhpdiver]

Let's see - 2 boat trips (what about $60 per = $120 ?) and 2 DM escorts ( $100 )... maybe consider taking a specialty course in wreck or deep and you get the instructor for cheap and you will enjoy yourself and get more out of the experience. I just had a quick look and Ocean Divers has a "Speigel Grove" PADI specialty for $250 (w/ 2 trips) and maybe they throw in the tanks (I don't know).

At 20 dives I don't think you are ready to make those dives without a much more experienced diver and if you are looking to have the boat match you up with a buddy you may not be that lucky.

Good Luck.

 

[Air Scooby]

I took an instructor and used it as my deep dive to finish off the AOW. I have about the same experience as you. I felt like it was a better dive because he was there. If you are worried about anything in the back of your mind, you could waste a great dive. Pay for the piece of mind if there's any doubt.

 

[Dave in PA]

I'm a divemaster myself and I hired a divemaster guide on a recent dive to an unfamilar (out of state) site, for the following reasons: 1) I was a single diver, by hiring a guide, I made sure I got a decent buddy. 2) a local guide will know the site better and you will usually see more during the dive. We were able to see more of the site and it's inhabitants than other divers.

just make sure that you discuss your expectations before you hire a guide with the shop/boat and again with the guide preferably before the boat shoves off.

 

[DandyDon]

I did those dives once with a friend I referred to as "my multi-card newbie," having the cards and experienced you have. It went okay, but it probably would have been worth it for him to have hired a DM for the first day at least. I'm not much of a diver, but I had done those wrecks before, so we muddled thru. He still owes me air, of course.

If you're not planning on diving with a specific buddy, who happens to be much more experienced, you'd certainly do a lot better with a DM than taking your chances with a boat-pick buddy who may be even less experienced. Some ops will let anyone dive those wrecks.

Thinking further back - to when I was the multi-card newbie, I just paid attention to the briefings and follow those instructions and my safety training. I was not as green, but I'm sure I would have been better off to have paid the DM fee, yet - the idea didn't cross my mind and it was not suggested.

DMs work for $50 a trip? Cheap. Tip him well too.

 

[msedivingdoc]

If you go an a charter you will be placed with a buddy that might be like this guy :monkeydan . Paying for the DM is a personal choice. If a local is orintated and can give you a good dive plan then use the buddy. For sound piece of mind... go with the DM. Remember this ship just got righted and the only people who know her now is the DM's or locals. I took a private boat and another experienced diver with a deck plan card and a detailed dive brief. The current is a monster and I wish i had taken someone who knew the wreck better. Our dive was short :clock: and he didn't want to return for the second dive. Remember you get what you pay for :vuur1:. Also i agree with the other guy... do a class; much better value for a novice diver. At this stage you must learn little one. :anakinpod