Typical service at dive center

Question

Hi,

I'm pretty new diver and would like to know more about typical diving routines at a dive center.

Where I took the license, people buddied up, did enjoy dive on their own and everybody came back after defined time.

On other places I've been diving, it has been a dive guide leading a group of 2-8 persons.

As a fairly new diver, I prefer option two. Additionally, they know the dive spot very well and know where to go to see the stuff of interest.

I quoted recently a center and they said I have to pay extra to have a guide diving with us (me and my buddy).

I'd like to hear from you senior divers how the dives are usually arranged so I know what I can expect and what I need to pay extra for!

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

as mentioned, it all depends on where you go.  It seems that in the states, they offer the lowest level of service. I usually dive in the caribbean where they are used to people who only dive a few times a year.  In those cases, they will send a dm down with the group.  In Cozumel, all the dives I have been on have been follow the leader.  In GC, you can eithor follow the DM or go on your own from a boat dive Or you can do a shore dive and pay for dm to go with you. In the keys, they pretty much just let you jump out of the boat and do as your please.   The bottom line is, there really isn't any set rule. Remember, most areas have multiple dive shops so you can shop around for the the place that meets your needs.

Answer 2

Quite a bit depends on the destination and type of dives and or divers on the boat. I've dived areas such as Cozumel, where it's a protected area drift dive and a Dive Master is assigned to the boat, does the dive as a group in buddy pairs and keeps tabs on the person expected to be the air hog as a means of establishing end of dive. This example was for a boat that had the lowest cert being advanced, the rest were  DM's and Instructors!!! That's just how things are run, so either go with the flow or don't do the dive. Nobody got bent out of shape because the operator insisted on a DM. It just makes sense to have one in an instance like that. Local knowledge always trumps a C card when it comes down to finding things.  The guy that dived the site most and last will always have better info than the occasional diver on that site. That informed diver is going to be the DM. Any extra cost will almost certainly be worth it. Some operators also regard their DM's as underwater cops. That dive site is the operator's bread and butter. Having a DM along can ensure that an unscrupulous diver doesn't damage, steal or kill the attraction of the site.

  These dive boats tend to have a mixed bag of skill sets aboard as well. The DM may very well let more advanced divers stray from the main group but never out of eyesight or they may insist that everyone sticks together. It's the DM's choice...they are the Boss. Warm water destinations tend to get the majority of new or "rarely dive" divers and the actual dive sites are fragile, so the operators usually figure in the added cost of a DM into the dive package they give you. It's easy to bring the price down if you don't require a DM for the dive, but it usually gets people perturbed if the price goes up if you need to add that DM to the mix as you've just discovered for yourself.

On the flip side, in Ontario where almost all of my dives take place, it's rare that a charter outfit provides a DM unless prearranged well in advance. It keeps costs down and most outfits scrutinize your C cards and logs prior to the dive ensuring that the wreck you're going to falls within the lowest diver's skill sets.  If they feel the need to add a DM for some reason you'll be paying for it if you want to dive. Occasionally the skipper will break up a buddy pair if they feel the need to add a diver with experience. I've had that happen once where my usual Bud and I were broken up to accompany two warm water advanced divers that lied their way onto the boat. The skipper spotted the hoods under the mask skirts and they were given a choice of not diving or going with a cold water cert. Some skippers would have forbade them going in period. They and the operators can be as flexible or rigid as they want.

Every operator has their own way of doing things and every skipper working for them does as well.Just as a good restaurant is different than the next so are dive operations. Call the operator well in advance of your planned date and ask what's on the menu. That's your cost. Nothing else will be hidden. If you've been upfront with them, they'll be upfront with you. If any special tags or permits are required for the dive site, they'll mention it during booking and how to acquire them. Most operators expect you to have all your own gear. If you need tanks, lead or what have you, mention that when booking so that it's there for you when you arrive at the dock or dive shop. If they know you're arriving by commercial air carrier, they'll know right off the bat you'll need tanks at the very least and these will most likely be included in your charter cost. Ask just to make sure. For other gear, like lead, they may or may not include that in their price since it's possible ( not smart but possible) that you'll have your own if arriving by air.  When you arrive, check in with the operator, sign your waivers and have your C card handy. Find your skipper and DM and ask them how they expect to run the dive and if there are any special quirks that they, or the boat design has that you need to work with. Even loading and unloading can differ from operator to operator. Some will handle your gear for you, others expect that since you know how to dive you should be capable of lugging your own gear. Same goes with tank swaps for multiple dives. You may be responsible for your own or they may insist doing it themselves.

Don't forget to tip your skipper and DM. That's where their "real" pay comes from. Treat this aspect like you would at a restaurant. Good service = good tip. Check local customs regarding amounts before you go. By way of example, here in Ontario, if the skipper has been outstanding, I'll tip 15% of my charter cost. I expect to give my skipper that  this coming weekend in Tobermory that tip.. Claus rocks, even with those yellow rubber clogs. Dutchman in charge of a dive?. If you dive Toby with Claus, enuf said. " Vat?"