Dear Fellow Divers,
Have you ever seen something really interesting on a dive, only to have another diver or five rush to your location, push in front of you, and screw up the moment and the photo you hoped to take? They may have also kicked up the bottom or the wall and totally screwed up the visibility. It’s pretty likely you have had this happen to you at least once, maybe a lot of times. If everyone would follow this week’s diving etiquette tip, no such problems would ever happen. The tip is simple: DON’T CROWD. Dive buddies should always be in touching distance of each other with few exceptions, but everyone else, please back off!
If you see another diver looking at something or pointing or taking a photo and you are curious, then approach slowly. Hang out for a time about four to six feet above them and at least four feet behind them. Wait for them to clear the location then take your turn. Too often in the excitement of seeing an interesting creature or creature behavior we forget what we should have learned in kindergarten: to take turns, and to wait your turn. No one wants to get kicked in the face (it happens) or to lose the chance to get the great picture they were lining up.
We hope all of you who read this will follow the rule, and ask (or tell) others to do the same. Please don’t crowd, don’t monopolize, and don’t be a jerk. It’s not necessary. It’s a big ocean out there with enough neat stuff for everyone to see and get close too.
Don’t crowd on the dive boat, either. Leave space between you and the diver’s ahead of you getting into the water. The same applies on exiting. Be sure the diver ahead of you is clear of the exit area before you start up the ladder. We’ll tlak more about that in the weeks to come.
Happy diving, everyone!
The Scuba Snobs
