Dive Center Red Flags

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00:00 Introduction
01:34 Fudging Paperwork
03:12 Rental Gear
04:38 Bad Taste
06:00 Rushing
07:42 Packed Like Sardines
08:58 Too Touchy
09:51 Picking Things Up
10:50 Not In Status
12:01 Poor Communication
13:27 Cheapest Price We partner with www.scuba.com and www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel. The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

[@dmitryshevchenko6815]

Didn’t even realize how good I had it getting my open water 1 on 1… it was super thorough and awesome

[@andreasbangjensen3885]

A huge red flag for me is any diver or dive operation with the approach of "this is super safe and nothing can go wrong" it's a mindset that instantly puts my mind in high alert. Diving is a dangerous hobby, it's the acknowledgement of this and the preparation to prevent the dangerous situations that makes a dive safe.

[@DavidFrias-rg8px]

If you are asking for information about diving in a diving center, and you asked if there is a chance to see there diving gear, they should show you there equipment proudly. If you have a "no, you cannot see the equipment...." that's is a red flag!!

[@ericsymons1376]

First thing to make me feel comfortable when entering a dive shop looking to dive is when the ask to see my cert.

[@bowcaps]

Although I’ve never witnessed any issues with dive operators to date, many of the people I’ve met whilst diving ‘fun dives’ have recounted some horror stories. Now I pay for the extra case/bag on the plane and use my own kit.

[@duikmans]

Worst dive center ever was in Tunisia: they knew I was an instructor and I had told them that I didn't want to go diving with beginners (it's a holiday, after all) Only when the boat was out of the harbor I was told that we were out for a dive with a DM and 3 beginners and that the other guy of the center that was on the boat was not going to dive with me (and there was no refund). So, I went in the water with the other 4. 5 mins in the dive, one of the beginners went up like an arrow and the DM followed her, leaving me and the 2 other beginners behind at 15 meters. I went in instructor modus, signaled them to re-group, and we had a nice, albeit boring dive for another 15 mins. When we surfaced, we got to hear that the other beginner had a panic attack, just like on her first 2 dives... Oh yeah: paperwork was fudgy, briefing almost nonexistent, and good thing I always bring my own gear with me because theirs looked old, and I don't know how well serviced it was.

[@user-xi2um9xz9u]

Did DAN make the Abaco diver sign an NDA at any point in or after the investigation or are they allowed to speak about their experience?

[@RobinMoerland]

Some of the red flags I have seen besides the video - rusted cylinders (and I mean really really bad one's) - valves screwed on crooked. - unserviced compressors which included oil smell and taste. - antique gear where dinosaurs dived with.

[@dickyl3610]

I always take regs and mask as a minimum, and usually a 3mm neoprene undervest in case the centre wet suits are knackered, which is more common than you’d like to think it is. 🥶

[@duikmans]

That, my travel wing and my dive computer.

[@leopoldbloom4835]

When I entered a dive center in Jamaica to ask for a beginner’s course, the staff was smoking weed. Good vibes, but no thanks. 😁

[@Funstead]

What?! They were smoking weed in Jamaica?!? Where their religion involves smoking?? That is so weird.

[@ppo2424]

Quite right,you did the right thing.

[@ppo2424]

It's totally wrong if the guy is teaching scuba,do it out of hours.@@Funstead

[@nyax129]

Obviously you have never been to utila.... hahah

[@ppo2424]

Bunch of cowboys there as well eh.@@nyax129

[@victorkochkarev2576]

While diving in Cuba my equipment was not maintained and had loads of champagne like air leaks. I asked a guide if it is normal, he replied - anywhere arround the world it would be unacceptable, but here it is perfectly fine.

[@ahmedsamy8406]

😂

[@ppo2424]

Agree with all the points made with the possible exception of a dive pro handling underwater. We always had a zero-touch policy or one-finger rule, i.e. if you put the end of your finger on a rock to steady yourself. I have seen a dive pro pick up a sea cucumber and show it close up to guests, he was very respectful and tbh i don't see a big problem with that. I doubt v much if the cucumber was offended.Shark feeding I do not condone at all,but it is legal in some countries. Stroking morays is common and that's just plain dumb imo, they can and do leave very nasty injuries that always go septic, even if mr cool instructor thinks he knows what he is doing. Yes look dont touch is the right mantra though.

