Almost every time I do a pre-dive safety check with my divers, I am shocked. When I tell them to check to make sure their tanks are open, many do so incorrectly. Some divers take a few breaths from the regulator; others press the regulator purge button and listen for a release of air. A few look at the pressure gauge; to check for a full reading. None of these actions alone is sufficient to confirm that a tank valve is open. Read more...

"I've got it!" the divemaster said, ripping my scuba diving gear out of my hands. "It's my job to set up your gear."  I replied, "No thanks."

 I find others setting up my equipment annoying, and so should you.

Many divers think setting up clients' gear for them is good customer service. I say, think again.  When a dive professional or buddy takes away the responsibility of setting up and checking gear from a diver, the diver develops an attitude of complacency and dependence about his gear. This is a dangerous attitude to have in an equipment-dependent sport.

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Have you ever felt pressured to make a dive you were not 100% sure about, a dive that was beyond your personal limitations (meaning your training, experience, or comfort zone)? Every diver will be faced with this potentially dangerous situation at some point, be prepared.

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I know of a PADI dive center breaking PADI standards. They are allowing PADI Divemasters (certified guides) to teach student divers confined water skills and take students diving in the ocean for their first diving experience without an instructor present. PADI regulations specifically state that only an instructor (a higher rating than divemaster) may do this. I do not want to start to debate whether the PADI Divemasters in question are good divers, good teachers, or are doing a good job. What annoys me is this:

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