BrandonTan
Registered
What started out as a leisure dive trip, became a memorable one, for the wrong reasons!
In summary, we went for a diving holiday in Phuket on 9 & 10 August 2014. I am an AOW while my friend is OW. Let's call us AOW & OW respectively for this purpose.
Missing 1 Day, Asking Refund
The insisted on pre-payment, which I oblige since they said they only accept prepayment even though all my other dive trips to Phuket were all paid on the spot and all my previous experiences were pleasant.
The holiday didn't start well, some miscommunication lead to missing out 1st day dive, which I asked for a refund (or partial as I'm part to blame). I had a change of hotel, which I failed to inform due to very busy work schedule, and my other bookings had sent me an email days before the trip, so it didn't occur to me I had not inform the dive operator.
On this issue, they had twisted words on the several correspondences on this matter.
In short summary, I called them at 7.55am on 9 Aug asking where is the transport (only to realised I didn't inform them change of hotel).
The office personnel said the transport went to the original hotel and has left.
I asked her to ask the the transport to make a detour, she said the transport has reached or near the pier, can't u-turn.
In my email to them, I mentioned my failure to inform of change in hotel. Their personnel claimed that the transport waited till 8am, hotel said I had check-out.
In another email from their manager, he claimed that the hotel said I have yet to check in.
The Dive Trip
On the 2nd day (10 Aug), as an AOW, I am detailed to dive with a group consisting of Instructor/guide, 2 Master diver trainee and another fellow diver (at least AOW) while my friend, OW, was detailed to dive with another dive guide (instructor level). OW was the only diver attached to this guide/instructor, thus it's a 1-to-1 basis.
For this dive trip. It was full moon, or maybe also with the weather, the current was quite strong.
AOW had 3 dives (first being ship wreak, King Cruiser), while OW had 2 dives planned. Let's calls it Dive 1, 2 & 3.
On Dive 2, there was not much briefing by the dive guide/instructor for OW. I told her guide/instructor, that she is inexperienced so need to monitor her closely. In addition, after OW's guide's very short briefing, I advise, OW two golden rules of diving, (1) Always remain calm, never panic, (2) Continue breathing. And told OW, if she feels nervous, hold onto her guide/instructor's BCD if necessary.
On Dive 3, again there was little briefing by her guide/instructor.
My (AOW) dive guide, on the other hand, gave my team good briefing, firstly telling us that the Master Diver trainee will guide the dive while he supervise, and will take over when he felt necessary. He warned our team that the current (Koh Doc Mai) is expected to be strong, and if that happens, what should we do.
OW was only told briefly about the dive, there wasn't much mentioned. I was with her all the while. During the dive, my team descend first. When we were diving at the bottom, after awhile, we spotted OW being ALONE at the bottom. Her dive guide/instructor was not with her. After accessing the surrounding, my guide signalled to OW, to follow our team, pair up with him. I was puzzled why she was alone.
When we surfaced, at the surface, OW told me, her guide/instructor descend independently (faster) and OW was much slower in her descend, as she only has about 10 dives till date (inexperienced). Not all a new and inexperienced diver is able to have good buoyancy and able to descend at the same speed as an experienced diver.
Lost Diver Search?
The dive guide/instructor was on the dive boat when we surfaced. He was already dekitted (only in his thighs). Is this how a dive guide/instructor should behave when his ONE AND ONLY diver is missing? By taking assumption that his diver should be fine??
As a dive guide/instructor, it is his duty to ensure all his divers are alright, are together. Why didn't he ensure that OW is always by his side? OW is the 1 and only diver he was guiding. What is a buddy system for?
This guide's name is Laurent. In my context, he is IRRESPONSIBLE and FAILED in his duties. It's unacceptable negligence!
Such irresponsibility should not be tolerated. In my following email correspondence with dive operator's manager, Ray Sanchez, he had been twisting words constantly.
This matter has been reported to PADI!
Conclusion
Of my 5 dive trips to Phuket (2 LOB to Similans), this is definitely one memorable one.
Although they offered us 2 days of free dive should I want to go back to them, do you think I dare throw my life into such hands? I only have 1 life!
My last words to everyone reading and planning a trip to Phuket. It's your safety, it's your life. Choose to discount my ill experience or choose your own safety by opting for any of the MANY dive operators there. It's just not worth having another diver experience what we did. Nobody will know, if the next incident can turn nasty. At Own Risk!
