*image of Double Action Dive Charters boat in Hammond Marina, one of the few operators in the Chicagoland area.
We are going to cover:
- Tipping
- Just Shut Up!
- What to bring?
- Before you get on
- Walking on...now what?
- Setting up - Order of operation
- Getting In - The Pool is Open!
- Getting Out - Time to Go
Tipping
How much you tip and when to tip and who to tip is all personal choice. Currently it's a divisive topic socially so you do you. Regardless of how you feel about the tipping culture, these boat crews are not making a living wage without it. Right. Wrong. Whatever...it's simply true. In my opinion tips should be part of your budget when you go diving. How much should I budget?$10 per tank "to the boat"
If you go on a "2 tank dive" that means $20. In cash. Usually there is a box somewhere on the boat you can put it in. It is then split up by all members of the crew.
Just Shut Up!
For the love of all things holy...SHUT UP!....stop talking when someone on the crew is talking. Sure...make friends. Yes...talk to your insta-buddy. But for heaven sake...PAY ATTENTION...and when someone in the crew is talking... SHUT UP!Crew members don't talk to just talk. They are telling you something YOU need to know. Even if this is your 1,000 boat dive...SHUT UP!. There are other people on the boat who want to hear.
This is also not the time to walk around the boat and critique your fellow divers choice of equipment or setup. Honestly...nobody cares what your opinion is. If you see something interesting, sure...maybe ask them about it as a way of getting to know them. However, asking a question so you can tell them they are wrong is not what you should be doing. Worry about your own self.
However....if you see something dangerous then of course say something. Someone using a jacket BCD instead of a BPW is not "dangerous". Someone with a compass hanging from a Dring instead of on their wrist is not "dangerous". You're just being an ass and everyone can tell. Stop it.
What to bring?
In short...as little as you can.Look at the picture above...though you will have more room than you will diving warm water in Florida or Cozumel...if the boat is full (and we hope it is so they stay in business) you can't sprawl too much. Generally speaking, a drysuit bag and a plastic box or bag measuring roughly 24" long, 16" wide and 16" tall is about all you really can take. If necessary, move your personal gear or your empty drysuit bag into the galley area.
- Your own tanks (must supply your own)
- Your own weights (must supply your own)
- BCD / BPW
- Drysuit (preferred) or 7mm Wetsuit
- Fins \w boots
- Dry bag for...
- Phone
- Cash
- ID/Wallet
- Sun glasses
- Your street clothes after you change into dive gear
- Towel
- Hoodie or Boat Coat or Rain Coat as appropriate
- In your "wet" Box / Bag that goes under your seat...
- Regulators
- dSMB
- Mirror / Whistle
- Flash Light(s)
- Small save-a-dive kit
- Computer
- Mask + DeFog
- Bottle of Water (optional if you know the boat will have some)
12 Hours Before You Get On
- Take Dramamine...don't try and be cool...take the Dramamine
- Use your checklist to make sure you have everything
- Hydrate...drink water
- Plan to arrive 1 hour before the boat plans to leave....YES 1 HOUR!!. 10-15min to get your gear on board, 10-15min to check-in, 10-15min to chat, 10-15min for the briefing...that's 60 minutes right there....Don't be that guy that shows up 5min before we are supposed to leave.
Walking on...now what?
- Walk up to the side/back of the boat and step on. If you don't see any other divers (you'll know because of the tanks) ask the crew if it is okay to board. Don't assume...ask.
- Ask the person who looks to be in charge where they want you. Don't assume...ask. If they say pick a spot...try and figure out if you dive off the side or the back and sit close to that spot so less hazzard of walking with a tank on your back, fins on your feet and a rolling deck.
Setting up - Order of Operation
- Bring your tanks on first if you can. Secure them with a bungee.
- Put your BCD on the bench and leaning up against your tanks.
- Some boats like the Double Action out of Hammond, IN you can put your fins above your seat
- Put everything else under the bench.
- Remove the bungee around the tank with one hand while holding the BCD and tank from falling
- Slide BCD over the tank and secure tank straps
- Re-Attach the bungee strap...NEVER walk away from your tank if the bungee is removed
- ...Your hands are now free...
- Pull out your basic gear from under the bench and put it on the bench. Leave your drysuit and everything else under the bench.
- Remove the bungee around the tank with one hand while holding the BCD and tank from falling
- Place the 1st stage regulator on your tank
- Re-Attach the bungee strap...NEVER walk away from your tank if the bungee is removed
- Open the tank and listen for leaks - you checked this at home before you got here right?
- Take mask and computer out and attach them to your BCD in some way. DO NOT place them on the bench as they will get damaged eventually.
- If you have taken up too much room, fill your dry bag with non-dive stuff and place it out of the way of the dive area. Possibly up in the galley area.
- If you need even more room and the temperature isn't brutal...get out of the dive area and put on your Drysuit halfway and stow the drysuit bag in the galley as well.
- Now...Get. Out. Of. The. Way...of everyone else.
- Stand around chatting until someone asks you about paperwork / liability waivers
Getting In - The Pool is Open!
It is almost a certainty that you will be doing a Giant Stride entry. The only thing you really must get right is you must be positively bouyant. That means...when it is your turn to stand up and move forward...INFLATE YOUR BCD!!.Getting Out - Time to Go
It is almost a certainty that you will be coming up a ladder. There are several different types of ladders, so pay attention to the dive briefing. They will tell you if you should come up the ladder with your fins on or off. Regardless, the two most important things to remember are:- Do NOT crowd the ladder. If the person in front of you falls backwards you are going to get an air tank to the face.
- Your regulator stays in your mouth until you are fully up the ladder and have taken several steps into the boat