Restore my confidence in Cozumel

[Chris66]

I have always loved diving Coz and felt that it had a special place in the diving world. I always thought that almost with few exceptions that all the dive ops were excellent, that the DM's were superb, the captains were superb and the environmetn safe however the events of late have me really rattled. Here I refer obviously to the Scuba Mau incedent. I am not referring to the specific divers (even though one wasthe owner of the dive op) and certainly not the downwellings (which although the need to be taken seriously, were CLEARLY not the cause of this misadventure. What I am referring to is some of the stuff that seems to be coming out (granted some of it in heresay) about DM's offering deep dives to customers off the clocks and of dive ops without insurance and of diveops inadequately equipped for emergencies both with equipment (enough oxygen) and with contingency plans (no recall plans etc). And of boat captains maybe not bieng as attentive as they should be...Please tell me that I am just bieng emotional at this time and that this is not the case... I realize this is all coming out of one incedent but this is a dive op that has always been considred to be in the top 5 dive ops??

Chris

[judydivescoz]

There are lots of choices for Dive Ops in Cozumel. Pick one, check around and most importantly, never dive when you feel uncomfortable. Its OK to say no. We have been diving in Cozumel for the past 10 years now up to 3 or 4 times a year and have never been asked to dive beyond our comfort level. I plan on continuing with that philosophy.
I have never dove with or even met the folks from Scuba Mau, regardless of the circumstances of their accident, they are in my thoughts and prayers hoping that they all recover.

[Brules]

You are being emotional, and irrational. All of it pretty much hearsay, especially the part about DM's offering dives off the clock. This whole incident seemed to be an off the clock/friends dive - so I wouldnt worry about it being normal by any means.

Even if some DM's would do it behind a shops back or off the clocl, which is possible, so what? It is obviously something that does not happen during normal business hours, and does not effect 99.99999999999% of us who visit and dive there. If someone wants to tempt fate and do something insane, on their own time and dime and they find a DM crazy enough to do it - so what? It doesn't make Cozumel any less safe or worse off.

Everything is pretty much 2nd hand, details are shady, and if ANYTHING this incident will probably make all the opperators, DMs, shop owners and boat drivers that much safer. I can imagine every owner has had a conversation with their employees about this incident and I can hope/guess that NOT doing something similiar has been made clear. Incidents like this tend to make people more aware and re-evaluate common practices, so hopefully that is the case here as well.

Don't worry and dive on!

[njones259]

What's to restore?First off cozumel is one of the finest places to dive in the world and has great dive ops.It is totally up to the diver to have insurance and decide what type of diving they will do.I have never done a dive that I didn't feel comfortable with.
I have dove with Scuba mau for 3 years love everyone there and will continue to dive with them if they continue to stay in business.I left coz the morning of the accident and saw them right before they went out on the boat,everybody was in good spirits and looking forward to a great day of diving.
As divers it is up to us to make our own choices.I know Heath liked dives that were more aggrssive and dove a reasonable profile nothing crazy like 250 feet.As far as mexican insurance goes I would venture to say it is probably useless.

[Nursediver]

I am a big believer in personal responsibility. You make your choices. Don't make reckless ones and chances are you will be fine. The most valuable piece of dive equipment is your brain. If someone offers a reckless dive, just say no.

[Insta-Gator]

Dive according to your training, skill and good judgement. With that said, you can dive anywhere you like, irrespective of the location or dive ops.

[driftin' by]

So a rogue DM offers to take you to 400fsw, are you going to submit like some lemming? For real?!?!


I realize this is all coming out of one incedent but this is a dive op that has always been considred to be in the top 5 dive ops??
One of the top 5 least expensive, yes which would certainly lend to their popularity but probably not a top operator in terms of quality service.


All of it pretty much hearsay, especially the part about DM's offering dives off the clock.
It's not all hearsay. The DM has made a post here on SB about the details which collaborates with much of the hearsay. The only hearsay at this point is the report of a down-current.

Nevertheless, you correct that this kind of dive isn't going to take place on a customer dive outing and to think or worry that you might get caught up in such reckless diving is foolish.

