Poor diving techniques I noticed during this week's trip.

[Yellowdog]

Some may not like my advice. It is to keep out of it unless something directly affects your own safety. The reefs?--just imagine how many jerks are messing with them in the Caribbean or worldwide. Getting into an argument with divers or instructors won't do anything to help the overall picture, just get yourself in a mess. It's like asking someone not to smoke near a outside near a door while looking at 300 butts on the ground.
A better approach to help the reefs may be to join an organisation fighting agricultural runoff, mangrove destruction to build hotels/condos, global warming, etc.
Although you don't read much about poor diving technique, kneeling, etc. in Florida, there have been countless threads about incredibly poor "vacation" divers in the tropics. To effect change in helping those reefs, it would seem that whole mentality would have to change. Doubt it will.

I learned a good lesson about DON"T TOUCH THE REEF on one of my first open water dives. I was in Cozumel, just certified with my daughter and on our second dive+-. There were 7 diver's in our group including the dive master. Another group had descended near us and we let them get ahead. I was just taking in the wonder of the whole new picture and keeping an eye on my Nemo daughter when our normally low key dive master shot forward and grabbed a guy in the group in front and dragged him off the reef. When we finished the dive and were able to talk on the boat he said he had signed the other groups DM several times that his diver was holding, finning, breaking coral and finally lost his cool. I probably would have had a heart attack if someone had grabbed me like that but it was a great early lesson and have always tried to be a conscientious diver since.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I’ve had my share of experiences with bad divers. Here’s one of them from my last trip...i couldn’t believe my eyes when I was kicking against the current so i snapped a picture on my camera. The worst part is he had a giant camera rig and was all over the reef. Don’t get me wrong, I have a camera as well, but my rule is not to touch anything and if I can’t get the shot, then I don’t get the shot. If I can’t manage in current with it, don’t bring it. This guy was laying on the reef and HOLDING onto barrel sponges in current to maintain position, among other things.

 

[Diver below 83]

Where did you guys leave from in ftl?

 

[MargaritaMike]

First, I am glad no one has told me about my bad technique, although one person did say my feet were straight up on a dive.

I have seen a very experienced (or so I thought) diver who was lion fish hunting hold on to coral, sponges, and whatever was available to get "the shot". I didn't say anything for diplomatic reasons, but REALLY wanted to.

Cheers -

 

[The Chairman]

3 particular examples stuck out, to the point that I decided to have a word with each diver in 2 of the examples, even if I was going to get into an uncomfortable/awkward, and potentially antagonistic situation.

I'm so glad I grew past this. Unless someone's safety has been seriously compromised, I only give advice/input when asked. Mind you, I always set a good example and sometimes show off by swimming backwards in front of bad divers. I am often asked how I stay so still, even by instructors. Be the diver others want to emulate.

 

[scubadada]

I'm with Pete. I don't say anything unless the transgression is really egregious. Damaging the reef exceeds my threshold.

 

[The Chairman]

Damaging the reef exceeds my threshold.

I've actually gently lifted their feet above the reef when they do this. When they look, I make the "silt" sign. They'll often be apologetic after the dive.

 

[TMHeimer]

First, I am glad no one has told me about my bad technique, although one person did say my feet were straight up on a dive.

I have seen a very experienced (or so I thought) diver who was lion fish hunting hold on to coral, sponges, and whatever was available to get "the shot". I didn't say anything for diplomatic reasons, but REALLY wanted to.

Cheers -

Very interesting. Someone doing his/her part to help protect the environment from the invasive species while destroying the environment. That's a new one. Or maybe the diver was just catching a meal and didn't care about it being invasive?

 

[MargaritaMike]

I've actually gently lifted their feet above the reef when they do this. When they look, I make the "silt" sign. They'll often be apologetic after the dive.

What is the silt sign?

 

[The Chairman]

What is the silt sign?

Rub the first two fingers and thumb together.
(If you do the same thing with fingers pointed up, it means you have a leak)​