Living Underwater Review

[caseybird]

Apparently, Cozumel isn't ready for DIR divers yet. For shame.

 

[scubawife]

Apparently, Cozumel isn't ready for DIR divers yet. For shame.

I don't think this is a "DIR" issue. I've been on boats there with DIR divers and also a couple non-DIR divers who were just of the attitude that their money was better then their boatmates and the dives should only be selected and planned to their specifications... These two dive ops were able to adapt to that and keep everyone happy.

I don't question that in RTodd's eyes, his review is exactly how his week of diving went. What does always surprise me a bit about very negative Cozumel dive op reviews is that with so many choices in Cozumel, if the one you booked with doesn't suit you, or for whatever reasons can't meet your personal requirements for your dive days, there's no need to stay with them. Just spend a few hours in the afternoon, make a few calls, go into a couple offices and book yourself with a dive shop that's going to be a better fit for you.

I would still like to know who RTodd has dived with and been satisfied with in Cozumel. That would give everyone reading this thread a better understanding of comparison and his perspective. It would also direct like-minded divers to better suited dive shops.

 

[ggunn]

I don't think this is a "DIR" issue. I've been on boats there with DIR divers and also a couple non-DIR divers...

DIW divers? ;^)

 

[Christi]

I would still like to know who RTodd has dived with and been satisfied with in Cozumel. That would give everyone reading this thread a better understanding of comparison and his perspective. It would also direct like-minded divers to better suited dive shops.

I'm told it was Blue Angel and by his accounts, they let him do whatever he wanted and dive solo. But I don't believe it. If that was the case, and they let him do whatever he wanted...why change? I wouldn't be surprised at all if he pulled the same attitude with them, and he was told where he could take his money next time...but of course that last part is just speculation on my part.

 

[kentmorrdave]

and Jeremy had a boat today with 7 divers. Two were doing their first open water dives. Here is our profile from today: Colombia 85fsw for 73 minutes Colombia Shallows TWO HOURS FIVE MINUTES. Whatever buddy.I also got to dive with MMM, and that was nice, too.

 

[MMM]

Yes, that is what I heard also. Having dived with them, I know they allow a lot of freedom, but only on two occasions have I surfaced without the DM. Once because I was really, really pokey and came up behind them and once because I went into deco and decided ascend to a higher level which separated me from the group. I got a scolding in the latter but not the former. I´ve never seen them say to divers "go your own way". That does seem to be common on the east coast of Florida when I´ve dived there. Of course, the laws are different in Cozumel where all divers must be accompanied by a local DM.

I'm told it was Blue Angel and by his accounts, they let him do whatever he wanted and dive solo. But I don't believe it.

 

[scubafanatic]

....does LU REALLY use LP 120's ??? ....I used to own a couple of Faber LP 120's, and if I remember correctly, full they came in at about 55 lbs...... now I'm a big tank fan ( I own 1 HP 130, 4 HP 120's, 1 LP 108, 2 HP 100's...not counting 2 sets of doubles ) but even I sold my LP 120's a couple of years ago...those things were just too big/bulky/cumbersome ! To me, the only conceivable advantage to a LP 120, over say, an HP 120, is the 'theoretical' ability to get a juicy 'cave' fill.......however, Cozumel ISN"T FL cave country.......and in my 4 trips there I NEVER received a tank filled to even it's maximum 'legal' capacity, much less a 'cave' fill.......and the LP 95's I used with Dive with Martin were never even filled to the 2640 psi "+" rating..........so I guess I'm at a loss as to the advantage of a LP 120 versus a HP 120.....and the HP 120 is a much more managable tank...am I missing anything ?

P.S. ..yes, I know the dive ops in Coz don't do their own fills (another advantage to liveaboards, I can ask for tank top-offs at will.)

 

[lamont]

To me, the only conceivable advantage to a LP 120, over say, an HP 120, is the 'theoretical' ability to get a juicy 'cave' fill.......

LP120s have the largest water volume you're likely to find, so psi-per-psi you get more gas. Even with an LP120 filled to 2640 and an HP120 filled to 3000, you'll have more in the LP120. If its difficult to get 3500 psi HP fills on coz, then right there is your reason to go for the LP120 with the largest water volume.

Freaking big, though. Dive shop here used to have an LP120 and LP131 that were left around by a customer who never came back to pick them up. Huge tanks -- but still light compared to double-130s. The LP131 might be long enough that i'd start to kick the bottom of it, too..

 

[Diver Dennis]

Hmmm. Two less than glowing dive reports from the OP and no response to these threads after the original post. Seem like from what I have read, the problem was with the diver, not the operators.

 

[scubafanatic]

LP120s have the largest water volume you're likely to find, so psi-per-psi you get more gas. Even with an LP120 filled to 2640 and an HP120 filled to 3000, you'll have more in the LP120. If its difficult to get 3500 psi HP fills on coz, then right there is your reason to go for the LP120 with the largest water volume.

Freaking big, though. Dive shop here used to have an LP120 and LP131 that were left around by a customer who never came back to pick them up. Huge tanks -- but still light compared to double-130s. The LP131 might be long enough that i'd start to kick the bottom of it, too..

Hi Lamont,

I think you missed my point on the fills in Coz...it's not a case of the compressors not being able to reach 3500 psi versus being able to reach 2640 psi...the LP tanks were just as underfilled as the HP ones.....I think the issue is 'hot fills' that cool down to underfills and both the HP's and LP's are equally affected....my LP 95's ended up in the 2300-2400 psi range...my HP's ended up in the 3100-3300 psi range...Coz doesn't overfill tanks a bit to compensate for cool-downs.

Karl