[Mark Derail]

It's normal that a very popular dive destination will attract the most attention.

It's like saying you won't drive through Manhattan because New York has a higher car crash ratio than Montpelier, Vermont.

I did my referrals and first 10 dives in Feb 2011 in and around Cozumel. I had confidence in my PADI training and my own gear.

[Jax]

Please tell me that I am just bieng emotional at this time and that this is not the case...
Chris

You're being emotional. :hugs:

You do not need confidence in Cozumel. You need confidence in yourself.

You need only the self-confidence to decline going further than your training and comfort level allow. Please don't forget that Coz is a FABULOUS place to practice that. ;)

[Jax]

It's like saying you won't drive through Manhattan because New York has a higher car crash ratio than Montpelier, Vermont.

:confused: I think that is a damn fine reason to not drive through Manhattan! :rofl3:

[pjhansman]

Personally, my confidence in the diving and dive ops in Coz hasn't changed a bit in spite of recent events and discussions People do odd things for odd reasons, but that's what keeps us interesting.

In fact, I'm booked for 10 days in Coz at the end of March....4th trip and I can't wait. :D

[diveprof]

Given time, every dive location obtains some negative press - humans make choices and sometime outcomes are not what we would wish. However, I am an adult and I understand personal responsibility. I've been going to (c)OZ - I do think more of it as "OZ" than "Coz" - since the early 1980's and the land of "OZ" it never ceases to amaze me. I go elsewhere, but I keep coming back here. My initial impressions in the early 80's was that this was as good as it gets. Bad decisions were made in the name of cruise ship tourism and politics (like trashing a wonderful reef so cruise ships could dock several miles from town so folks would have to support a large taxi industry rather than just building the thing in town where folks could walk to town). I avoided (c)OZ for a few years because of this. Then there have been the hurricanes that created devistation - particularly Wilma, but also Gilbert , Roxanne and Emily. Yet, the reefs of (c)OZ remains special and continually renew themselves - yes, with scars, but also with new hope/growth and marine life. Neither man nor nature has been able to destroy this wonderful underwater paradise. Let's hope that remains so in the future. On my recent trips I particularly noted greater attention being given by the dive ops to preserving the reefs. Mexico's current President is a diver. Let's hope he will work to preserve "OZ."

[sharky60]

First of all, there are always going to be people in ANY business that cut corners and don't obey the rules.

The key for divers is to find a reputable dive op that DOES play buy the rules and takes all the safety measures required for you to come back from a dive safe and healthy.

for someone who is new to a location this is very hard, even with such great resources as SB... who's opion do you trust?:O

It's really quite simple, keep a running tab of the dive ops you see most often with positve remarks about them, not just cheerleading, but real, reasons why folks dive with these ops.

When asked, I usually post a short list of 5 dive ops, these are people I have either personally dove with or have observed the exceptional service and care they give to thier customers. by the way, only 2 dive ops have earned the later recommendation.

For the amount of divers that dive on Cozumel every day & the amount of boats heading out to dive, fish, parasail...whatever, the safety record overall is quite remarkable.

Accidents will happen, that is for sure, but the first thing you need to realize is that your safety is YOUR resposibility first and foremost.

Be in good health, obey the rules of diving, watch your limits, know your personal limits, make sure and have all safety equipment you should have, continually educate, (not just collect cards, but LEARN STUFF),and gain experience as a diver.

Do some muck diving occaisionally, bad vis is a very good training ground to make you a better diver overall.

I wouldn't let the latest "news" get you down and keep you from coming back to a place you obviously like to go to. Remember, bad news travels faster than good news and also gets more attention. There are still many more positive reasons to come back to Cozumel then anyone can come up with negitive reasons not to go back...

