Don't help?

[BRT]

I very much appreciate people mentioning that I don't have my fins or mask or weights just before I backflip off the boat. I also appreciate them asking me if I have checked if my air is on. I don't want them setting up my gear and try to politely make that known. I don't want them touching my valve.

 

[Scared Silly]

First thing I do when I get to a dive site is pee on my gear. It marks my spot and at that point no one comes near. Solves lots of problems ... of course live-a-board staff do tend to steer clear too.

 

[caruso]

-Mask was handed up, and then they set my tank on it.

Don't hand your mask up while you're in the water. Things can happen and you might need it. It's easy enough to drop it around your neck or put it on your forehead after you climb the ladder and that way it doesn't get misplaced or damaged.

Hose was dropping my tank upside-down and a rock shearing off the hose. Second time was dropping it against a wall, blew the fitting

I have no clue what you're talking about here.

-Fin strap was pulling it tight towards my toe instead of away, snapping my buckle.

Adjust your own fins.

 

[Rooster59]

If you talk to an imaginary friend while you set up your gear, no one will bug you with offers of help.

 

[BRT]

If you talk to an imaginary friend while you set up your gear, no one will bug you with offers of help.

Or just argue with yourself about correct setup?

 

[Matt England]

Deleted.

 

[TMHeimer]

Some mentioned not needing help & self sufficiency. I fit that mold, though I do appreciate boat crew's assistance on a moving boat.
I dive solo like 95% of the time and have my routines. When I was assisting with OW courses I always brought my own van and geared up on the trunk, somewhat away from the class. Reason being--Though I've done it more the 700 times, I don't like conversing with someone while gearing up. I actually may forget one little step. I get side tracked talking about some dive story with a buddy. After I'm geared up I can talk a blue streak.
I always throw this one in when I can--- I was buddying years ago with a father/daughter team I met at the site in FL. The daughter couldn't figure out why the reg didn't work. She had it on BACKWARDS--that is, the 1st stage wasn't seated in the tank valve, it was on the back of the tank valve. Amazingly, an instructor said he had seen THAT before.

 

[northernone]

I have no clue what you're talking about here.

Edited for clarity, thanks. Looks like I left some key words out.

About that talking to myself, it's gotten me out of some dangerous situations.

@Akimbo the wet glove donning tip would help many. I've not stumbled across a graceful method yet myself.

 

[Bob DBF]

I try to be very specific on what help I need, when helping I'm more careful than I am for myself.


Bob

 

[TMHeimer]

That "talking to yourself" while gearing up may be a good point. My wife says I do it a lot anyway.