US Diving vs Other locations...

[psychocabbage]

Having done a couple of US dives after having done tons of Cozumel dives I have to say that you definately need your skills for the US.

Cozumel - DM will go around and show divers different things.. Very controlled. No one really strays too far from the group even though you are allowed to venture withing your comfort range..


US - (I dove the Speigel Grove) DM parks boat, briefs on the layout of the dive, current direction and strength, then says the pool is open, be back before the boat leaves!

I cant say I like one more than the other because I am the textbook diver as far as plans.

What is it like in other parts of the world?

 

[Rhone Man]

I remember visiting Australia and getting chucked off the boat and told to find my way back (very Australian, but at least they left the boat in neutrel). I am told that Red Sea diving is the same, but can't verify that first hand.

Most other places I have been in the world it is the guided tour by a DM.

 

[jenlaur]

I had the same experience in the Keys. And it was shortly after we were certified. We spoke with the dive shop ahead of time so we knew it was going to be this way. We only did shallow dives though. And we practiced our navigation skills!

 

[Teamcasa]

Diving here in SoCal is the same, pool is open, stay with your buddy, be back before we have to leave - have fun!

Hawaii is more like Coz, DM guides the dives.

 

[Doc]

I am told that Red Sea diving is the same, but can't verify that first hand.

If that was the geographic area you were inquiring about- The Red Sea? My experience has been that they will offer to lead dives when appropriate, otherwise you get a briefing and are shown the door.

It depends upon the nature of the dive op you select. Liveaboards with a group of divers who have shown their skills on Day One are given a lot more choices. On day-dive ops out of Sharm, it appeared as though the entire experience was well shepherded and controlled- the transitory nature of the diver guests abilities were simply an unknown quantity.

 

[--tom--]

In Monterey, CA, my favorite boat captain says, "if you don't surface, we can't save you."

Solid dive briefing, but you are on your own. If you can't navigate, bring a reel.

 

[Jimmer]

Great lakes dives definetly aren't hand held. Site briefing, things to watch out for, have a good dive.

 

[herman]

No hand holding or DM's keeping tabs on you here in NC. A good dive briefing and you are on your own. We often dive deep and a long way off shore. Except for size, the SP Grove is about an average dive for us.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Oriskany was as you described Boat stops, Brief, pools open.

Key Largo - Same

Bonaire - Totally independant Dive when, where and how you want. What's a DM? Park the truck and jump in. There are some boat dives and I guess they did have a DM but, I think we only went on 3 boat trips.

Roatan - Not sure I'll find out in 10 days!!

 

[Sas]

In Melbourne, Australia, there aren't DMs on board the boats unless it is a club dive that has brought their own. You get a brief description of the site and a few safety things then you can do what you like. The boat is rarely anchored (that is site dependent, only seen it twice anchored) so you jump in, go off and do your dive, then shoot up an SMB and they come get you.

Psychocabbage, there are plenty of places you can dive with out a DM, it is hardly specific to the US.