- Make sure that you arrive at the assigned meeting place before the specified departing time. If the departing time is 5 o'clock, we will be leaving at exactly 5 o'clock whether you're there or not. Also, if you're planning to meet at the dock, let someone know so that we're not waiting for you at the departure point.
- If you travel through a marina to reach the dive boat, obey any speed restrictions that may be posted. Violations are usually directed back to the dive boat operators, not the persons doing the infractions. As a courtesy to the captain, respect marina rules.
- Arrive with your gear in a dive bag and keep it in the bag any time you are not wearing it.
- Label each piece of gear with identifying tape or your initials.
- Only bring what you need and a reasonable backup, such as an extra mask. Leave the rest at home.
- When you reach the dock, load your gear onto the boat. Weightbelts are put in a pile near the stern, tanks are secured with bungee cords and dive bags are placed or piled neatly inside the boat.
- Be aware that there are other people around you. When a large number of divers are present, the boat can become very crowded. Try not to be in the way.
- Set up your BC, regulator and tank while the boat is still at the dock. It's easier to work on a stable platform.
- Note your tank pressure and the amount of weight you'll be wearing and be ready to give them to the divemaster to record on the dive log when he asks for them.
- On the first trip out, you will be asked to fill out a liability waiver form. This is for protection of the boat operators.
- The dive site is always determined just prior to the boat leaving the dock, since weather and water conditions must be considered in selecting the site.
- Make sure that you're at the dock prior to the specified departure time. If the boat is to leave at 6 p.m., it will leave the dock at exactly 6 p.m.
- Action pack your dive bag.
- Put the things you use first near the top; the last items you need on the bottom. Think about the order in which you get suited up and assemble your BC/tank/regulator.
- On the way out to the site, the divemaster will hold a pre-dive meeting at the back of the boat. During this meeting the divemaster will:
- Assign dive buddies.
- Specify the diving order. (The divers will be divided into two groups at this point)
- Describe the dive site.
- Once you know who your dive buddy is, the two of you should discuss a dive plan and consider such items as:
- Objective of the dive. (Do you want to do a familiarization tour of the wreck or concentrate on a specific area.)
- In the event that you become separated, meet back at a specific point such as the ascent/descent line, or another well-known feature of the wreck. (Be specific and assign only one meeting place.)
- Air pressures at which to head back to the ascent line.
- Familiarize yourself with the location of each buddy's octopus regulator. (All are located on the right side, but some may be tucked in a BC pocket, or secured in a special manner.)
- As the boat nears the dive site, the divemaster will advise the first group of divers when to start getting dressed in their wetsuits.
- When the boat reaches the dive site, remain out of the way until the dive ladder has been installed, trail line and bow to stern lines have been secured.
- Once the boat is anchored and secured, the first buddy team will completely gear up.
- Put on your BC, tank and regulator while seated.
- Put on your mask and fins only when you're ready to enter the water. Don't walk around on the boat wearing fins.
- If you feel unstable moving about the deck, hold onto the rails, cabin or your buddy, but plan ahead to avoid falling on or crashing into other divers.
- When you're ready to go in, move to the dive platform and wait for the divemaster to do a final gear check.
- When you've been given the okay by the divemaster, step onto the dive platform, look to make sure that the area is clear to avoid landing on top of a diver barely below the surface, and enter using a giant stride entry.
- Upon surfacing, give the OK signal to the divemaster and quickly move away from the entry zone and toward the descent line using the rope running from the stern to the bow of the dive boat. Avoid skimming just below the surface.
- Once the first two divers are in the water, the second two completely gear up and the process continues until the entire first group have entered.
- At this time the second group of divers may start getting on their wetsuits.
- When your buddy has joined you at the descent line, relax, and when you are both ready start your descent, your time in will be recorded.
- Proceed to dive your plan as previously discussed and agreed upon.
- After you have completed the dive and safety stop, give the OK signal to the divemaster immediately upon surfacing. Your time out will be recorded by the divemaster.
- Proceed to the stern of the boat and hang on to the trail line until it's your turn to exit the water.
- Re-boarding the boat can be the most hazardous part of the trip. If your divemasters ask you to do it in a particular manner it's because they know what works best for that boat, so it's a good idea to follow their procedures carefully.
- Don't approach the ladder when someone is still on it because they may slip and fall on you or the tank may slip out of his or her BC.
- Before you remove your fins, make sure you have a good grip onto something attached to the boat.
- Hand your fins up so the divemaster can grab them by the tips - the water drains out of them more quickly.
- When you are ready to climb out, put all your weight on the ladder as quickly as possible to lock it firmly in the down position.
- Keep your mask on and your regulator in your mouth so if you slip it will be no big deal to just drop back into the water.
- Look before you sit down to be sure no one has set a camera or other gear on the bench.
- Never sit on the deck - your head is the same height as a tank worn by a standing diver.
- The divemasters will assist you in removing your BC and tanks. Once the gear has been removed, move away from the stern of the boat as a lot of activity is taking place there.
- Quickly gather up your gear and pack it away in your dive bag. Don't leave things lying around on the deck. Chances are it could easily get lost or broken.
- Once the boat returns to the dock, stand back and let the boat operators secure the dive boat before starting to unload gear.
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