Check dives, private DMs, and local/shop policies

[vondo]

What I liked most about Aldora is that none of our dives were limited by one member's lack of experience. We basically had a boat full of completely compatible divers ... and with a small group and large tanks we got the most out of our available dive time.

Some info, not that it will matter. My first "checkout dive" in Cozumel was in 2009 with a maximum depth of 26m and 66' bottom time. The second dive was in 2012 with a maximum depth of 28m and 70' bottom time. Both times I used a full tank of air, more or less. If that's being nannied, I will take it any day of the week.

 

[Oldbear]

I dived Coz twice before my first 50 dives. When I look back at that experience I wish I hired a private DM. Nothing bad happened other than me getting sick during the dives :yuck:...but I was always getting sick and did learned to puck thru my reg.

But still having a private DM would have been nice to assist and sharpen my skills.


Just an after thought...

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I didn't need one ... the "checkout" dive was so enjoyable we asked to go back to the same site later in the week for a night dive.

There are many dive ops to choose from. You choose them based on your own preferences of their policies. What I liked most about Aldora is that none of our dives were limited by one member's lack of experience. We basically had a boat full of completely compatible divers ... and with a small group and large tanks we got the most out of our available dive time.

At no time did I ever feel "nannied" ... and I can't say that about all the places I've gone for a dive vacation ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Cool! Did you do any drift dives on the wall at night? Or was this site relegated to "first dives" and night dives?

 

[Qnape]

My first dive trip was to Cozumel approximately 6 years ago. I was certified in NJ along with my daughter, who was 14 at the time of our trip a few months later. I did my research, and found that conditions in Cozumel could be a bit more challenging than at some other destination due to current, prevalence of swim-throughs, and depth of dives. I learned that many of the sites we wanted to dive were a bit deep for new divers, so we took that into account!

My daughter and I did our OW, practiced in PA quarrys, practiced more, did our AOW, practiced more, then headed out for our first dive trip. I dove with BlueXTSea, and welcomed a private DM. Aside from safety factors, we were concerned about depth, SAC rates, and holding up a group with more experience. After all, I was diving with my daughter; I wanted to make it great, but increase the safety factor every way I could think of. Our concerns about our abilities proved groundless, and we did just fine. After 2 days, we were told we did not need the DM, but I requested to continue with the private DM for the rest of the week. What a great decision! As new divers, we would never have seen anywhere near the diversity of life on our own as was shown to us by our private DM, particularly in a current! After all, that is why we were there - the private DM just nailed that trip for us - we were hooked on diving in a big way. We each have nearly 200 ocean dives under our belts now. I have since consistantly told anyone interested of the true value having a private DM presents - not only in peace of mind for the newer diver, but the advantage of having a great guide to really show you what there is to see, and not merely what your inexperienced eyes would identify as you follow a group.

I will be returning to Coz again in April for the fourth time. I am deeply saddened by the loss of this diver, and feel that based on the few facts known that the presence of a private DM could and probably would have prevented whatever tragic events led to her loss. New or inexperienced / rusty divers, please consider all the advantages a private DM can offer. The added safety may be the basic rationale, but it is far from the only reason to consider this option. They are not nannies or crutches but can assist tremendously with adjusting to an unfamiliar environment, and can offer tremendous added value to introduce a newer dive to the reef environment.

I hope that new or new to Cozumel divers reconsider any misgivings they may have about the use of a private DM, and consider instead the many advantages they may offer.

 

[mediumone]

Not only kids...every diver is different and matures (builds & retaines experience) differently.

Yes, but not only maturation, also aptitude. I'm pretty good in the water, and on the baseball diamond. Basketball court and the golf course ---- oh my god, what a mess. The only time that I will ever pick up a golf club again, will be when I need a weapon.

Yes, you are technically correct.