[DjDiverDan]

I haven't lost any confidence at all in Cozumel as a Diving location; I've been going there for 20+ years, and will continue to go there. However, this Dive Incident HAS reinforced my prior operating assumption - Do Not Shop for Dive Ops on Price Alone; if I'm relying on these folks to get me back safely from every trip, I don't need to pinch pennies. There are a number of Dive Ops that I will Not use. No need to name names here, but as a general rule, any Dive Op which contracts with the Cruise Lines to take divers and any Dive Op which advertises itself as the cheapest will not likely get my business. If I'm on my own, I'll choose Aldora, for any number of reasons; all boats carry Oxygen, I can get a steel 120 tank, all divers are on cumputers, so I can pay attention to my own situation (i.e., if I get a couple bars into the yellow, I'll probably ascend a bit, & keep near or at the top of the group, & add minutes to my safety stop before surfacing), long surface interval on the beach, meaning extra safety on second dive. All these factors make me feel safer, and are worth any extra cost. But there are other Dive Ops I feel safe with as well. So find one that meets all your criteria & stick with it. Knowing nothing about Scuba Mau other than what happened here tells me I won't be diving with them, and if I learn that Dive Professionals at another Op also engage in this kind of reckless behavior, I won't dive with that Op either. Off day or not, I do not want to put my life in the hands of a DM that doesn't respect and assiduously follow the safety rules in his own diving.

[Chris66]

Thanks all - I guess I was bieng a little histrionic and yes I am comfortable as a diver and I dive and know my limits. Even in Coz, though a DM is in the water with you, I still see the dive op as a bus ride to the dive site and there after I am on my own and am responsible for my own decisions.

I guess I also look up to these DM's in a big way and respect them very much and so some of these events have shaken me a little but I guess its no different to when a plane goesd down - doesnt detract from the fact that flying is the safest mode of transport.

One thing I would like to see coming out of the boards is perhaps a little more transparency so that when posters ask for opinions on various subjects, dive ops, destinations that there is a little more honesty - for if not what is the purpose of the boards.

Thanks all and hope to see you in Coz diving with _____ dive op

Chris

[morecowbells]

My husband and I did our referral dive a few years back in Cozumel. It was intimidating reading some of these boards where posters would discourage new divers from Coz due to the currents and advanced dive conditions. Our dives were safe, uneventful and cause for my addiction to diving. I don't have the actual numbers but Coz attracts a tremendous number of divers from around the world. Precluding the world class diving, it is reasonable, safe, relatively easy to get to which makes it such a popular destination. I have a feeling that if one were to look at the statistics and ratios of the number of divers and the number of accidents, it would still be much lower than any other place.

My recommendation to you would to find a dive op which has small boats. Personally I avoid cattle boats like the plague. To assuage your concerns, perhaps it would be ideal for you to hire a private DM for your first couple of dives for added confidence.

[driftin' by]

One thing I would like to see coming out of the boards is perhaps a little more transparency so that when posters ask for opinions on various subjects, dive ops, destinations that there is a little more honesty - for if not what is the purpose of the boards.

Well I think everyone is honest. Unbiased? Probably not! As with everything you read, you have to hone the truth on your own and find a correlation between the facts. Which I think SB is pretty good for.

[Mike]

Scuba Mau is one of the top 5 dive ops? I've barely heard of them before this incident.

Personally I don't think you're over reacting to the incident as much as I think you have had rose colored glasses on til now.

It's freak'n Mexico for one thing. But besides that you're talking about over 400 dive ops and what? a thousand dive masters or more? Crazy sh*t is going on all the time just based on the shear numbers. You're going to have great and you're going to have poor versions of everything and everything in between. You've got incidents happening everyday in a place that like most tourist areas does its best to ignore and limit information about anything negative. You've got dead divers, bad air, reckless captains, cowboy divemasters, lax safety.. you name it it's happening there. But no different then any place else. At the same time there are thousands of successful dives happening every week, there are great ops with major emphasis on safety, great dive masters and captains. Same as everywhere else. I think you're just a bit naive if all this time you thought the place was some perfect utopian dive destination. You don't really think this was Opal's first dive past recreational limits on air right? Or for that matter that she's alone in pursuing these activities there?

Please don't condemn the place over some actual reality getting out, and at the same time let's not think Cozumel's dive community is filled with only angels and saints. There isn't a dive trip I've taken there yet where I haven't witnessed dive masters decisions crossing over into gray areas, or divers under false senses of security. I can't really think of many dive trips anywhere where I haven't witness things that raise an eyebrow or things that save for conditions being different could have resulted in very different outcomes for all parties involved.

