I think a major no no is to assume you’re a great diver! You should always be learning and open to criticism, it makes for better dives in the long run.
Agreed, some of the very worst divers I have had as customers to guide are Advanced divers. They hear that word "advanced" and think that it actually means "experienced" ... very dangerous, when all it actually means is they have done a minimum of 6 /8 dives. I'd rather have an Open Water customer that listens, than an Advanced diver that thinks they know more than they do.
Big no-no for me is don’t get into the habit of putting someone’s kit together for them (girlfriend, boyfriend, friend etc). As the more experienced diver your gut is to do it all for them, but actually they end up expecting this and almost forget how to do it themselves... Also, if I see you diving around with any #flappysnaghazards I will instantly judge you, so streamline yourself. Please.
I was taught that you both do your own thing, then check each other over. Best of both worlds. And if she’s screwing up somethin’ then you’ll know and can work on it.
BlackNo1 yep that’s what all major institutes teach - self sufficiency etc. However when you’ve got >1000 dives and your buddy is someone you care about immensely but has
There’s nothing worse than helping a dive buddy by reminding him at least 3x, and two days before a dive of something he needs to remember like extra lead or weight, and he comes up to you the day of the dive asking if I have any weight I can share! Arggggggggh!
I suggest not staying in touch with the dive group and your buddy is a no no. Often goes with 'big ego'. From my experience a guy who talks about how big his boat is and how many dives he's done is a guy you want to avoid being buddied with in a mixed group ..
Never mind sticky fingers underwater, sticky fingers on the boat. Just because I’m not sitting by my kit doesn’t mean you can take whatever you want, because you “found it” laying there! 😡
biggest one I've not seen mentioned. don't be a group of californians in their mid twenties, on a fairly small boat with a bluetooth speaker that insists on loudly wailing along to it before, after and inbetween every dive. surely it can't always be bad to turn some ones air off
Hey Vernon, Excellent question. No, you don't need to own all of your own gear for an intro course, the equipment is usually supplied by the dive centre for you, just double check if there are rental costs. It's rare, but some dive centres are sneaky... If you have your own gear then bring it, but it's not necessary to own all of your own gear when you're starting out.
I used to help my buddy set up kit until I was asked to stop, now I just help her doff it. Thankfully, haven't had too many people touch my kit without asking but that's a definite no/hell no.
Okay, so explain to me why 'fins' is correct and 'flippers' earns such disdain. The appendages that propel mammals through the water are called 'flippers' (or 'flukes' I guess) and fish swim with fins. Just curious. FYI - certified in 1978. Many, many dives in most Great Lakes of Canada (and lots of small ones and rivers); Caribbean; Mexico; Florida; Hawai'i; West coast (BC and California). Agree with the 'oxygen tank' and 'goggles though' - unless you are actually carrying O2. I do refer to my 'flippers' as 'fins', except if it clearly upsets someone when I don't. I have been enjoying your videos. Informative and amusing. Thanks
Inflate first. Listen for leakages. Deflate with each deflator pull-string you have, then inflate again, and deflate by pulling the BCD hose. Then inspect the flat rubber seals that cover each deflation point (deflator string points hose deflation points). These rubber seals are easily visible under the plastic cover of each inflation point. Should be no salt crystals on any of the seals. Visually inspect entire bcd for grazes and perforations. Check that all straps are not starting to pull loose, and remain secured. Rinse bcd internally with fresh water. and no detergent, as some household detergents and antiseptics can degrade the internal bladder.
I would say oxygen tank, but I would be refering to a 100% oxygen tank that's either part of my rebreather, or as a stage bottle for accelerated decompression.
Some of the charters we've been on advertise that they'll switch over your tanks for you. Ack! How can anyone feel comfortable diving with gear that's been setup by someone else? Sure you might detect some errors during your buddy check (always do a buddy check), but what about checking how tight your tank strap is...one of the most common accidents. PS: It took me two years to get my spouse to stop saying "goggles!"
Michael Atherton Most of the dive resorts I've visited in Asia do that. and it does lead to laziness and mistakes. Especially since many people skip buddy checks. Always double check your gear I guess. Thankfully I dive sidemount (did I tell you I dive sidemount 😉) so I get to set up my own gear since nobody know what to do with it. 🤣
Places I've been to, get you to check your set up after they set it up. Once before it's loaded on the boat, and if you detect an errors then you tell the DMs and they make a note how to do it next time. And then they get you to check again after a tank swap. I always utilise the "valet" service if it's available and I always get to check my gear afterwards. Worst I've had was someone loosened by BCD strap wayyy too much.
It's pretty common in SEA. As a diver it's your responsibility to double check everything. Trust is good, control is better. I check every strap and valve. I have back issues, I don't need to make them worse by dragging around heavy tanks.
Idiot: Ahahahh im gunna do a prank, i gunna turn off my friends O2 so he doesnt realise The friend : blblblblbl (inside water) whot tha fook i cant breatheeeee AAAAAAAA idiot : oh cmon man in just joking The friend : dies trying to breathe Me: wow, what a fun activity to do you with your friends