What would you do?

[Gina/TeamKas]

Wow, what a total bummer! As a resident of the Kauai Scuba community I feel saddened by the way some people can't play well in the sand box together. I know at my shop we actually have meetings about professionalism, safety and customer service amongst other things. My advise, Don't be the victim. I've had people make mean and nasty comments in front of my guests too! Not just about conditions but about the company I work for. I've seen all sorts of unprofessional and unsafe actions over my last 7 years of diving and have learned to rise above it. If they are violating a standard turn them in, if they are being a jack, let'em be that. Focus on your divers and smile all the way to the bank.

That's how I stay sane. Best of luck to you scuba blessings!

 

[Dan Weidert]

Now my divers were not there yet, so thankfully I was the only one hearing this.



What I want to know is what would you have done? Would you have said something to this DI? What would you have said? Would you say something the next time you see this DI? What would you say? What would you do next time if this DI does it again?

Thanks for reading my post.

My suggestion depends on what your concern was.

If your concern was that his comments might create anxiety in the divers you were setting up, you could inform them that you dive this site often, you last dove it (fill in the date) and that you picked it/it was picked because it would offer them an excellent refresher course. You could continue that you want a safe dive and an excellent experience for each of them.

If your concern is that he is making you look bad in front of the others, stop, breathe, think (don't act) and ask yourself why does it matter. Then proceed to give your crew the safest and best dive possible.

Dan

 

[Scubaman7596]

You Know what is funny? I had some refresher certs down there today. The vis wasnt the best when you get out a ways then it was better. Any how I think i know who you are talking about! The person was doing the same thing to one of my customers. When the customer was looking for me. Hmmmmm!!

Here is how i handled it.
I was honest with my customer today.

"Look we got hit with a rain storm last month the vis isn't the greatest" I'll keep you out of the really bad spots, this is where we will go, what we will do, etc,etc,etc.....

Now he signed up to go boat diving twice and the other guy too.

I have actually had that happen a few times before from other OWSI's and DM's so it is nothing new.

Honesty is best policy with customers. No if ands or buts about it.

Most people really appreciate the truth.

Others are scared of it or just don't like of it. But these people are very few and far between.

Remember "All is well, that ends excellent" Then dive another day

 

[llqwyd]

julie...while it is sad to know that other divers on the island know the DI in question, hopefully you will find solace in the fact that you are not his only target. anyone who has read the post will know that the vis was not the issue on the day in question. in fact, it was quite good.

it troubles me to hear that his behavior has not only affected you, but also affected other instructors here. it seems to me that it is high time that we all come together and try to put all this nonsense behind us and get on with the business (and pleasure) of diving. i think that your best bet would be to continue the positive approach that you have already established. maybe others will decide to follow your mature example.

 

[samaka]

BTW saw this DI today and just gave him a big smile and waved.

Wicked!

I'll take you up on that offer to come and see you in the shop as well.

...a...

 

[Teamcasa]

You know, after reading this thread and the replies it is no wonder why I love diving on Kauai. All of you (save this one DM) have class and want to focus on giving us, the diving customer, nothing short of a wonderful diving experience.

Speaking for all of the visitors to your little slice of paradise, I just want to thank you.

 

[divetatoo]

Hey Julie.
My question is... how did you handle it?

I would have ignored him. If I had other divers with me, I would have kept it light and upbeat. They will look to you for your reaction. I would handle their concerns, if they even had any. We deal with a lot of ego's in this industry. How ever you handled it, it must have worked out fine. If the visibilty was fine and conditions were okay, even his own students would know he was trying to play "the role". As far as his attitude towards your dive shop or other DM's or DI's, it doesn't matter if he is right or wrong... it is his opinion, and rarely do we change peoples opinions when we differ.

Sounds to me that you have thought and re-thought this scenario through and I would venture to say that you will handle it in the best interest of our industry and students. Cheers!

 

[--tom--]

The super high road is almost as much fun as the low road...

If you know this instructor's name (or not) you can always say something like... "Hey, Dude(tte)!! Great to see you! How's the class going folks? (to the students) Fantastic! I gotta finish setting my stuff up, but it's nice to see you all out here. We're doing fun dives in a couple weeks, maybe we'll see you here? Have a fabulous day!"

That kind of over the top, uber-friendliness will put most jackholes at a loss since they don't know how to respond.

Rachel

Perfect. I confess when this happened to me, I took it to a little to far. I did the enthusiastic congratulations thing, super polite. Then I handed out my DM card & asked them to e-mail me so I could give details about the fun dive. I still dive with one of those former students.

That other instructor still has bad feelings towards me, I wonder why.....

FWIW, I would rather dive a nice person than a blow-hard. Julie, this is your professional competitive advantage. It is okay to press the advantage.

 

[vtxkev]

I would have laid the smack down on their azz lickety split then gave out my card to their students. No seriously I would have wanted to and prolly would have said some smart azz remark because thats who I am. Cant imagine you make a killing off teaching diving so would have been no big loss if your shop couldnt take a joke. All in all you handled it right and like most other ppl would have. I'm just a hothead when ppl bother me.

 

[DMJulie]

thanks for the recent posts on this issue.

divetatoo- the way that I handled it was not to do anything. I turned my back on him and never look over to indicate that I even heard him. I just got my gear set up and started talking to the other DI that pulled up who was getting ready for his students. I did tell this new DI what the loud mouth DI had said. The new DI said the other guy is a jerk and to ignore him.

I do love all the comments everyone has made. Some have really made me laugh.

Thanks again.