What do you expect from other Divers?

[Latitude 59]

What do I expect of other divers? Common courtesy so you don't ruin my diving experience! Show up on time. Check your gear for missing items before boarding. Silence during roll calls unless your name is called and during safety briefings, dive briefings. Smoke downwind if you must. Warn others around of your "prop check" needs so we can check out the bow then. If you demand to sit by the stern then be ready and get off the boat first! Don't eat what you didn't bring and don't shop in my gear bag while I am under. Respect the camera rinse tank. A boat is not the place for personal arguments. Keep your gear contained on deck so as not to be a hazard to anyone else. Please don't berate a student or newer diver in public for some "sin". (Have seen on several occasions adults in tears over this). Makes for a more enjoyable day on the water for all if people don't forget common courtesy!

 

[sheeper]

i'd also add to my earlier post that i expect a willingness to share. The only reason i became an "experienced" diver is that i dove with experienced divers who shared their knowledge and experience with me. That sharing is still a big reason why i dive. Now as one of those "old" guys, i can share my experience with newer divers and, of course, still learn from the experience of the "really old guys".

 

[TMHeimer]

I agree with almost everything said so far. I've been lucky so far in that the "insta buddies" I have had haven't yet done anything really stupid. So, my main concern with a buddy has been that he/she pay as much attention as I do in staying together. On the boat/shore I can't say that I expect it, but I prefer that others don't get "high and mighty" about my shell collecting hobby (unless they actually have even a minimal knowledge of mollusc populations).

 

[DaleC]

I may be in the minority but I don't really expect anything from other divers. That is a sure fire path to frustration and disappointment. People will do what people will do. My stategy for enjoyment and self preservation is to avoid those I find conflict with and to align myself with those I feel affinity for. And, like Dr Bill, I solo a lot.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

exacly, Melanie. I totally agree, especially as to the one's you are diving with. I think that falls under the safety category.
DivemasterDennis

 

[RTee]

Respect, courtesy and honesty. Do not pretend to be what you are not because those who really are tend to either be subtle or humble... And if you are that good, I will expect you to be that subtle and humble. Whether you dive with me or not...the size of your camera does not grant you priority over the subject I am admiring. Wait your turn and respect my space just as I do for you. If you see me doing something different, before telling me it is wrong or to do otherwise you may want to ask me why I do it this way first. If I am unsure I will ask questions and I expect the same from others...there are no stupid questions especially when it is a sincere one. Shore/boat dives...keep your things to yourself ie within your allocated bubbles. Others have also the right to be there especially if they have paid the same amount as you did. Club dives...I have no problem whatsoever to be the buddy of a beginner diver and I will adjust accordingly...as long as my GF is comfortable with whoever she ends up paired with. On paid/charter dives, that is an entire different story. I am now there to enjoy myself and do my own dive with whoever who came with me. I reserve kissing and hugging to human beings and petting to...pets. I will therefore expect that you will do the same and not imposed it to marine life so keep your hands to yourself. I also have very little time for those who silt the area or trash the bottom with hands and fins. If you like scuba diving like a butterfly or like swimming like a turtle or manta ray, stay off the bottom and away from other divers and the marine environment.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

While I generally like diving with photographers as it gives me a chance to work on my skills, I do not like to be on the boat with wannabe photogs that just plunked down several grand on a set up that they have neither the dive skills or photo skills to use. These are the ones that will horn in on something someone else has found, actually push others out of the way, or just circle like buzzards on a gut wagon making other people nervous.

Most times they are easy to spot after a few minutes. They are like dogs behind the DM because they do not have the skill or patience to find something on their own. I don't really care about what the DM finds and so when these clowns start their stuff I go looking for something on my own. It's when I find it and they come over that I have a problem.

So what I normally do is see something I want to look at, move 5 or 10 yards away and stare intently at a fish turd or a rock. Sure enough they home in and begin to take up position. I will sign that some thing really cool is right in front of them and while they are gawking at nothing and trying to find the yellow bellied snipe fish, I slowly sneak back to what I really wanted to see and enjoy the experience.

I also do not want to dive with anyone that thinks their skills are "good enough for the diving they normally do". Because in all seriousness they usually are not. By a long shot. They do not have to be taking class after class and collecting cards. But I do expect them to be constantly trying to improve their skills and knowledge. One of my most unsatisfying and disappointing experiences as a DM was hearing a father say about his newly certed son that the kid did not need to dive with us. His skills were good enough to dive with him and that was ok. Dad was a train wreck that should have had his card yanked, cut up, burned, and buried with the $4000 camera set up he had and was a total disater with.

 

[Rich Keller]

I'm a self proclaimed scuba snob. I define that term (see scubasnobs.com) as follows: A scuba snob is an avid and active diver who loves everything about diving, who has worked to acquire and maintain competent diving skills and good diving habits, exercises and demonstrates those skills and habits when diving,AND EXPECTS OTHER DIVERS TO DO THE SAME. When someone has gone through accredited dive certification, even as a new diver, they should have a certain skill level. In fact, I find that new divers are often better to dive with than the casual diver who dives maybe once every year or two, and is indifferent to many safety issues, does not know their equipment, can wreak havoc on the environment, and can be just plain a pain in the butt. So, is that wrong? What do you expect of other divers?
DivemasterDennis

I usually dive alone so the only time I dive with someone else is on vacation, on a charter boat where I am required to dive with someone else. As I dive in a place where I get 5-6' visibility on a good day I usually opt for the shallow and long duration dives when the visibility is 10-20 times better then what I am used to getting. This puts me in with the OW group and for the most part they are great. They are usually lead by a dive master who they follow around enabling me to push out ahead a bit and to one side, keeping the group in site and keeping me out of the pack.

 

[avatar]

One thing:stay off the reef, it's not that difficult.

 

[GramsciBeat]

There are a whole lot of things I would like to see other divers do while I am diving, but expecting certain behaviour from a diverse group of people is a recipe for disappointment and resentment.
I do a lot of diving in a club environment and I know the diving styles of a number of members; I make sure that I never buddy with those I am uncomfortable with and try and remain as faraway from them in a group context. I make allowances for my regular buddies' diving styles and they do so for me.
In an Instabuddy situation, or when in a group of unknown divers, I ensure that I communicate with them about the way I dive and hope (not expect) that they return the courtesy. I also try and ensure that it is an interaction as opposed to me telling them what I want. Conversation has generally given me a fair indication of where the new dive companions are at and what to look out for.
The other thing I realise as I dive in different places, is that dive conventions are not universal - what maybe acceptable in one country (or part of a country), may be the height of rudeness or inapproriateness in another. When diving I also need to accept that despite the fact I may have a few more dives than some of the others I am diving I can always learn from them.