How common are guided dives?

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

Don't know if he is still there, but there was one they called "Bear" and he was able to lift me out of the water when I couldn't lift myself up that one spot. And that took some doing.

And they took care of me individually when I was there.

I remember "Bear" . He was reported to have lifted two 125cc dirt bikes through a narrow spot on a trail south of Bonne Terre once. Biiiig guy! I can't say if he's still there or not. Another excuse to go back.

BTW BouzoukiJoe, that is an excellent picture. Yours?

[tarheeldiver]

Originally Posted by BouzoukiJoe

Sounds quite a bit different than NC. This from Olympus Diving

Olympus Dive Center - Boats

Upon arrival on site, one of the mates enters the water with the anchor and ties it directly into the wreck. S/He then runs a reel, connected at one end to the anchor line, along the wreck giving divers a large target by which to find the anchor. Directly under the boat at 15 feet are weighted, horizontal hang lines running the length of the vessel on both the port and starboard sides. Towards the bow, the parallel lines form a gradual slope down to the anchor line.

When divers enter the water, off either side of the vessel, they are able to use the line system to make their descent to the wreck. Upon completion of their dive, divers find the anchor, make a gradual ascent again using the line system, and use the hang lines for an easy 15-foot safety stop.

Yeah those 15 foot hang bars are great sometimes its like hanging on to bucking bronco especially in 5 to 6 ft seas

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

Originally Posted by tarheeldiver

Yeah those 15 foot hang bars are great sometimes its like hanging on to bucking bronco especially in 5 to 6 ft seas

I bought a Jon line to help with that.. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. Three blowouts in a row.

[tarheeldiver]

Originally Posted by BouzoukiJoe

I bought a Jon line to help with that.. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. Three blowouts in a row.

Yeah NC diving is so iffy I went once this summer got lucky first day second day was suppose to be to Fossil ledge but we got turned back and dove the Gill and the Hyde it was still good (i still want a tooth) but the boat ride was killer. Hope you have better luck next time Where you from in NC?

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

I'm in Cary. Fossil Ledge is on my list of things to do next year. I'd love to bring back a tooth for my kids to see.

[CamaroChick]

All of my dives so far have been guided. The DMs usually give you the option to go out on your own, but I like following them because they know where all the cool stuff is. In St. Vincent and the BVIs, the less-experienced folks were encourged to go with the DM, but in Turks & Caicos (Provo/West Caicos), we had to ask for a DM to guide us - that was a much lager group though (25+ divers on the boat).

[DarinMartell]

When I did my first salt water dive the shop required that I hire a DM to guide me. At $25 I would do it again in a heartbeat. If I am only going to be wet for less then an hour per dive, and I probably will never be at that same spot again, $12.50 a dive to have an expert guide you seems like a bargin.

[scubajane]

When we dove in Costa Rica we had a dive master with us always. we did not have to stay with him but he showed us seahorses and popcorn shrimp and cleaning stations and all the cool stuff.
in key largo and in west palm beach we had dive masters with us. when we were very new..dives 8 and 9 we dove at John Pennecamp in fla and we were charged $1oo per person for divemaster. maybe they saw us coming but he was very good the waves were 4-6 ft and I was very nervous, my 1st ocean dive. Considering all the circumstances I'd do that again. now with a few more dives under my weight belt. I probably would not pay that much for a DM

[Zenagirl]

In Hawaii all dive charters put DM's in the water with their groups. Some run it a little looser than others, so it's important to do your homework before booking.

[Navy OnStar]

Originally Posted by DarinMartell

When I did my first salt water dive the shop required that I hire a DM to guide me. At $25 I would do it again in a heartbeat. If I am only going to be wet for less then an hour per dive, and I probably will never be at that same spot again, $12.50 a dive to have an expert guide you seems like a bargin.

The shop I bought all my gear from required that the first time you dove from the boat you had to hire a DM. After that they were available but not required.