Things they don't teach in SCUBA school

[oldschoolto]

I use a large carabiner ( Carry three ) to hook my fins to the bc or just to make holding them easier... If the surf is bad I can clip them off one to each side to help stay balanced... And as a side note; You can wear gloves in Bonaire for getting in and out of the water and going up or down a line from a boat or buoy... You must remove the gloves when not needed for the above two things... And If you find yourself in a bad way, Turn your back to the shore so the tank takes the hit from the rock and not you.. Then roll back over and get the F@cK out...


Jim...

 

[gypsyjim]

Good way to lose your fins, trying to toss them out ahead of you on an exit.

We learned to clip off our fins to a D ring, which keeps both hands free, keep our masks around our neck in case we fall or get swept back into deeper water , and move as quickly through the rough water as quickly as possible.

 

[tursiops]

And as a side note; You can wear gloves in Bonaire for getting in and out of the water and going up or down a line from a boat or buoy... You must remove the gloves when not needed for the above two things.

Where did you get this information? It is in direct conflict with the written rules of the Bonaire Marine Park.

 

[oldschoolto]

Where did you get this information? It is in direct conflict with the written rules of the Bonaire Marine Park.

Let me dig it up... It was in some bonaire paperwork I was reading... Give me a few... I also shot a email to STINAPA to get it from the horses mouth...

Jim...

This is from Bonaire talk...
1) Diving on a wreck - can use two gloves (one per hand)
2) Ascending/Descending on a mooring line - one glove
3) Doing a clean-up dive - one glove (but two okay if the circumstances are correct (big trash))
4) If you have a note from your doctor indicating you require them to dive AND you've cleared it with the Marine Park by paying them a visit at Barcadera with note in hand.

Page 38 In Diving Bonaire by George Lewbel, George S. Lewbel, L. R. Martin Say's. For shore entry gloves may be wore and then removed once in the water...

 

[TMHeimer]

Good way to lose your fins, trying to toss them out ahead of you on an exit.

We learned to clip off our fins to a D ring, which keeps both hands free, keep our masks around our neck in case we fall or get swept back into deeper water , and move as quickly through the rough water as quickly as possible.

I should have been more specific. If you are shore diving in open ocean in New Jersey or, say, California, there is no "close enough" to toss your fins ashore. And by that time you're probably close enough anyway to walk out holding them. If you are in a place where there aren't open ocean waves, I guess you must rely on good judgement if you toss your fins to shore. Hmmm...rocket science.

 

[oldschoolto]

Ok. I have had a few emails back and forth with bonaire STINAPA... All the stuff I have read in books and forums or told by divers on Bonaire is " WRONG " .. "OFFICIALLY" the " ONLY " use of gloves is with a doctor's note, Written within 30 days of going to the STINAPA office and they " MAY " let you wear gloves.. It's not a done deal just because you have the note..

So " AGAIN "... I stand corrected... No gloves..

Jim...

 

[tursiops]

Let me dig it up... It was in some bonaire paperwork I was reading... Give me a few... I also shot a email to STINAPA to get it from the horses mouth...

Jim...

This is from Bonaire talk...
1) Diving on a wreck - can use two gloves (one per hand)
2) Ascending/Descending on a mooring line - one glove
3) Doing a clean-up dive - one glove (but two okay if the circumstances are correct (big trash))
4) If you have a note from your doctor indicating you require them to dive AND you've cleared it with the Marine Park by paying them a visit at Barcadera with note in hand.

Page 38 In Diving Bonaire by George Lewbel, George S. Lewbel, L. R. Martin Say's. For shore entry gloves may be wore and then removed once in the water...

Well, that book is 25 years old, I'm not even sure what the STINAPA rules were back then! Although it doesn't matter; it is the current rules that count.

There is as much bad info as good info on Bonaire Talk.

(Oops. Just saw your later note about a response from STINAPA.)

 

[Freewillow]

I am watching this thread and I do not get email notice on new folloxw up messages

 

[Bob DBF]

Good way to lose your fins, trying to toss them out ahead of you on an exit.

We learned to clip off our fins to a D ring, which keeps both hands free, keep our masks around our neck in case we fall or get swept back into deeper water , and move as quickly through the rough water as quickly as possible.

Dependant on exit I've been known to toss them out ahead of me with no bad result, however it is a judgement call and so far so good.

Most of the time when I take my fins off, I shove them up my arm to the elbow, it seems to work fine for me, and involves no extra equipment. The mask stays on and snorkel in mouth 'till I'm clear of the water, then it goes on my arm as well. I have a bungeed second available and my primary is clipped off on the swim in.


Bob

 

[oldschoolto]

Well, that book is 25 years old, I'm not even sure what the STINAPA rules were back then! Although it doesn't matter; it is the current rules that count.

There is as much bad info as good info on Bonaire Talk.

(Oops. Just saw your later note about a response from STINAPA.)

That's what the emails were about... OLD RULES and NEW RULES... I'm guessing the use of gloves became a problem with diver not removing them.. So... NO GLOVES .. No more problem..

Jim...