I've maintained the old standards and feel good about it. THe standards DO actually say that they *Jr. Divers) must dive with an adult diver after certification. I make exceptions to this policy on a case by case basis as well depending on the Jr Divers dive history, the parents history, how well do WE know them as divers, etc. For example, we have a now 14 (almost 15) year old that certified at 12 with us. His parents have been diving with us for 7 years, two to three times per year. The child has been diving the past 5 trips with them and the trip prior to that was his certification trip. The parents voluntarily hired a private DM for him the first trip for the dives he did the week following his certification, and for the following trip. The third trip, which was only 6 months after the prior trip - we put a private DM with him for the first dive day, and the rest of the trip he dove with his parents. This how each trip goes now - with the exception of the last trip! He had a DM the first day, did great - so the second day he was with his parents. He "acted up" during the dive and kept swimming away from the group - he was with a private DM the rest of the trip = his parents supported and encouraged this as well.

Every kid is different and matures differently. If they have the time in the water and demonstrate responsible diving - we have no problem allowing them to dive with their parents as the "adult diver." If the parents are also novice divers and/or we do not have a diving history with them - then we will insist on the private DM for the child for at least the first day or two to evaluate the situation.

Again, this is not only for the safety and enjoyment of the particular diver - but also for the other paying divers on the boat!

Makes sense to me. Again, not that it matters, I agree. My kids, when they were between 12 and 15 were good divers, and didn't clown around. I'll take some credit for their behavior, but I think most of it was their instructor. He was really, really good.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Cool! Did you do any drift dives on the wall at night? Or was this site relegated to "first dives" and night dives?

We did several wall dives ... including one at night.

I'm having a hard time understanding why you're persisting on this topic ... if the idea of a checkout dive doesn't appeal to you, then choose an op that doesn't require one. But this is a pretty inappropriate thread to be going off on that tangent ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[dumpsterDiver]

We did several wall dives ... including one at night.

I'm having a hard time understanding why you're persisting on this topic ... if the idea of a checkout dive doesn't appeal to you, then choose an op that doesn't require one. But this is a pretty inappropriate thread to be going off on that tangent ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I think that has been my point all along Bob... I'm not using Aldora if they ignore all certifications, logbooks and experience...

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I think that has been my point all along Bob... I'm not using Aldora if they ignore all certifications, logbooks and experience...

You persist in saying that despite being corrected multiple times. OK ... we get it. I'm sure they'll miss your business something fierce. Now ... can you PLEASE take it a more appropriate thread?? This one is about a woman who died. Your insistence in turning this into an attack on a local business is inappropriate in the extreme.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[clownfishsydney]

I think that has been my point all along Bob... I'm not using Aldora if they ignore all certifications, logbooks and experience...

Sometimes certifications, logbooks and (stated) experience are not worth the paper they are written on. A well know dive operator on the Northern NSW (Australia) coast used to ask newer divers "who was the instructor who certified you?". He always said that this gave him a better idea of the diver's ability.

I must say, that as an Australian, I find all the talk of private DMs amazing. I do not know of a single person from here that has ever hired a DM to look after them. If you cannot look after yourself, then you should not be diving.

PS I have done over 3,400 dives all over the world, from the tropics to the fjords of Norway.

 

[xyrandomyx]

Sometimes certifications, logbooks and (stated) experience are not worth the paper they are written on. A well know dive operator on the Northern NSW (Australia) coast used to ask newer divers "who was the instructor who certified you?". He always said that this gave him a better idea of the diver's ability.

I must say, that as an Australian, I find all the talk of private DMs amazing. I do not know of a single person from here that has ever hired a DM to look after them. If you cannot look after yourself, then you should not be diving.

PS I have done over 3,400 dives all over the world, from the tropics to the fjords of Norway.

I'm not knowledgeable or experienced enough to give an informed opinion about the pros and cons of new divers hiring a private DM. But while reading this thread, I was wondering: If after doing a checkout dive with an op they recommended that I hire a private DM, would I? I think that I probably wouldn't. I'd rather ask if there were sites suitable for my skill and experience level that I could restrict my diving to. And if there weren't, I'd rather just skip all the diving.