What is a guided dive?

[servopuff]

We were in Key Largo last week and since it was our first time diving there we elected to have a guide for our first dive trip. We joined three other divers and the guide for two dives and we were appalled by the behavior of the other divers and the guide with regards to the fish and animal life during both dives. The guide was constantly poking his hand into crevices to coax morays out for a photo op. Once he took off a fin to poke at a lobster who came out of his hole and fled at lightning speed. The other divers repeatedly used the CORAL to steady themselves by pressing on it and one in particular was picking things (barnacles?) off of brain coral, looking at it shortly and then tossing it away. The guide saw a ray in the distance and signalled exitedly to us and then TOOK OFF after it, leaving my buddy and me far behind. He also didn't maintain any kind of contact with his own buddy that we could tell. We are not experienced divers by any means but we were really shocked by this behavior and now I'm wondering if this is normal for operators in Key Largo?!? Is it the guide's 'job' to poke out as many poor animals as possible for the benefit of the divers who just want to see as many different creatures as they can?!? Is this how they get big tips maybe? Or are we being incredibly naive?

 

[Web Monkey]

The guy was a jerk, but almost every tropical DM I've seen has grabbed/poked/harassed the animals to see them.

Personally, I wish there was a way to make them stop. I'd be happy with just pointing at where the animal is, and not harassing it.

Terry

We were in Key Largo last week and since it was our first time diving there we elected to have a guide for our first dive trip. We joined three other divers and the guide for two dives and we were appalled by the behavior of the other divers and the guide with regards to the fish and animal life during both dives. The guide was constantly poking his hand into crevices to coax morays out for a photo op. Once he took off a fin to poke at a lobster who came out of his hole and fled at lightning speed. The other divers repeatedly used the CORAL to steady themselves by pressing on it and one in particular was picking things (barnacles?) off of brain coral, looking at it shortly and then tossing it away. The guide saw a ray in the distance and signalled exitedly to us and then TOOK OFF after it, leaving my buddy and me far behind. He also didn't maintain any kind of contact with his own buddy that we could tell. We are not experienced divers by any means but we were really shocked by this behavior and now I'm wondering if this is normal for operators in Key Largo?!? Is it the guide's 'job' to poke out as many poor animals as possible for the benefit of the divers who just want to see as many different creatures as they can?!? Is this how they get big tips maybe? Or are we being incredibly naive?

 

[divekraz]

No your not naive but all DM's are not equal. Just like any other profession there are better and worst people in it. Most will point out the wildlife, stay with the group, and stress not to touch anything, leave nothing but bubbles is repeated for a reason. Some are looking for the big tip and he probably thought your inexperience would equal amazement and result in a big tip. Next time you may want to voice your concern with the dive shop to see if this is their normal practice and decide if you want to continue using them in the future.

 

[Cacia]

the most effective method when a dive guide starts the pony show with the critters is.....look away, swim away...just act very disinterested. A few will start banging the crap out of their tank or rattle...just ignore them, pleasantly.

I can't stand it when I am shooting WA and people keep grabbing me to shoot some microscopic this or that. Pretending not to see or hear works the best for me.

They are trying hard...either for enthusiasm or tips but the more sophisticated ones "get it". The octupi molestors get to me after awhile, ripping the poor things from their holes. Having said that, I am guilty of engaging big "friendly" (hungry) animals. But I don't feed or do it with an audience.

 

[RonFrank]

That's not good behavior for a DM. With the DM guide setting the example it's not surprising that the other divers had poor behavior.

What DiveOp were you diving with?

 

[REII]

We were in Key Largo last week and since it was our first time diving there we elected to have a guide for our first dive trip. We joined three other divers and the guide for two dives and we were appalled by the behavior of the other divers and the guide with regards to the fish and animal life during both dives. The guide was constantly poking his hand into crevices to coax morays out for a photo op. Once he took off a fin to poke at a lobster who came out of his hole and fled at lightning speed. The other divers repeatedly used the CORAL to steady themselves by pressing on it and one in particular was picking things (barnacles?) off of brain coral, looking at it shortly and then tossing it away. The guide saw a ray in the distance and signalled exitedly to us and then TOOK OFF after it, leaving my buddy and me far behind. He also didn't maintain any kind of contact with his own buddy that we could tell. We are not experienced divers by any means but we were really shocked by this behavior and now I'm wondering if this is normal for operators in Key Largo?!? Is it the guide's 'job' to poke out as many poor animals as possible for the benefit of the divers who just want to see as many different creatures as they can?!? Is this how they get big tips maybe? Or are we being incredibly naive?

Amy;

What outfit were you diving with? I am curious because I have been diving in the Keys many times and I have never seen anything like that. However, as others have mentioned, not all DM's are a like. Yours apparently had an alterior motive.

TOM

 

[RonFrank]

Amy;

What outfit were you diving with? I am curious because I have been diving in the Keys many times and I have never seen anything like that. However, as others have mentioned, not all DM's are a like. Yours apparently had an alterior motive.

TOM

I'm wondering if they dove with the same Cowboy outfit that feeds the fish at the City of Washington, and kisses Nurse Sharks. I've certainly not see the behavior described using any of the DiveOps I've dove with, and I've used about six different OPS to date any of which I would recommend.

 

[REII]

I'm wondering if they dove with the same Cowboy outfit that feeds the fish at the City of Washington, and kisses Nurse Sharks. I've certainly not see the behavior described using any of the DiveOps I've dove with, and I've used about six different OPS to date any of which I would recommend.

I was thinking the same thing. Those guys have a pretty bad rep.

TOM

 

[Diver0001]

I'm wondering if they dove with the same Cowboy outfit that feeds the fish at the City of Washington, and kisses Nurse Sharks.

Would that be the guy with the missing lip? LOL

To me it sounds like possibly an inexperienced DM or someone who took the Discovery Channel crash course on showing animals to spectators....

R..

 

[Guba]

I have a tendency to use the same tactics as Catherine. On a recent dive in Cozumel, one jerk (not a divemaster, though) couldn't keep his hands off the wildlife. He chased a flounder all around one pinnacle, jerked a "sleeping" nurse shark's tail, poked at the lobsters, and was even preparing to "ride" a sea turtle! On the boat, he asked why I backed away and didn't shoot video footage. I had to tell him, "Because I'm going to show this footage to my students, and I don't want them to learn bad habits about how to treat marine organisms."
When he looked shocked, I also mentioned that I was a representative of the National Marine Sanctuary in the U.S. and we have a partnership relationship with the marine preserve system in Mexico. Therefore, he didn't want me to shoot, because it COULD be construed as "evidence".
His behavior was much better on the next dive.