What I learned in my first 9 months of diving

[Scubalot]

I chose my OW instructor with as much forethought as I chose my parents. Whether he instilled or simply awakened a latent passion for scuba, I can't say but with 94 dives in my first 9 months the passion is real. The first 12 dives, in cold quarries, made the next 26 (a liveaboard in the Bahamas) all the better. Having pro guides and other veteran divers critique newbie-me for a week on that boat at times overwhelming but a crucial learning experience that I urge for all new divers. "Relax, slow-down, and say 'M.F.S.C.'" one guide advised, and since taking that to heart I've always had my mask, snorkel, fins and computer when approaching the water. Use a spreadsheet check-list as you pack (to be sure you bring it all) and unpack (don't assume you brought it all back, add to the list what you should have brought, and delete what will let you travel lighter next time). Use a spreadsheet dive-log to design/customize the categories (including "things I learned", "fish I saw"), unconstrained by tiny pages or pre-set formats. When doing multiple dives, prepare early for the next one. Use the quiet time between dives to check gear, measure/log the nitrox % in your tank and match that % in your computer, confirm tank PSI pressure. Wet suit air-dryed while inside-out? Turn it outside-in to save time later, and avoid traffic on a crowded dive deck. Don't wait to be told to kit-up; anticipate and start early. Open your valve, defog your mask and, if kitting-up seated on a dive deck and space allows, put on your fins before your BC. Test the inflator button but orally inflate your BC to practice, and save a bit of tank air, for when you need it. Check your buddy. If waiting on the surface before descending, use your snorkel to save air. "Equalize early" = while still on the surface. Leaky mask? Try a looser (not tighter) fit, especially if it's a silicon skirt. When returning to a boat, ascend to the tag line, inflate your BC, remove your fins, and keep that reg in your mouth while climbing the ladder and until seated. Drink water untill you run clear and drink some more. Respect the crew's seen and unseen work: if you can't afford a good tip, you can't afford to go. Be of good cheer.

 

[300bar]

Don't agree with the Tip part, but that is your local custom. Overhere we just pay a fair price.
But thanks for the rest of your story, it has been a learing process for all of us

 

[Scubalot]

Don't agree with the Tip part, but that is your local custom. Overhere we just pay a fair price.
But thanks for the rest of your story, it has been a learing process for all of us

Merci, 300bar. I'll try to remember that pourboire tip, so to speak, while diving Corsica in June. If you've been there, can you offer any suggestions?

 

[MkIXI]

I think if you're traveling and you're in an expensive sport like scuba you can tip well. When I was a college student, we took a trip to Cozumel. It was expensive, especially as a student, but what is at least $5 on top of it? We ended tipping quite a bit in the end, but the experience was amazing and those divemasters were so much fun.

Plus, if everyone tips a little, no one has to tip a lot.

 

[kiming]

You've learned a lot in a short time. All solid advice, I think. thanks for the post and welcome to scubaboard.

 

[yelldawg]

As long as we're on the subject, what is considered a "fair" tip? Is it a percentage of the price, like at a restaurant, or like 1-2 bucks per suitcase for the hotel bellman?

Does the price vary by location? Ie., US versus Carribean, etc.?

Should you tip your instructors for your OW, AOW, or other specialty classes when at your LDS?

 

[bcaderunr]

That is outstanding. Thanks for sharing. It took me 5 years and 200 dives to achieve that level of awareness. I think I was trying SO hard trying NOT to make a mistake that I never allowed myself the luxury of messing up a little bit and REALLY learning from experience. As soon as I realized that it was OK to be "less than perfect" -- that's when I really began to improve.

Whenever I'm with a new group on a liveaboard or at a resort, I'll do my best to spot the most experienced (and ego-less) divers and quietly say: "You guys are obviously pretty experienced. If you see anything this week that you think might make me a better diver, I'd appreciate it if you let me know." Maybe, someday, someone will say THAT to me! That's my fantasy.

 

[Scubalot]

As long as we're on the subject, what is considered a "fair" tip? Is it a percentage of the price, like at a restaurant, or like 1-2 bucks per suitcase for the hotel bellman?

Does the price vary by location? Ie., US versus Carribean, etc.?

Should you tip your instructors for your OW, AOW, or other specialty classes when at your LDS?

I tipped $50 per crew member on week-long liveaboards in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The crew size varied from 6 to 8. At a resort in Roatan, I tipped a few points higher than the resort-recommended 10% to 12% for the regular staff and, for the two-member boat crew, $50 each. That $50 was suggested by our dive leader from our club (we were a group of 23 on two boats).

Good question re tipping Instructors; I'd like to hear what others have done. My NAUI OW course lasted 8 weeks + a weekend checkout dive involving a motel stay-over; it was a long bonding experience. I organized a happy hour at my motel room where we gave our 2 instructors custom T-Shirts and, for each, a gift bottle of fine spirits. My PADI AOW instructors were equally competent but with just one meeting ahead of the weekend check-out dives the bonding was not the same; my buddy and I brought food to share at a picnic that weekend. We later wondered whether we should have done more; the assistant instructor, e.g., was a young volunteer.

 

[Scubalot]

That is outstanding. Thanks for sharing. It took me 5 years and 200 dives to achieve that level of awareness. I think I was trying SO hard trying NOT to make a mistake that I never allowed myself the luxury of messing up a little bit and REALLY learning from experience. As soon as I realized that it was OK to be "less than perfect" -- that's when I really began to improve.

Whenever I'm with a new group on a liveaboard or at a resort, I'll do my best to spot the most experienced (and ego-less) divers and quietly say: "You guys are obviously pretty experienced. If you see anything this week that you think might make me a better diver, I'd appreciate it if you let me know." Maybe, someday, someone will say THAT to me! That's my fantasy.

On my first liveaboard, I announced I was a newbie and asked for criticism. Wow, I got a lot the first few days, but by then end of the week I received several compliments that I deeply appreciated. Surprisingly, at week's end I learned there was another newbie aboard but he never requested feedback. I still seek feedback and advice, especially from experienced divers and shop owners, but why not be open to learning from anyone? I'm also wary of some experienced divers b/c they often (1) get casual about buddy-checks, as if that's just for newbies, and (2) have the SOB (Same Ocean Buddy) mentality. Both are needlessly risky and set a poor example.