A ScubaBoard Staff Message...
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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...
You're absolutely right about the private divemaster. I've been on boats with newer divers who have had them and those who didn't but needed them. Your skill level is self-reporting, though. I dove on a boat at Christmas with a father and son who didn't take advantage of the free shore tank on their arrival day to check equipment and adjust weights (and discover that they really didn't know how to dive). So on our boat, we all had to wait and drift apart on the surface because they hadn't done so. Underwater, they didn't know how to kick - thought they were riding bicycles - and slowed everyone down even though I honestly am quite satisfied with slower dives. By the end of the second dive, they were marginally better. When I asked later at the dive shop about them I was told they had been recommended to get a private divemaster but declined because they "weren't beginners."
That is why the dive shops need to band together and set guidelines!
I have minimum requirements and require a Private DM if certain factors apply/don't apply
I personally like such a policy. Yes, I know that once a diver is "certified" they should be able to make the correct decisions and dive safely. But the reality is there are quite a few "certified" divers who have let their skill and general dive knowledge deteriorate over time. While they might have been a compliant diver when they passed their OW course, they are far from remaining a competent diver....Our policy,...,is to limit first day divers that we don't know, no matter the log book entries, to non threatening sites such as Palancar Gardens as long as the currents are OK. Once they have demonstrated their diving skills and the Dive INstructor has verified them, we then assign them to an appropriate boat for their remaining dives. ...
Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers
I happen to think that the use of a private DM for new divers is a good idea and promote that. However not many divers are going to pony up another $50-60 if they feel pretty confident. Our policy, and one that could be standardized as well, is to limit first day divers that we don't know, no matter the log book entries, to non threatening sites such as Palancar Gardens as long as the currents are OK. Once they have demonstrated their diving skills and the Dive INstructor has verified them, we then assign them to an appropriate boat for their remaining dives. IN some rare cases we require a private DM or refuse to take them out again...it happens!
Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers