So, just completed first boat dive. My dive buddy backed out at last minute so I was solo. I did an instabuddy on the way to the boat. When we were on the boat, a guy asked if he could tag along with us since his wife was snorkeling, so there was actually 3 of us.
On boat, they did roll call and my name was not on the roll (probably due to rebooking with my buddy cancelling). They asked if they missed anyone and I told them I was missed and they appeared to add me to the list.
The first dive was great. The sea was pretty choppy and as we were going to second spot, I got sick (overboard fortunately). I told my 2 new instabuddies to go without me and I would sit out. After puking, I actually started feeling better. Everyone had already gone in so I asked the DM if I could go in solo if I stayed near the boat. He said sure. We had a designated time to be back and I was back onboard early. We then had an emergency and they had to go pick up 4 divers (still not sure what the issue was). So, they signal for everyone to get in boat. Before moving, they do a roll call and miss me again. I told them again. We move, pick up the 4 distressed divers and they do another roll call. Again, they missed me.
So, basically, I was solo diving and had I not been on the boat I could have been a stranded diver; visions of the movie "Open Water" danced through my head. I was diving with Lost Reef Adventures in Key West. The lady who did the roll call the last 2 times was new. But, I am wondering if this was a training issue or something.
But, I am a new diver. I may be over reacting. Since this was my first boat dive, was this a big deal? Does this happen a lot? Or, was this atypical? I am thinking about calling the shop and talking to the owner but, again, this was a new lady. I don't want her to get in trouble but yet this could have been very, very bad. What is your advice from a seasoned diver? Would you take to the shop owner?
On boat, they did roll call and my name was not on the roll (probably due to rebooking with my buddy cancelling). They asked if they missed anyone and I told them I was missed and they appeared to add me to the list.
The first dive was great. The sea was pretty choppy and as we were going to second spot, I got sick (overboard fortunately). I told my 2 new instabuddies to go without me and I would sit out. After puking, I actually started feeling better. Everyone had already gone in so I asked the DM if I could go in solo if I stayed near the boat. He said sure. We had a designated time to be back and I was back onboard early. We then had an emergency and they had to go pick up 4 divers (still not sure what the issue was). So, they signal for everyone to get in boat. Before moving, they do a roll call and miss me again. I told them again. We move, pick up the 4 distressed divers and they do another roll call. Again, they missed me.
So, basically, I was solo diving and had I not been on the boat I could have been a stranded diver; visions of the movie "Open Water" danced through my head. I was diving with Lost Reef Adventures in Key West. The lady who did the roll call the last 2 times was new. But, I am wondering if this was a training issue or something.
But, I am a new diver. I may be over reacting. Since this was my first boat dive, was this a big deal? Does this happen a lot? Or, was this atypical? I am thinking about calling the shop and talking to the owner but, again, this was a new lady. I don't want her to get in trouble but yet this could have been very, very bad. What is your advice from a seasoned diver? Would you take to the shop owner?