The scuba diving industry is thriving with new members each year. People become certified as scuba divers for many different reasons. Some were coerced by their loved ones, some have a true interest for the underwater world, some wanted an activity that they could engage while discovering exotic destinations, some wanted to extent their passion for photography to the marine environment, some did it to conquer a challenge, etc, etc. Whatever the reason was to get certified, it is estimated that certified divers amount to about 15 mill worldwide. Many agencies estimate that out these 15 million divers worldwide, about 7 million can be considered active divers. These active divers either live on areas conducive to diving so they engage in diving activities on their free time, or on yearly diving holidays. Almost 3 million divers take a diving holiday each year. These 3 mill divers are the ones we have come to know as: scuba tourists.
Dive professionals around the world can relate to the following scuba tourists: divers who forget their certification card and/or log book and, by the confused look on their faces, they didn't know they had one to begin with (or their location and/or importance), beginner divers that are doing their first ocean dive, or divers that haven't been diving for a while (let's say, seven years?). We also have the divers who hate it but are diving because "my husband loves it and wants me to do it", and the self proclaimed "nervous divers" (" I'm always nervous on the boat, but when I'm in the water is ok"), to name a few. Also, we have the scatter-bug: those with no notion of space and time. Their dive gear and towels are spread through the boat or beach area, as if a black hole opened up and coughed up all their items. They typically loose track of some piece of dive gear before the first dive: a mask, a bootie, a fin or where their whole gear is set up. Normally, these scuba tourists will enjoy any dive, do not have extremely high expectations (a shark, a ray, a wreck, a wall, over 200 Ft visibility, no current, oh, and a free swimming moray eel, all on the same dive) and as long as they make it back to the boat/shore safely, they typically enjoy their dive trip. As professionals in the business we have encountered the exact opposite as well: the scuba tourist who regardless of diving experience, thinks he or she knows it all, and that particular omniscient knowledge will exempt said diver from listening to dive briefings or follow instructions. Also, said diver will deny any help setting up their gear(while clearly the first stage regulator is on the wrong side and the BCD is upside down) and has dove in pristine and incredible places that do not begin to compare to the below standard dive that they are about to do (although it is the first time diving at this location). This is the type of scuba tourist we simply, nod and smile to, while images of a fire pit in hell and sharks with tridents, pass through our brains. The crew will wait for them to turn around so they can fix their dive gear and prevent them from getting seriously hurt. Also, those who think that are Neptune's Gift to Humanity, are the ones that the crew will probably have to control their buoyancy, triple check their air, and prevent them from hurting others (by slapping, kicking or simply swimming on top of others) throughout the dive. At the end of the dive trip, they still think they know it all, they hated the dive ("because this wall doesn't compare to Belize" or Palau, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bonaire: insert any country), and although the crew bled all their energies in keeping them safe and straining an almost impossible smile for the sake of customer service, the concept of tipping is as alien to them as little green men sunbathing in the moon.
Scuba diving, for the most part, is a very easy sport, and to be able to dive successfully you just have to remember to use your brain and access your training, experience and common sense. Through common sense you know not to do anything stupid and know your limitations. Ideally, your experience includes what you have learned from past mistakes, and your training gives you the basics to enjoy the sport. The main risk comes when the tourist diver, in addition to having the "know it all" attitude, also leaves the brain at home when they go on holiday. While they remembered turning off the stove, and connecting their answering machines, they forget to pick up the brain at the door, or clicked the disengage button when they stepped off the cruise ship ( seemingly, to conserve batteries?). These tourist divers become not only a risk to themselves, but a risk to the people who accompany them, to other divers in the same group and to the professionals handling the dive trip. Like in any other sport with a certain amount of risks; awareness and the ability to follow basic guidelines, go a long way in the process of minimizing those risks.
Following is a list of guidelines for all of us, regardless of diving level, that should be followed when in the role of scuba tourist:
1. Don't leave your brain at home, or your c-cards and/or logbook if you manage, and make sure the batteries are charged. You can charge your batteries by sleeping and eating well, hydrating, and not getting drunk or using drugs before diving. Remember, your brain gives you access to common sense, past experiences and training.
2. If you don't remember something, ask the crew. If you need help, ask the crew.
3.You don't have to do dive if you don't want to. Diving is a personal decision and you should know your limitations (either physical or psychological). If you don't want to dive, tell the crew.
4. Listen to dive briefings and follow them. They are meant to increase your safety and enjoyment.
5. If you haven't been diving for a while or have any concerns about yourself or the dive, talk to the crew.
6. The diving community welcomes everyone, regardless of sex, sexual preferences, ethnicity, age (minimum 10 years old with most agencies to a maximum of ?), religion, language, social/economic group, left handed or right handed, handicapped, etc. Be polite and welcoming to others on your dive trip.
7. Keep your personal belongings and diving gear organized. It will be easier to keep track and prevent lost items. Most boats have designated dry areas. Stowage is limited, and unless you are the only person on the boat, you should be courteous with the space available.
8. Be aware: aware of what you are doing, where are you going, and what's happening around you. Keep track of your air, your time, your location and your dive buddies, by being aware; it is your responsibility as a certified diver. Awareness prevents problems from surprising you.
9. Enjoy yourself. Remember that any dive is better than a day at the office (a day in court, a day doing tax returns, a day doing surgeries, a day teaching the alphabet, etc.)
10.Tip your crew ( if tipping is allowed). Worldwide, pay rates in the diving industry are quite low compared to the amount of liability that the profession entails. If a good service was provided, a few extra dollars are highly appreciated.
