Gear too heavy to walk on boat/climb ladder

[Chicagolady]

Thank you. I now have a better idea what to look for and what to expect.

 

[Mike]

I really think you should be very careful where you dive and with whom you dive. You referred to the dive culture which is a good question and what it relates to.

The basic bottom line is you took classes and training in a sport that the basic certification means you're fully capable of scuba diving, handling your equipment, planning and executing a dive without assistance. That's the base line. There is the other culture in 'vacation' diving that has developed over the years where some locations and some diver operators working in these locations have created this 'valet' dive service which basically means they handle all your equipment, set it up, break it down etc... then you've got other locations where they cater to really bad divers and they basically have adopted a way to get everyone into the water, herd them around and get them back out no matter what their skills or abilities. But there are other locations where you're on you're own.

So in one camp, you really shouldn't be scuba diving if you can't get in and out of the water by yourself. It's not really safe, you can't be a buddy to another diver, you have limitations on yourself and being a fair weather diver, safe as long as nothing goes wrong or conditions don't unexpectedly change. It's just a really dicey situation to be in your position and you really need to be careful, fully explain your limitations to the dive operations you will dive with, really be careful in where you dive, diving in really tame locations.

But its not surprising that you will receive a mixed reaction from dive crew if they aren't previously aware of your limitations, because really the bottom line is you're supposed to be able to get on and off the boat in the way the boat operates, not every dive location or situation is safe for divers to be qued up it the water taking all gear off, big waves, lots of current etc.. and the boat has to maintain position and such and there can be situations where that just isn't going to work and the crew is going to freak out, or just freak out because they have somebody with really excessive needs on their hands without knowing about it. I mean at what point do you cross over from just being a diver who needs a hand now and then and when do you cross over to really being a disabled diver?

You might want to think about live a boards, the situations are more condusive sometimes to your style, you will be diving with the same crew day after day, they are more about taking care of the guests in special ways etc...

I'd say just research and make phone calls and really discuss before hand with the dive operations your circumstances and make sure you're comfortable that they will be able to accomodate you. I wouldn't expect to just show up and have all these special needs and spring that on a dive operation, you're going to continue to get mixed reactions.

 

[FinnMom]

It's not entirely clear to me how a neck injury precludes walking in gear that is hanging from your shoulders -- but I get the "gear too heavy to manage" thing. You're a relatively new diver, as I recall; it does get better. It's quite possible to build a tremendous amount of additional strength, even at our age. When I took my open water class, I could not climb out of the pool with an Al50 on my back. I now climb a couple of flights of ladder (not kidding) with double tanks. Slowly and carefully, but I do it. You can get stronger.

This too is true. I remember considering a back brace my first year diving with a 15L tank. I used to carry the tank & BCD to the water, then go back to put on my weight belt and put on the BCD on in the water. 3 yrs later I had a much bigger, heavier rig and no difficulties. Just take it slow to avoid injury and with time your muscles will develop more than you would have believed possible.

 

[Donnah]

My husband and I are in our 70s, and most of the people we dive with are in their 60s. I have never been with a dive operation where a crew member refused to help me get up with all my gear on or gave me a boost up the ladder. I have bad knees, and always tell them first thing how I will need a little help. We always give a good group tip and a bit extra to the crew who help the most. I can carry my gear OK, but I don't do tanks anymore.

 

[SKMoss]

You mentioned Catalina. Don't know if you've dived the dive park at the Casino. If not, you'll enjoy it from an entry standpoint. There's a nice sturdy wall right next to steps leading into the ocean. Gear up using the wall to support tank/bc. Install weights and off you go. Your probably only about 30' over all from the ocean at that point. Walk down the stairs (about 10 of them) w/hand rails, don your fins, and step, roll, fall, or face plant right into the water.

At a touch under 60 my self I'm finding the convenience of the stairs to be mighty handy.

 

[Chicagolady]

A lot of thoughtful points. My experience thus far with the sport (and the reason I wondered about the "scuba culture") is that even regular scuba schools have more of the resort get-em-in-the-water-fast mentality. I'd be surprised if most newly certified people could really handle themselves in many emergencies.
As to the issue of the DM giving me extra help, I understand your points that it would be hard for a boat to manage if there were many people asking for assistance getting up the ladder, that I need to talk to them about my needs ahead of time, and that it would be unsafe for me if there were significant waves or current while I'm trying to get my gear off in the water. (I didn't block the ladder when I did this so it didn't affect other divers exiting the water.)
As with the rest of diving, planning is going to be key, as is forgoing diving when circumstances make it too difficult.

 

[Mike]

I think you'll fall in where a lot of divers like yourself do and settle into a location that you like, and keep going back. Things will get easier after you find a dive operation that is a good fit and you go back and dive with them a few times. They will get to know you and you'll enjoy the familiarity.

A lot of Florida and California operate with dive masters on the boat only. You might be happier looking into the Caribbean, which is easy, warm water diving with dive masters in the water on every dive, they are used to guiding and helping divers. Cozumel has litterally a hundred different dive operators there and you'll easily find multiple ones that will end up being very accommodating to you. A lot of operators there do 2 morning dives and then an afternoon dive, where the after noon dives are easier, more relaxed and paced slower. You might find you really love doing afternoon dives there. It's mostly all diving on the protected side of the island so conditions are mostly very tame, but the diving is varied and interesting. It's really just a matter of finding out what suits you personally.

 

[Chicagolady]

Thanks for the tip Steve!

---------- Post added August 20th, 2014 at 06:32 PM ----------

My original plan was just to do warm water, easy dives. It was probably a good plan, and yes there's a lot to be said for finding my place and sticking with it. Thanks!

 

[pjhansman]

......you really shouldn't be scuba diving if you can't get in and out of the water by yourself. It's not really safe, you can't be a buddy to another diver, you have limitations on yourself and being a fair weather diver, safe as long as nothing goes wrong or conditions don't unexpectedly change.

Seriously? Based on what logic?

My wife can't climb a ladder with all her gear on. Yet oddly enough that has absolutely NOTHING to do with her being a great dive buddy.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

In my view, the OP is partially handicapped. Unable to handle their own gear. I think it is great that she is adventurous enough to pursue scuba diving, but the fact remains that she needs special help.

I think most operators will be perfectly willing to accommodate her need for extra help, but they should most definitely be informed of the disability before or at the time of booking. That way the boat can turn you down, place you on a different boat that may be configured better and maybe not pair you up with a DM who has a bad back. As for the tipping, it should have been done daily.

In addition, the boat crew needs to be warned of your issues upon boarding. They might decide to give you "priority seating" right next to the stern, so you can get in and out easier. They might decide to get everyone else in the water first and then provide whatever special help is needed to get in the water... or they might get you in first... The crew should be able to determine what are the best logistics to enhance safety.

I used to be a DM and even dove with a paraplegic guy who had ZERO use of his legs. It was a PAIN IN the ASS to deal with him, but to be honest, it was an inspiration to me that he continued to dive. We had to make special plans to get him safely in and out of the water and I would generally get paired up with him as a buddy.

All things that are doable, but if a diver needs special help, they need to make sure everyone is on the same page before booking the trip.