Dive knife/EMT shears Cozumel

[chace_nicole]

From what I have read, knifes are not allowed in the reef park (all the diving area) in Cozumel. Do you just take EMT shears? Or take the knife but only use incase of entanglement? Anyone know if this rule is enforced? Associated fines...just out of curiosity.

[fire diver]

Yes, the no knife rule IS enforced. at least with the boat I was on last year. Same with no gloves rule. I never heard anything about shears. However, this is a marine santuary. fishing is not allowed, and I never saw even a single strap of fishing line or anything else that could entangle you while diving.

FD

[berick]

Enforcement of knives probably depends on dive operator -- but they aren't supposed to be allowed. I was there over Labor day, and, it wasn't enforced on the boat I was on. I never carry a knife, but, there was an older gent with a mini Bowie knife strapped onto his calf -- not something a dive master could miss. EMT sheers are OK as I understand the rules and I always take them.

There isn't supposed to be fishing, but, I've seen more than one rusty hook in the marine sanctuary during a dive (Although I didn't see one on my last trip).

No idea on the fines if caught since it hasn't been of concern to me personally.

[PlayaCountryBoy]

As a diving operator here and a licensed Cozumel Park guide, I can tell you...no dive operations can or will allow knives into the park. Forget it...it not necessary.

[awap]

My understanding is that all cutting tools are prohibited including knives and shears in the marine park.

I have found fishing line in the marine park on a number of occasions. I view cutting tools as a basic safety item for all OW dives. I rarely carry the big obviouys knife strapped to the calf for which I have seen the prohibition enforced by DMs. (I will throw it on when diving solo in heavily fished areas as a 3rd cutting tool.) I always carry a small folding knife in a pouch that is not readily identifyable and a pair of EMT shears. I have never had any problems in about 20 trips.

Then DM who decides to enforce the prohibition on my gear sacrifices any tip. I underestand that it is not his prohibition. But the choice to enforce it is obviously his.

[Charlotte Smith]

Originally Posted by PlayaCountryBoy

As a diving operator here and a licensed Cozumel Park guide, I can tell you...no dive operations can or will allow knives into the park. Forget it...it not necessary.

Maybe we will run into you in December.....

[ScubaJ]

Seems like it's almost a random enforcement. I didn't even realize that was a rule, as I've never seen it enforced, and there is always one or two people in a group that have one. I personally have a small knife on my console and a pair of EMT shears in one of my pockets. Not something that is obvious, however the dive operator we go with checks our gear before the first dive, changes our tanks, and rinses off our gear when we get back, so I would imagine that they see people's knives.

[Chocoholic]

Have you noticed them enforcing the glove rule? My hands and feet are always freezing and I was just going to order some gloves for our trip to Belize (and eventually Coz).