As divers, at one point or another in our lives we will be a scuba tourist, diving being the primary focus of our holiday or just a one day sidebar. Remembering these simple guidelines, will make your whole diving experience more comfortable and enjoyable for yourself, and for all of those around you.
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The author is a PADI Master Instructor , SDI Referral Instructor, and has been a dive professional for six years. Meeting, diving and teaching people from all over the world are the most rewarding factors of this career.
©Vivian Toro 2009
Dive professionals around the world can relate to the following scuba tourists: divers who forget their certification card and/or log book and, by the confused look on their faces, they didn't know they had one to begin with (or their location and/or importance), beginner divers that are doing their first ocean dive, or divers that haven't been diving for a while (let's say, seven years?). We also have the divers who hate it but are diving because "my husband loves it and wants me to do it", and the self proclaimed "nervous divers" (" I'm always nervous on the boat, but when I'm in the water is ok"), to name a few. Also, we have the scatter-bug: those with no notion of space and time. Their dive gear and towels are spread through the boat or beach area, as if a black hole opened up and coughed up all their items. They typically loose track of some piece of dive gear before the first dive: a mask, a bootie, a fin or where their whole gear is set up. Normally, these scuba tourists will enjoy any dive, do not have extremely high expectations (a shark, a ray, a wreck, a wall, over 200 Ft visibility, no current, oh, and a free swimming moray eel, all on the same dive) and as long as they make it back to the boat/shore safely, they typically enjoy their dive trip. As professionals in the business we have encountered the exact opposite as well: the scuba tourist who regardless of diving experience, thinks he or she knows it all, and that particular omniscient knowledge will exempt said diver from listening to dive briefings or follow instructions. Also, said diver will deny any help setting up their gear(while clearly the first stage regulator is on the wrong side and the BCD is upside down) and has dove in pristine and incredible places that do not begin to compare to the below standard dive that they are about to do (although it is the first time diving at this location). This is the type of scuba tourist we simply, nod and smile to, while images of a fire pit in hell and sharks with tridents, pass through our brains. The crew will wait for them to turn around so they can fix their dive gear and prevent them from getting seriously hurt. Also, those who think that are Neptune's Gift to Humanity, are the ones that the crew will probably have to control their buoyancy, triple check their air, and prevent them from hurting others (by slapping, kicking or simply swimming on top of others) throughout the dive. At the end of the dive trip, they still think they know it all, they hated the dive ("because this wall doesn't compare to Belize" or Palau, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bonaire: insert any country), and although the crew bled all their energies in keeping them safe and straining an almost impossible smile for the sake of customer service, the concept of tipping is as alien to them as little green men sunbathing in the moon.
Scuba diving, for the most part, is a very easy sport, and to be able to dive successfully you just have to remember to use your brain and access your training, experience and common sense. Through common sense you know not to do anything stupid and know your limitations. Ideally, your experience includes what you have learned from past mistakes, and your training gives you the basics to enjoy the sport. The main risk comes when the tourist diver, in addition to having the "know it all" attitude, also leaves the brain at home when they go on holiday. While they remembered turning off the stove, and connecting their answering machines, they forget to pick up the brain at the door, or clicked the disengage button when they stepped off the cruise ship ( seemingly, to conserve batteries?). These tourist divers become not only a risk to themselves, but a risk to the people who accompany them, to other divers in the same group and to the professionals handling the dive trip. Like in any other sport with a certain amount of risks; awareness and the ability to follow basic guidelines, go a long way in the process of minimizing those risks.
Following is a list of guidelines for all of us, regardless of diving level, that should be followed when in the role of scuba tourist:
1. Don't leave your brain at home, or your c-cards and/or logbook if you manage, and make sure the batteries are charged. You can charge your batteries by sleeping and eating well, hydrating, and not getting drunk or using drugs before diving. Remember, your brain gives you access to common sense, past experiences and training.
2. If you don't remember something, ask the crew. If you need help, ask the crew.
3.You don't have to do dive if you don't want to. Diving is a personal decision and you should know your limitations (either physical or psychological). If you don't want to dive, tell the crew.
4. Listen to dive briefings and follow them. They are meant to increase your safety and enjoyment.
5. If you haven't been diving for a while or have any concerns about yourself or the dive, talk to the crew.
6. The diving community welcomes everyone, regardless of sex, sexual preferences, ethnicity, age (minimum 10 years old with most agencies to a maximum of ?), religion, language, social/economic group, left handed or right handed, handicapped, etc. Be polite and welcoming to others on your dive trip.
7. Keep your personal belongings and diving gear organized. It will be easier to keep track and prevent lost items. Most boats have designated dry areas. Stowage is limited, and unless you are the only person on the boat, you should be courteous with the space available.
8. Be aware: aware of what you are doing, where are you going, and what's happening around you. Keep track of your air, your time, your location and your dive buddies, by being aware; it is your responsibility as a certified diver. Awareness prevents problems from surprising you.
9. Enjoy yourself. Remember that any dive is better than a day at the office (a day in court, a day doing tax returns, a day doing surgeries, a day teaching the alphabet, etc.)
10.Tip your crew ( if tipping is allowed). Worldwide, pay rates in the diving industry are quite low compared to the amount of liability that the profession entails. If a good service was provided, a few extra dollars are highly appreciated.
As divers, at one point or another in our lives we will be a scuba tourist, diving being the primary focus of our holiday or just a one day sidebar. Remembering these simple guidelines, will make your whole diving experience more comfortable and enjoyable for yourself, and for all of those around you.
------
The author is a PADI Master Instructor , SDI Referral Instructor, and has been a dive professional for six years. Meeting, diving and teaching people from all over the world are the most rewarding factors of this career.
©Vivian Toro 2009
