Whats normal?

[tyesai]

First, I've got 7 dives, so I don't know, thats why I'm asking.

I went diving with a charter this weekend, had a good buddy, but it seems like when we get down it is off to the races. To me there is so much to see in a 10 foot area but the dive masters just take off, swim swim swim swim swim swim swim. I can't even really look around. To busy swimming checking air, checking buddy and swimming.

It isn't like it is physically to much, but I haven't seen much either. There is a fish/wreck/eel and oh **** lets keep going, gotta hurry up so we can get there and turn around, wherever "there" is. Granted I've been diving with only 3 different groups of people but it seems par for the course.

If there is any photographers in Spain that want to dive and need someone to hang out over their shoulder I'm game. At least I'd be able to watch the pretty fishes for a minute.

 

[Walter]

Some folks like to move quickly, others like to take their time. Choose a different buddy and take your time. Don't follow the DM, dive your own dive.

 

[TSandM]

Are all the dives where you are done with guides?

I'm with you; guides almost always swim too fast and cover more ground than I want to. I think there are a bunch of reasons for it, starting with the fact that people don't feel as though they've gotten their money's worth if you only stay in a small area. And then you have the fact that an awful lot of divers are so unstable in the water that they HAVE to swim all the time. And finally, it's been mentioned here before that dive ops keep the divers moving so they'll use their gas faster and be back on the boat in less time.

The best answer is not to do guided dives, if they can be avoided.

 

[diver 85]

DMs get paid by the yard(or meter in your case maybe)-----next time, let someone know up front you want to 'take it easy' & not have a horse race down there, otherwise you'll let them know in their tip....

 

[tyesai]

Are all the dives where you are done with guides?

I'm with you; guides almost always swim too fast and cover more ground than I want to. I think there are a bunch of reasons for it, starting with the fact that people don't feel as though they've gotten their money's worth if you only stay in a small area. And then you have the fact that an awful lot of divers are so unstable in the water that they HAVE to swim all the time. And finally, it's been mentioned here before that dive ops keep the divers moving so they'll use their gas faster and be back on the boat in less time.

The best answer is not to do guided dives, if they can be avoided.

Me and a buddy have gone once and done a beach dive, that was fun even though we had a 350 plus meter surface swim to get were we wanted to go cause la policia wouldn't let us unload our car on a road that says " authorized vehicles only " ****ing tourista's drive up and down it all day snapping pictures from there rented BMW's ( including us swimming ), kids fish off the road in a marine reserve, and the prick won't give me 3 minutes to unload my car. Rant off.

But yes the dives have been guided except for the one I mentioned above. We are going again Monday, that should be fun, but I haven't had to much fun with the guided dives yet.

I'd prefer to go with people I know, but out of the 6 I've found at work, they are to busy, there spouse wants them around ( understandable as we do work a lot ), they aren't going to be here (TDY), it is cold, their back hurts, the suns to bright, my booty shakes from the left to the right, ect; ect;. I'm trying to get my wife involved but I'm in no way pushing her as I want her to want to go as nothing good can come of someone forcing someone into an activity such as SCUBA.

 

[chazrich]

my booty shakes from the left to the right

I can't say I have ever heard this excuse. I guess it must have some effect on streamlining, eh? :mooner:

 

[DBailey]

Some folks like to more quickly, others like to take their time. Choose a different buddy and take your time. Don't follow the DM, dive your own dive.

First, follow the boat rules and what was discussed in the dive briefing. If it was agreed in the dive briefing that everyone would follow the guide/DM, then follow the guide/DM. There are some locations (certain marine parks) is that every group needs to be accompanied by a guide/DM. Ask if you can dive your dive, and plan accordingly.

Second, it is ok to tell the guide/DM to slow down while underwater.

 

[Walter]

First, follow the boat rules and what was discussed in the dive briefing.

Any operator that has such a silly rule should disclose it when you are booking your trip, not during the dive briefing. I do not book with operators that require divers to follow guides.

 

[Lee Taylor]

People just have very different dive styles. I know exactly what you are speaking of. My personal style is to let the conditions dictate the dive. If I have a camera and the viz is excellent, I will cover some ground. If I am digging for fossils and/or the viz is HORRIBLE I will stand my ground.

 

[spectrum]

tyesai


Lot's of divers enjoy a leisurely exploration, you just haven't been diving with them. Getting into a situation of diving independently with a known buddy as opposed to following a pack on a charter will be more rewarding. Spotting for a photographer is a nice way to dive as long as you are both on board with the objectives.

Pete