[Dirty-Dog]

People do stupid things all over the world. I recommend that when you're on Cozumel, you avoid planning dives with suicidal profiles, inadequate gear and that are way beyond your training. If you do that, then you'll face no more than the usual risks that are faced by all divers. :)

[Zman96]

So are you never going to drive again because somebody drove 120mph while drinking and wrapped himself around a tree. These were bad decisions made by a few individuals and should not be used as an indictment on the safety of diving in Cozumel. Most pro's I have met in Cozumel are safe and detail oriented and I have never in my limited time of diving in Coz an off the clock crazy dive. Enjoy Cozumel and all it has to offer.

[Thalassamania]

You should not indite Cozumel here, I have known of similar dives made on almost every tropical diving destination I've ever been too. It usually involves one or more Instructor/Dive Guide types and an off island friend and starts out ... "You just gotta see this ..."

[ggunn]

Bad decisions were made in the name of cruise ship tourism and politics (like trashing a wonderful reef so cruise ships could dock several miles from town so folks would have to support a large taxi industry rather than just building the thing in town where folks could walk to town). You are blaming the taxi service on Cozumel for the placement of the southern cruise ship dock? That's quite a reach for even the most paranoid taxi-haters. :crafty:

[ggunn]

I haven't lost any confidence at all in Cozumel as a Diving location; I've been going there for 20+ years, and will continue to go there. However, this Dive Incident HAS reinforced my prior operating assumption - Do Not Shop for Dive Ops on Price Alone; if I'm relying on these folks to get me back safely from every trip, I don't need to pinch pennies. There are a number of Dive Ops that I will Not use. No need to name names here, but as a general rule, any Dive Op which contracts with the Cruise Lines to take divers and any Dive Op which advertises itself as the cheapest will not likely get my business. If I'm on my own, I'll choose Aldora, for any number of reasons; all boats carry Oxygen, I can get a steel 120 tank, all divers are on cumputers, so I can pay attention to my own situation (i.e., if I get a couple bars into the yellow, I'll probably ascend a bit, & keep near or at the top of the group, & add minutes to my safety stop before surfacing), long surface interval on the beach, meaning extra safety on second dive. All these factors make me feel safer, and are worth any extra cost. But there are other Dive Ops I feel safe with as well. So find one that meets all your criteria & stick with it. Knowing nothing about Scuba Mau other than what happened here tells me I won't be diving with them, and if I learn that Dive Professionals at another Op also engage in this kind of reckless behavior, I won't dive with that Op either. Off day or not, I do not want to put my life in the hands of a DM that doesn't respect and assiduously follow the safety rules in his own diving.To each his own. I dive with a no-frills dive company on Cozumel and I never feel like I am being short changed when it comes to safety. True, I have to wrangle my own gear and they don't take me to upscale beach clubs between dives, but I don't care about that stuff and won't be paying extra for it.

[blue steal]

To each his own. I dive with a no-frills dive company on Cozumel and I never feel like I am being short changed when it comes to safety. True, I have to wrangle my own gear and they don't take me to upscale beach clubs between dives, but I don't care about that stuff and won't be paying extra for it.
Now Gordon I wouldn't call it a no frills company. (no names mentioned lest I be cheer leading)
The DM's and boat captains are great, SI's have water and fruit and pasteries.
Get to dive your gas or time.
Back at the shop has rinse tanks, hanging racks, lockers, bathroom, and nice shower.
Plus lunch with a cold "Victoria" is usually included.

And I don't mind "wrangling" my own gear either, actually prefer it.

