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#8046
Do the DM’s in your state actually get into the water on trips?
Rich-D-Fish - 2/27/2013 5:24 PM
Category: Travel
Replies: 10

I have a curious question to ask divers from other states. In your state, when you go on dive boats, do the DM’s get in the water? I live and dive mostly in Southern California, where the DM stays on the boat to help divers in and out of the water, but never seem to lead a tour. Is this the same thing in Texas, Florida, etc? Whenever I go on a tropical dive trip the DM always leads the dive, even when we wish they wouldn’t. For me this has been the case in Hawaii, Mexico, and the Bahamas so far. The reason this subject came up was a conversation I became part of this past weekend at my favorite local dive shop. A couple was in town from Canada and came in to ask where they could dive. The store owner told them about the local dive boats, steered them away from shore diving for safety reasons, and then pointed them to Casino Point, just offshore on our local Catalina Island. The dive park there rents gear and there are usually hundreds of divers in the water. He pointed out that "there" they would probably be safe "without a guide." It was then that it dawned on me, that I am always on my own when diving anywhere in Southern California. I guess you could pay big money and pay an instructor on their day off to give you a tour. So chime in for your state. What do I have to look forward to when I start traveling around the country to dive?
#51828
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Greg - 2/27/2013 5:49 PM
In Texas, there really aren’t dive trips that are accompanied by a DM, unless you specifically pay for a tour or course. I’ve been on dive trips in the Gulf and if there is a DM on the boat, they have gotten in the water. Unless the DM is also the boat captain :)


On dive trips in Cozumel, the DM’s with Sea Robin Cozumel have always got in the water to show us the cool stuff and to lead the dive.
#6220
OUBobcat - 2/27/2013 6:18 PM
In SC, the shop I use have DM’s in the water but they do not lead dives. Theres usually a DM on the boat and one in the water.
#20387
LatitudeAdjustment - 2/27/2013 7:46 PM
Good question, in NJ the DM usually ties on to the wreck, then comes up and does the brief, seen the same in NC. One exception is where a group/club/shop charters the whole boat and brings it’s own DM’s

In Florida the DM goes on the dive, not always leading but then I’ve seen mutliple DM’s on Florida boats too plus photo guides. Been out on JA’s boat out of WPB where it seems every photographer has his own DM/guide. Same is true for most tropical travel spots and places like Coz where the live boat is following the DM.
#11850
TColJeep - 2/27/2013 8:55 PM
Long Island dive boats generally have a mate go down, do the tie in and then it’s pool open. Unless you have an instructor with you or make prior arrangments for a guide, you are on your own.
#1806
hcdiveteambrian - 2/27/2013 9:06 PM
What I found out about Catalina Island Dive Park (Casino Point) in Avalon CA, if you tell them at the airfill/tank rental that you are not from California and have not dived in thick Giant Kelp before...they will almost NOT let you dive without a DM Guide on the first dives, the second dives w/DM guides are cheaper, but not so much required. Until you show that the kelp is not gonna freak you out. They told me that on the Pier, that they will dicourage you from going in without prior California Giant Kelp experience!! Down at Wreck Alley they (DM’s) dive to the wreck at times to check on condtions but then come back up.

I know I’m not from other states, I’ve dived on alot of Chartered Boats here in California, I wont name them because Rich-D-Fishes are the best, but they come with the option of DM or Inst Guided dives for free. That’s my 2 cents, even though it didn’t apply to the question!!
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DiveBuddyChgo - 3/01/2013 4:51 AM
DM’s do not go in the water from the charter boat. The DM is much more needed on the boat to help divers topside.
#7367
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UWnewbee - 3/01/2013 8:00 AM
Theres 1 dive shop ive heard of in my state, they have shore diving. the cost is free, you must produce your c-card a dm will have you follow him to the spot if its to rough will take you to another area if permitting, and the kind of off beat thing is, once at the site, he/she just simply points and says,, there it is! so whats the point? just give me directions ill get there on my own!
#2309
Scuba-Smurf - 3/06/2013 8:30 AM
We always have a DM and boat captain. DM Helps people on the boat and then leads the dive (if needed), if not, they do dive but generally accompany the least experienced divers just for company.
#8590
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dalehall - 6/20/2013 7:47 AM
I’ve done charters all over the South (The Caronlina’s, GA, FL, Keys, etc) as with most of the above posters stated, the DM stays on the boat to help divers on and off the boat. The only places I’ve been that had tours guided by the DM’s/Instructors was in the Bahamas with Stuart Cove’s and at Coco Cay with Royal Caribbean because it was a "guided tour." I’m sure there are many others, but those are the only ones I’ve done personally.
#57
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marmar - 3/16/2014 10:33 AM
My husband and I have been diving all over the Caribbean we never had to pay extra for a DM.. one time we went diving by ourselves in the Bahamas no DM. Checking out dive shops in keywest for our trip this year is when I discovered the paying for DM. I don’t mind paying extra we enjoy the DM going with use they always know the spots to check out and also for safety you never know!! Thanks for the info.