i agree the mixing buddy teams mid-dive is not the action i would take unless i am the one personally to mix and leave the group with another instrucotr/DM
unwanted buddies
- Thread starter danno
- Start date
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i agree the mixing buddy teams mid-dive is not the action i would take unless i am the one personally to mix and leave the group with another instrucotr/DM taking over as part of the dive briefing early on
Scuba
Contributor
danno:
You may want to clarify, but it appears to me you are group diving. This can be done with or without assigned buddies, all moving as a group. The issue here is that the DM's are relying on you as an assistant which cut short some of your dives. Try to find a mutually agreeable resolution. Discounts, free dives, discontinue assistance pratice, etc. Otherwise, I would personally accept conditions, dive with someone else - or solo, but I would not refuse assisting another diver under water if the only inconvenience is a dive cut short.
Group diving is less discussed than solo but more often practiced. It really is odd in that often no one is actually teamed and divers just wander around in a gaggle loosely in more or less the same direction. I have enjoyed this type of diving with experianced divers but with beginners it is a recipe for trouble. Not solo, not buddy so what is it? As often practiced at resorts, in these gaggles a dive master or instructor is the usual boss. Problem is I don't like being bossed when I am paying lot's of money to dive in places I never may get back to. Each minute of bottom time is very expensive. N
OP
danno
Registered
To hit on a couple posts earlier:
Before we leave the boat there are asigned buddies. There is often a group as smaller wrecks have nothing else to see but the wreck and divers run into each other making their way round the site.
This is a tourist town and the divers here are in for a week or two and want to do a few days of diving and most of the time, no one knows anyone else. Buddies are asigned after a quick chat with the DM as to how many dives you have, how do you do on air, how long have you been out of the water etc.
Anyway, does anyone else out there have this problem or is just me?
Before we leave the boat there are asigned buddies. There is often a group as smaller wrecks have nothing else to see but the wreck and divers run into each other making their way round the site.
This is a tourist town and the divers here are in for a week or two and want to do a few days of diving and most of the time, no one knows anyone else. Buddies are asigned after a quick chat with the DM as to how many dives you have, how do you do on air, how long have you been out of the water etc.
Anyway, does anyone else out there have this problem or is just me?
R
redacted
Guest
danno:
I've had a DM/guide ask me to lead the group while he took a diver to the surface to correct an equipment problem. He rejoined us after about 10 minutes. I felt somewhat honored.
Charlie99
Contributor
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It happens to me. I just don't usually consider it a problem.danno:
djbobbyzee
Registered
danno:
I hear ya danno....
I'm a 1st Mate of a local dive charter. Tourists are good business, but in many cases a danger to themselves & all who come in contact with them.
I've seen all kinds... especially fun are the ones who appear to have gotten their cert from a crackerjack box. Even more entertaining are those who buy thousands of dollars in gear, and flop around like an injured fish in the water. (shaking my head)
Our pre-dive rules for our guests (stated first by the captain & then reiterated by myself):
1. When you hit the water you are responsible for yourself & governing your own safety.
2. When your buddy hits the water, you are responsible for rule 1 AND your buddy.
3. I being your DM, am responsible for my own safety first and then yours. If you follow rules 1 & 2 my job will be easy. I will gladly show you around the wreck & assist as needed.
4. You will begin your return to the boat as a buddy team when the first buddy reaches 1000 lbs. (750 on shallower dives).
5. If any diver returns to the boat below 450 lbs they & their buddy will only dive for 40 minutes or forfiet the 2nd dive without refund. (It creates a bit of 'positive' peer pressure to follow the rules).
6. Any solo divers are soley responsible for their own safety. If you choose to solo dive, we honor your choice; but please understand the risk you are choosing.
7. All solo divers are required to return to the anchor line within 50 minutes. If you are asked to assist and you comply, your dive is free. If you do not, we honor your choice. Simply sign "no."
8. The ride out today is free. We are only charging for the return trip.
Danno, feel free to c&p this guide & pass it on to your local DM. Ask his thoughts. I'm sure he's never considered your impression as a regular customer. It's very easy to get wrapped up in the feeding frenzy of the whining underskilled tourists...and take forgranted your experienced regs.
-Bobby
Timeliner
Contributor
danno:
Getting back to the original post here...
You sound like you "actually care" if the people your with die or not. So your a good guy ! If your diving with other people though you are not diving solo.
Anything closer then ~ "Same Lake-Same Day" ~ is not solo diving. So, you just have to be a buddy if the need comes up. I'd jack the dive master up too if he/she did that to me more then once though.
fishnchips
Contributor
If the dive shop DM/guide is my friend and I don't mind help him babysitting, then it is OK.
But if I am a regular paying cuatomer that don't get any discount, then I want to enjoy the dive and not working. If I am asked to baby sit their customer while underwater, I will hand them a bill for $250 per diver. If you were asked to lead 4 divers, that's $1000. And I expect to get paid.
I was once introduced to the group that I am also an instructor and they can come to me for assistance. Before he finished the intro, I cut him short by saying I am a paid customer and not working for the dive shop and WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for anything and DO NOT approach me, unless they want to hire me as private guide for $250 per dive, cash paid in advance.
When on vacation, I usually use my advanced card or a specialty card and never let the dive shops know I am an instructor, unless they offer instructor discount. Even then, I will mention in advance I am only paid customer and do not expect to baby sit any client. And my rate is $250 per diver per diver.
But if I am a regular paying cuatomer that don't get any discount, then I want to enjoy the dive and not working. If I am asked to baby sit their customer while underwater, I will hand them a bill for $250 per diver. If you were asked to lead 4 divers, that's $1000. And I expect to get paid.
I was once introduced to the group that I am also an instructor and they can come to me for assistance. Before he finished the intro, I cut him short by saying I am a paid customer and not working for the dive shop and WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for anything and DO NOT approach me, unless they want to hire me as private guide for $250 per dive, cash paid in advance.
When on vacation, I usually use my advanced card or a specialty card and never let the dive shops know I am an instructor, unless they offer instructor discount. Even then, I will mention in advance I am only paid customer and do not expect to baby sit any client. And my rate is $250 per diver per diver.
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