[diveprof]

You are blaming the taxi service on Cozumel for the placement of the southern cruise ship dock? That's quite a reach for even the most paranoid taxi-haters. :crafty:

Not really blaming the taxi folk unless there is a connect with the taxi consession and the ownership of the pier, though this was an initial impression and it is an outcome. Do you have a better explanation as to why they trashed one of the nicer shallow reefs when they could have put this downtown with minimal reef impact or need for taxi service to do anything other than shop in the purpose built cruise ship shopping area at the pier (well maybe that could explain things too - cruise lines own this or who??)? I'm open to other thoughts. My thought was that the only logical reason that I could see that they would put it there was to insure more local employment (taxi drivers). I am willing to hear other logical explanations for selection of this location.
However, all this is jsut a side story to the point I was trying to make. Coz is OZ. Neither man nor nature has thus far managed to ruin this as a dive destination (yet).

[Jax]

You should not indite Cozumel here, I have known of similar dives made on almost every tropical diving destination I've ever been too. It usually involves one or more Instructor/Dive Guide types and an off island friend and starts out ... "You just gotta see this ..."

:confused: Are you sure about that???

I thought it began with, "Hold my beer . . ." Then, "you just gotta see this . . ." or "Hey, y'all watch this . . . "

[ddeborahdelamar]

cruise lines own this or who??)? I am willing to hear other logical explanations for selection of this location.

The southernmost pier, Puerta Maya, is owned by Carnival Cruise Lines and the International Pier is owned by the SSA Marine division of Carrix, Inc.

I can't answer your question as to why either facility is located where it is.

The intown pier, Punta Langosta, which is locally-owned is under utilized, presumably due to high docking fees.

[ggunn]

Not really blaming the taxi folk unless there is a connect with the taxi consession and the ownership of the pier, though this was an initial impression and it is an outcome. Do you have a better explanation as to why they trashed one of the nicer shallow reefs when they could have put this downtown with minimal reef impact or need for taxi service to do anything other than shop in the purpose built cruise ship shopping area at the pier (well maybe that could explain things too - cruise lines own this or who??)? I'm open to other thoughts. My thought was that the only logical reason that I could see that they would put it there was to insure more local employment (taxi drivers). I am willing to hear other logical explanations for selection of this location.
Well, it could be the same economics that determines where anything else is built. Negotiations over property, access to infrastructure, natural conditions making construction easier, and/or any of a myriad other factors that we have no way of knowing about. I think you have put two and two together and come up with fourteen.

[boulderjohn]

I have no plans to visit Cozumel at this time, but it has nothing to do with the recent situation. That stuff has been going on there and at every other dive destination I have visited for my whole diving life--behind my back and without my knowledge. It only affects me if I choose to let it affect me. If a dive master were to offer me some sort of off the books deep dive on his own--which I don't imagine would ever happen--I would simply turn him down and continue with the safe dives normally offered.

Now, when I do go again, I will probably be interested in some of the deeper diving opportunities or perhaps a look into the caves there. When that happens, I will contact the legitimate and safe operators who offer those services to customers with the appropriate training to take advantage of those opportunities.

The key idea is that I will be in charge of those decisions, as is true of anyone visiting Cozumel or anywhere else that offers diving.

[MMM]

I guess its no different to when a plane goesd down - doesnt detract from the fact that flying is the safest mode of transport.


What happened here is quite different from when a plane goes down. No comparison.

[boulderjohn]

What happened here is quite different from when a plane goes down. No comparison.None whatsoever.

[DandyDon]

400 dive ops...?? :confused:

I guess I also look up to these DM's in a big way and respect them very much and so some of these events have shaken me a little but I guess its no different to when a plane goesd down - doesnt detract from the fact that flying is the safest mode of transport.
Wellllllll, counting on a DM to take care of you would be a poor choice I think. Brief and lead the dive yeah, but my buddy & I will take care of ourselves until time to board. If you lack that confidence, maybe do a Rescue course?

One thing I would like to see coming out of the boards is perhaps a little more transparency so that when posters ask for opinions on various subjects, dive ops, destinations that there is a little more honesty - for if not what is the purpose of the boards.
The problem is that people ask for recommendations, without saying what they want in an Op, few bother to ask - just start cheering for their favs for no reasons usually, but mostly none ask for pros & cons so not only do posters not say why they like an Op, no one is going to criticize any usually.