In summary, we went for a diving holiday in Phuket on 9 & 10 August 2014. I am an AOW while my friend is OW. Let's call us AOW & OW respectively for this purpose.
Missing 1 Day, Asking Refund
The insisted on pre-payment, which I oblige since they said they only accept prepayment even though all my other dive trips to Phuket were all paid on the spot and all my previous experiences were pleasant.
The holiday didn't start well, some miscommunication lead to missing out 1st day dive, which I asked for a refund (or partial as I'm part to blame). I had a change of hotel, which I failed to inform due to very busy work schedule, and my other bookings had sent me an email days before the trip, so it didn't occur to me I had not inform the dive operator.
On this issue, they had twisted words on the several correspondences on this matter.
In short summary, I called them at 7.55am on 9 Aug asking where is the transport (only to realised I didn't inform them change of hotel).
The office personnel said the transport went to the original hotel and has left.
I asked her to ask the the transport to make a detour, she said the transport has reached or near the pier, can't u-turn.
In my email to them, I mentioned my failure to inform of change in hotel. Their personnel claimed that the transport waited till 8am, hotel said I had check-out.
In another email from their manager, he claimed that the hotel said I have yet to check in.
The Dive Trip
On the 2nd day (10 Aug), as an AOW, I am detailed to dive with a group consisting of Instructor/guide, 2 Master diver trainee and another fellow diver (at least AOW) while my friend, OW, was detailed to dive with another dive guide (instructor level). OW was the only diver attached to this guide/instructor, thus it's a 1-to-1 basis.
For this dive trip. It was full moon, or maybe also with the weather, the current was quite strong.
AOW had 3 dives (first being ship wreak, King Cruiser), while OW had 2 dives planned. Let's calls it Dive 1, 2 & 3.
On Dive 2, there was not much briefing by the dive guide/instructor for OW. I told her guide/instructor, that she is inexperienced so need to monitor her closely. In addition, after OW's guide's very short briefing, I advise, OW two golden rules of diving, (1) Always remain calm, never panic, (2) Continue breathing. And told OW, if she feels nervous, hold onto her guide/instructor's BCD if necessary.
On Dive 3, again there was little briefing by her guide/instructor.
My (AOW) dive guide, on the other hand, gave my team good briefing, firstly telling us that the Master Diver trainee will guide the dive while he supervise, and will take over when he felt necessary. He warned our team that the current (Koh Doc Mai) is expected to be strong, and if that happens, what should we do.
OW was only told briefly about the dive, there wasn't much mentioned. I was with her all the while. During the dive, my team descend first. When we were diving at the bottom, after awhile, we spotted OW being ALONE at the bottom. Her dive guide/instructor was not with her. After accessing the surrounding, my guide signalled to OW, to follow our team, pair up with him. I was puzzled why she was alone.
When we surfaced, at the surface, OW told me, her guide/instructor descend independently (faster) and OW was much slower in her descend, as she only has about 10 dives till date (inexperienced). Not all a new and inexperienced diver is able to have good buoyancy and able to descend at the same speed as an experienced diver.
Lost Diver Search?
The dive guide/instructor was on the dive boat when we surfaced. He was already dekitted (only in his thighs). Is this how a dive guide/instructor should behave when his ONE AND ONLY diver is missing? By taking assumption that his diver should be fine??
As a dive guide/instructor, it is his duty to ensure all his divers are alright, are together. Why didn't he ensure that OW is always by his side? OW is the 1 and only diver he was guiding. What is a buddy system for?
This guide's name is Laurent. In my context, he is IRRESPONSIBLE and FAILED in his duties. It's unacceptable negligence!
Such irresponsibility should not be tolerated. In my following email correspondence with dive operator's manager, Ray Sanchez, he had been twisting words constantly.
This matter has been reported to PADI!
Conclusion
Of my 5 dive trips to Phuket (2 LOB to Similans), this is definitely one memorable one.
Although they offered us 2 days of free dive should I want to go back to them, do you think I dare throw my life into such hands? I only have 1 life!
My last words to everyone reading and planning a trip to Phuket. It's your safety, it's your life. Choose to discount my ill experience or choose your own safety by opting for any of the MANY dive operators there. It's just not worth having another diver experience what we did. Nobody will know, if the next incident can turn nasty. At Own Risk!