How common are guided dives?

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

Reading a lot of posts here and I continually see comments that say the DM this and the DM that which gives me the impression that the dives are guided by a dive master.

Not that I've done a lot of diving, but I have never been on a guided dive. Other than shore or quarry diving it's always been this formula: boat takes you to site, you have a dive briefing, the mates help any way you need on the boat and then you and your buddy execute your dive plan on your own.

Just how common are guided dives? Is it a regional thing? Just a resort thing? What are guided dives like?

I've never been to a dive resort but I am condering it. In a new area I might like a guide but I definitely don't want a baby sitter.

[Mycroft]

On drift dives in Florida, many dive boats will put a DM in the water. It really depends on the operation. First time I dove in CA, I was surprised tat they did NOT put a DM in the water with us.

[divingchef]

Hey Joe, down here most of the good dive sites are federal marine reserves, it is actually illegal to dive without a guide and you have to buy a permit to be in the part. Apparently the fines are pretty big. Haven´t had problems with diving, but I was catching makerel for offshore fishing in a spot I didn´t realize was protected and the navy didn´t really think it was too funny.

You have the briefing, a plan description, then the DM/intr. kind does his thing and you "sort-of" go in the same direction... Its not overbearing and you still have your freedom more or less to do you own thing. They exist more for the protection of the UW environment, then to provide safety. Its actually illegal to carry a knife or wear gloves in Cabo Pulmo.

[MSilvia]

I think it's a regional thing... they're not very common north of Florida on the east coast of North America, but they're everywhere in resort areas. In my experience, DMs are more common in areas with lots of inexperienced divers.

[in_cavediver]

I don't know. For a while, all of my dives were with a DM. Of course, I was a DM too and we were just out diving. Same thing with my wife, all with either an instructor or DM (since most all of our friends/buddies are DM/instructors).

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

Originally Posted by divingchef

Its actually illegal to carry a knife or wear gloves in Cabo Pulmo.

Wow. I wouldn't feel like a man without gloves and a knife.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by BouzoukiJoe

Wow. I wouldn't feel like a man without gloves and a knife.

No knife wouldn't bother me, but if you are going up & down a line, the no glove thing doesn't appeal to me.

[dallasdivergirl]

It depends on the location. At home, no DM at the quarry.

In Belize, boat diving with DM and the same with Roatan.

Bonaire was all shore diving with the exception of two boat dives & I never saw the DM when I did those. I like going at my own speed.

[gibson1525]

i've been all over the caribbean and it's pretty much the norm to have a DM. some places it is illegal to dive without a local DM (like dominica). some places, and all liveaboards i've been on, put a DM in the water and then you can choose do dive with them or on your own. unless there is an abnormally large group i usually go with the DM b/c they know what to look for and where to find it.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by in_cavediver

I don't know. For a while, all of my dives were with a DM. Of course, I was a DM too and we were just out diving. Same thing with my wife, all with either an instructor or DM (since most all of our friends/buddies are DM/instructors).

Sounds like an exciting group of divers to hang out with.