People do stupid things all over the world. I recommend that when you're on Cozumel, you avoid planning dives with suicidal profiles, inadequate gear and that are way beyond your training. If you do that, then you'll face no more than the usual risks that are faced by all divers. :)
Fortunately, no one has ever suggested one to me and not likely anyone will to anyone. You might ask for one, but no one offers them.

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

I'd still say that most of the dive ops are excellent, the DMs superb, the captains superb and the underwater environment fairly safe given the usual cautions.

It is kind of tough sometimes to read through everyone's posts here about their favorite dive shops and get a warts-and-all picture. I know I tend to avoid saying anything negative about an operator on these forums, even though there have been a few that I haven't liked as much as I had hoped--partly because I don't want to potentially damage anyone's business with my personal opinion that's maybe based on a bad day or two (and so far, I've never encountered a small-boat operator that wasn't trying pretty hard to please us), and also because of a reluctance to invite a cheerleader pile-on. So I don't think your desire for more transparency, or at least candidness, is completely unfounded.

I agree with everyone who's basically saying don't do anything unduly risky, and ask your questions before you step on the boat. And most of all, if you have a DM who's leading dives in a way you don't like, say something, ask for someone else or vote with your feet. We've done it. We don't use the most expensive operator in town, but I do have confidence in their regard for diver safety. I base part of my opinion on noticing that the DM seems mindful of his own safety. Not that I actually know what our op's contingency plans are, or how many oxygen masks they have on the boat. Those are probably great questions to ask.

We've been going to Cozumel for about 20 years--not as long as some people here, but a while nonetheless. And we've been other places near and far as well. Things that are especially good about Cozumel, I think, beyond the quality of the diving itself, is that it has a really well-established dive infrastructure, with lots of good shops to choose from, ditto professional DMs, and ready access to hyperbaric treatment should you have the misfortune to need it. It's not remote. You can find operators who have good, well-maintained equipment if you need to rent. The DMs tend to speak our language pretty well, since so few of us have a firm grasp of theirs. While not every divemaster is fantastic, so many are, and I think it's pretty rare to find yourself under the guidance of a rank amateur. There are a lot of places in the world where all of those things are more difficult to come by.

[firstdive2005]

This has got me thinking. I like to ski, a lot. I live pretty close to major ski areas. Banff and Jasper. Last year people died at these extremely popular ski destinations. And alas Sony Bono died doing this sport.....should I go there or not???? sorry but you get my drift right?;)

I don't think any shop on the island would take you out to do the dive that the accident produced unless you where certified and fully equipped for it. (trust me I wish they had been equipped)
Like what was stated earlier, in all likelihood the dive ops of the island just became ever MORE safer! I can't wait to get back. I hope you do too.:D

[Centexbear]

I am waving my magic wand over your head.

There, your confidence is now restored.

[leoconnor]

I am a big believer in personal responsibility. You make your choices. Don't make reckless ones and chances are you will be fine. The most valuable piece of dive equipment is your brain. If someone offers a reckless dive, just say no.

Very well said. A few more thoughts...

Dive to your training or get more training. If another diver or DM has NAFOD, it does not mean you have to follow suit. Practice good situational awareness (in or out of the water). If you don't feel comfortable with a particular operator, CHANGE ops!

Respect the abyss... and remember that sometimes SJHTF.

Although this incident has generated quite a bit of discussion with my DH/buddy --(mostly of the "if you went bonkers and kicked down a wall at warp speed, would I make myself a 2nd victim or not? " variety), it will not change our minds about going back to Coz.

[driftin' by]

Do you have a better explanation as to why they trashed one of the nicer shallow reefs when they could have put this downtown with minimal reef impact

Not to fuel this hijack but perhaps it is to keep the pod-people more captive, shopping and dining at that audacious and overpriced mall at the pier and keeping them from experiencing the "real" Cozumel by venturing into town to eat authentic food and buy authentic merchandise where the profits are NOT shared with the Cruise line. :shakehead:

[ff1diver]

Go back to the scuba diving basics...

Plan your dive...Dive your plan

Have your scuba equipment regularly maintained...and...

If God wants ya...He's gonna take ya...no matter what you are doing...just don't give Him a reason!!!!

