Divemaster did NOT get in the water...

[Cyborg Pirate]

As a boat Captain and a DM/AI I can tell you that everyone’s comments are correct. Depending on the size of the boat/number of guests will dictate how many topside support members there are. Coast guard rules. Someone must stay topside and be the “watch” or look out. Usually that is the captain. The watch can not be watching other boats, anchor, and monitor times for divers in and out when there are numerous divers, less then perfect conditions, larger vessels, and or heavy boat traffic. The DM does the site breifing, monitors times for divers in and out, watches for troubled divers, medical support if someone is injured, assists divers in and out of the water. Now depending on your location, conditions, number of divers. This may easily be handled by a single person topside.

It’s sounds by the conditions you describe. 2 were needed up top. Did you pay for a guided dive? Did you actually read the waiver you signed? There is a difference in the waivers. One for guided dive, one for general liability, one for instructional dives, one for non-diver but passenger on the vessel etc. etc. I see people all the time that don’t read the waiver, have no idea what they r signing and initialing, and don’t completely fill out the waiver or do it incorrectly. I’m a stickler for it, as my real job I carry a lot more responsibility and people signing release of liability correctly and understanding what they are signing is a big big deal.

 

[diversteve]

I learned to dive in SoCal - I never saw a DM get wet there exept once off a boat one stood on the swimstep and helped divers re-board.

I never saw a DM get wet until a few years later in Maui where it's a common practice.

In SC their job appeared to be tie off the line on the wreck then surface and report back on the conditions at depth.

Cayman requires one per group and on the Kittiwake. Doesn't mean you have to stay with the group - buddy and I didn't always, The DM did ask where we planned to be in case of an emergency recall situation.

I'm pretty sure the only time the DM on our last liveaboard got wet was the few dives he offered to lead. Mostly his job seemed to be to manage the dive deck during the day and help us in/out.

One of them offered to take a family out a couple times but we dove on our own all week except for the drift dives where they asked us to stay near him since they use the boat as the tender. I even solo'ed on my own and don't have a solo card.

Bonaire put a DM in the water but more as a guide to show us the good stuff.He often left the group early to prep to help us back on board.

All our BVI dives were DM led but that was due to wreck penetrations, long swim thru's or the fact that they were a valet operation. I never changed a tank that week either.

 

[BalekFekete]

Thanks for the thread - I didn't realize there could be a difference in how dives are run vis-a-vis the DM responsibliities. All our (very limited) dives to date have been off a cruise ship and was guided. Now good to know to pay attention for that first time we start going off on our own and booking independant dives with different operations.

 

[nuts4corals]

thanks everyone for clarifying that... I have always went diving overseas and this was my first dive here in the US... yes it was in the florida keys.

I admit skimming through the liabilty waiver that I was asked to sign... i will take a closer look as I dont recall seeing anything about unguided dive. I was taken back by that as there was ALWAYS a DM in the water where I have gone diving. As for someones comment about DMs not responsible for your safety in the water I know this first hand since I saved a DMs life on a dive at 96 feet when he took a half empty tank down and didnt bother to check his air...lol. could have cost both of our lives.

You live and learn... now I know not to expect a DM in the water her in the USA. as for no tip its still justified based on overall exp.

thanks again for the education about scuba in american waters... honestly I personally still think there should be a DM in the water.

 

[TMHeimer]

I've seen it both ways. Have taken charters in the US in SC, TX, MS and FL.Panhandle. In all cases the divers were in buddy pairs (well, most cases, I did go solo a time or two). The only time a DM would buddy with someone was when they were very new or requested (and paid for, I assume) it. So you were on your own with your non-DM buddy.

 

[Lorenzoid]

In my experience, in-water DMs are common on the East coast of FL,, but not in the Keys.

Right, in my experience the east coast dives are often drift dives, so the DM accompanies the group as they drift along, towing the dive flag. In the Keys, no such need.

 

[nuts4corals]

mnnnn i am no so sure I agree that there was no need for a dm in the water with 6 foot waves... it was pretty rough and people were obviousely nervouse. I ended up leading the group and finding our way vack to the boat.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

... i am no so sure I agree that there was no need for a dm in the water with 6 foot waves...

Really? 6 foot waves? May have appeared that way but I am pretty sure you would not get in the water with 6 foot waves...
But that might just be me...

 

[Ana]

Ok so I am in Florida and most of the diving here is 15-30 feet with little current but big waves at the surface. in fact bigger than any other place i have been. Group of 4 including myself get un the water but divemaster stays behind. I felt comfortable to continue the dive but could see 2 of the group were beginers with one sea sick were looking a bit nervouse. is it customary that the divemaster stay behind on the boat? i had a hard time justifying tiping these guys. please advise.

"Tipping" is immensely subjective. From the personal definition of "service" all the way to the customs in your own location.

I have no use for DM's in general but have to admit, not even the world's greatest DM can stop a diver from getting seasick. As far as reassurance and some hand-holding to relive nerves ... I guess some could.

Is a good thing you felt comfortable to continue the dive, hopefully there was also enjoyment and not just a sense of let's just tolerate this and it'll be over soon. The tipping issue shouldn't be much of a concern by now, they probably got over it.

For the record, Florida has a great variety of diving. It is inaccurate to attempt to describe most of the diving in Florida using one type. Maybe one could go as far as saying most is in salt water, but there's tons of fresh water diving too.

I believe most of the charters in the East coast (Keys up to Sebastian or so) and Panhandle (Pensacola to Panama City Beach) don't have in water DM's unless is requested (and compensated separately)
For wreck dives, many times they send a diver to tie a down-line, this person may or may not be a DM, I've seen it be a regular customer that ties down, does his dive and then unties the line (hopefully after the last diver came up)

You may want to create a list of items that are important for you, that way when you book a charter, you know what to ask in advance. This minimizes surprises, doesn't eliminate them because there's always an operator that thinks of a way to re-invent the wheel.
After a while your list may change. You may end up accepting all the charter's routines; or deciding that charters are for the birds and buy your own boat.... or something in between.

 

[caruso]

As far as tipping, there are myriads of threads on the subject, but if the crew called you names and laghed at your gear, I wouldn't have tipped them either.

I didn't read anything about the crew laughing and name calling.