:blessing::blessing::blessing::blessing::blessing:

Dive often...Dive Cozumel...

[sharky60]

:confused: Are you sure about that???

I thought it began with, "Hold my beer . . ." Then, "you just gotta see this . . ." or "Hey, y'all watch this . . . "

those are usually "famous last words" :D

[suprane]

Not to fuel this hijack but perhaps it is to keep the pod-people more captive, shopping and dining at that audacious and overpriced mall at the pier and keeping them from experiencing the "real" Cozumel by venturing into town to eat authentic food and buy authentic merchandise where the profits are NOT shared with the Cruise line. :shakehead:

Unfortunately, they do go to town in hoards despite the rather remote location of the southern piers! It is amazing to me to witness the masses of taxis lined up just prior to a ship arrival! Plaza Central and the surrounding area will become wall-to-wall pasty-legged tourists from mid-morning through late afternoon. And, as soon as the boats depart, half of the shops simply close down... Business is done for that day!

I have been going to Coz on a rather regular basis since the mid-80's. And when we first started going down there it was such a different place. So much simpler and less crowded and hectic. We used to enjoy making fun of the "boat people" when the rather rare cruise liner would pull in! Ahhh,,, but I wax nostalgic!

For me Coz is still a great place to dive for a huge variety of reasons, From DFW it is an easy 2hr and 45 min. direct flight! It still remains an exceptional value (although, admittedly, not as much as years gone by!). And it still has some of the best diving of anywhere I have ever been!

We try to go there at least twice a year if at all possible and then try a different or perhaps more remote dive location for one other trip during the year. And I still have not found anyplace that would make me not want to come back to Coz!!

[Ron Lee]

The President of Mexico dives in Cozumel. Think he and his family would be there if it was dangerous?

I think that recently he has been the dive op at Iberostar and with Aldora.

[TEERLKAY]

I have always loved diving Coz and felt that it had a special place in the diving world. I always thought that almost with few exceptions that all the dive ops were excellent, that the DM's were superb, the captains were superb and the environmetn safe however the events of late have me really rattled. Here I refer obviously to the Scuba Mau incedent. I am not referring to the specific divers (even though one wasthe owner of the dive op) and certainly not the downwellings (which although the need to be taken seriously, were CLEARLY not the cause of this misadventure. What I am referring to is some of the stuff that seems to be coming out (granted some of it in heresay) about DM's offering deep dives to customers off the clocks and of dive ops without insurance and of diveops inadequately equipped for emergencies both with equipment (enough oxygen) and with contingency plans (no recall plans etc). And of boat captains maybe not bieng as attentive as they should be...Please tell me that I am just bieng emotional at this time and that this is not the case... I realize this is all coming out of one incedent but this is a dive op that has always been considred to be in the top 5 dive ops??

Chris
don't know ya and ain't got no beef with ya but seriously dude you state you've been to coz and have complimentary things to say about the dive ops. You should've been asking these questions every time you dive with a new op:
what are your emergency procedures
what are your emergency supplies
do you carry o2 and how much
etc.

if they offer to take you to 300feet on air, politely decline, run back home and tell us all about it. it's bad enuff folks that have never been to coz are spooked but return customers?

[Darol]

Posted by TERRLKAY:
If they offer to take you to 300feet on air, politely decline, run back home.

More like Run for your life. :shocked2:

[dmoore19]

If one takes the time to ask the DM or the Captain:

what are your emergency procedures
what are your emergency supplies
do you carry o2 and how much

They are very glad to show. Trust me I know, I have done it. This is not for just when diving with a different dive op, it should be asked anytime you are on a different boat.

A few other things I have been known to ask:

What is the signal for an emergency recall?
Where are the life preservers?
What channel on the radio is used for emergency calls?

And one of my favorites

How do you operate the head?

I promise if you ask these questions the dive brief will be much better for all concerned. If there is no desire to answer these questions then it is time to get off the boat and ask for a refund.

[Jackie]

With all those drug cartels, I would not go to Mexico. Or dive to 300ft on a pony.
;)

Truly, riding a moped is the most dangerous activity you could do in Cozumel. No joke there.

[cvchief]

Dealing with the cartels, you just need to know if someone gives you a big tortoise, RUN!

[BTravlin]

How fast can you run carrying a big tortoise?

[Brules]

If you wear black socks and sandals you can run faster!

[dmoore19]

If you wear black socks and sandals you can run faster!

I have been trying that since I turned 55 I does cause my daughter great dismay, but I don't think it makes me run faster, unless you wear a fanny pack. The it makes you run faster.:D

[kixy1]

Add an "I'm with Stupid" tshirt and you'll FLY!

[ggunn]

I have been trying that since I turned 55 I does cause my daughter great dismay, but I don't think it makes me run faster, unless you wear a fanny pack. The it makes you run faster.:DI resemble that remark. I have and use (and occasionally wear) a "fanny pack". I got tired of stumbling all over the house every morning in my precoffee stupor looking for all the small crap (keys, wallet, checkbook, glasses, business cards, cell phone, beer opener, etc.) that I may need during the day. Now it's all in one place, one thing to grab. But of course, I am very confident in my masculinity. You? :D

[cvchief]

I resemble that remark. I have and use (and occasionally wear) a "fanny pack". I got tired of stumbling all over the house every morning in my precoffee stupor looking for all the small crap (keys, wallet, checkbook, glasses, business cards, cell phone, beer opener, etc.) that I may need during the day. Now it's all in one place, one thing to grab. But of course, I am very confident in my masculinity. You? :D

Seriously? a fanny pack WITHOUT a gun? :gun: Man you have to be confident in your masculinity....

[dmoore19]

I resemble that remark. I have and use (and occasionally wear) a "fanny pack". I got tired of stumbling all over the house every morning in my precoffee stupor looking for all the small crap (keys, wallet, checkbook, glasses, business cards, cell phone, beer opener, etc.) that I may need during the day. Now it's all in one place, one thing to grab. But of course, I am very confident in my masculinity. You? :D

Never questioned your masculinity why do you ask?

[ggunn]

Never questioned your masculinity why do you ask?Sure you did, but it's OK. :D

[dmoore19]

Sure you did, but it's OK. :D

My daughter made a comment the other day about some guy she saw with socks and sandals on. Then my stepson (who lives in Anchorage) told his mother she shouldn't bring her fanny pack along he didn't want to go any place with her if she did.

I think the next time they come to visit we should go out to dinner, I'll wear my socks/sandals and she can take her fanny pack. I'll bet they would both be up for a free meal.:D

[Darol]

posted by CVChief:


Seriously? a fanny pack WITHOUT a gun? Man you have to be confident in your masculinity....

Now that's base......;)

[cvchief]

I am just saying, fanny pack is a sweet way to carry and quick to draw, extra ammo and such. Problem is my wife thinks I look a little dorky with it... (Come to think about I am not sure the fanny pack had anything to do with the assessment....)

[BigFloyd]

I am just saying, fanny pack is a sweet way to carry and quick to draw, extra ammo and such. Problem is my wife thinks I look a little dorky with it... (Come to think about I am not sure the fanny pack had anything to do with the assessment....)

If you see any self-respecting guy here in East Texas wearing a fanny pack it means one thing and one thing only.....pistol. I sometimes still conceal that way when not working. Beats those inside the pants holsters or a darn ankle holster (the worst way IMO).

[cvchief]

Well, ankle is slow... but SO convenient. And it hurts if you ankles get too close together.... In East Texas I thought you just tied a rope to it and hung it around you neck? :rofl3:

[farsidefan1]

Just my 2 cents re: Scubamau. They have never offered me any risky dives of any sort. I loved the service. I gave them my gear upon arrival and never worried about it till I left. They rinsed, stored and put it on and off the boat. What happened was a tragedy. It did not involve any customers. I will certainly without hesitation continue diving with them. They are one of SEVERAL quality operations on Coz. I see no relationship between the tragedy and what might happen to customers.

[Darol]

I see no relationship between the tragedy and what might happen to customers.

Well put. It's tragic one would roll the dice.