[@Dreoni_]

The worst center I've been in didn't check certification, insurance or medical form. No briefing, we even had to ask the name of the site. Also no guide, they told us it's just a big rock go round you won't get lost. When we inevitably got lost they at least came for us. IMO that's not a dive center, just a scuba tank and boat renting centre.

[@ppo2424]

Can you say where this was?

[@Dreoni_]

@@ppo2424 small city in northern spain, there wasn't another dive center so we were stuck with them

[@ppo2424]

Well,dont go with them again, that's about as bad as it gets, and as you say, that's no dive centre. assholes.@@Dreoni_

[@ahmedsamy8406]

I experienced that in Hurghada when the dive centre allowed an Indian woman to dive despite she couldn’t provide her padi certificate …as soon as we reached 10 meters she panicked completely 😂😂😂

[@duikmans]

@@Dreoni_ Around the Medas Isles?

[@duikmans]

Unfortunately, too many apply to most of the holiday dive centers. I can't remember a holiday where I didn't experience at least one of the points mentioned.

[@ahmedsamy8406]

I trust trip advisor it always give me good dive centres but of course they are much expensive that other

[@duikmans]

@@ahmedsamy8406 I try to do that too, but even then.

[@snap4433221]

@@ahmedsamy8406 problem with tripadvisor is that those shady dive centers often also do daytours, snorkeling trips etc. and try to get as many 5 star reviews as possible through that. Learned this the hard way in Egypt.

[@mgelax]

The PADI form asks if you've had surgery in the last 12 months. One man questioned this because he had a vasectomy, that wasn't specifically excluded on the form, just shy of the time period (11 months). He was annoyed that he might have to get medical clearance for that. He just put no since he had no complications and it was a long time previous to that. It's a "surgery" that's done in the Dr office with no anesthesia. Contrast that with the fact that I had a Tympanoplasty 3 weeks ago - obviously I shouldn't be diving for 6 months!

[@ppo2424]

That's fine,would invalidate any insurance he hd though most likely if there was any issue.

[@Yggdrasil42]

Many people make that choice and will usually be fine. The problem is that a simple form and a dive instructor can't make that judgements, so they don't want to. It's your choice to risk your own life. If you're not sure but dive regularly ask the doctor on your checkup after surgery to sign a paper so you're prepared for the question.

[@LiamNL]

At a young age I got labelled with Asthma, but after a recent check with my family doctor he declared that the effects of it has become so negligible that I don't even have to take the medication any more. But the safety form before a dive always specifically states if you have had a history/prior experience with Asthma, and because of that I have been to a dive doctor and they gave no conclusive statement about any issues with the lungs (did have some issues with being overweight but I'm working on that). But because of this I now a form from the dive doctor that says I'm unfit to dive and would have to spend another 100 euro's just to get another look at it, even though the reason I went to the doctor seems to be for all intents and purposes 'gone'.

[@chrisphilhower6029]

In 2006 I was I had an Asthma Like Condition. For the most part is Under Control without Meds. Just have some problems in Hot Muggy Environments. I dove to 60 Feet without problem when I did my PADI OW on Aug 5, 6 2023.

[@Yggdrasil42]

Why can't your family doctor sign a note saying that your asthma should not impact your diving abilities? That's all the dive center cares about. Either that or lie on the form if you're sure it isn't an issue any more. I personally lie about having had back problems. Broke my spine years ago, which doesn't cause me any issues anymore but used to.

[@ppo2424]

Did you declare your asthma when you did your course. How would you deal with diving into a strong current?@@chrisphilhower6029

[@chrisphilhower6029]

@@ppo2424 No, Its Under Control. Just Hot, Muggy days give me problems

[@ppo2424]

Just so you know, if you did have a diving accident, any insurance would be void, not being a killjoy, that's just how it is. @@chrisphilhower6029

[@EricBoren]

All on the same boat: - No hex key for a yoke insert - Using petroleum jelly to lubricate o-rings on nitrox cylinders - Fins floating around in about a foot of water in the boat because the bilge pump doesn't work

[@MegaFPVFlyer]

I recently did my first "dive" (confined water try scuba), and there were 3 equipment failures of varying seriousness between my try scuba group and an open water class using the pool. My mouthpiece was cracked (very uncomfortable), one of the BCDs' back pad thing (?) came off and was floating in the water, and one of the OW students had a pretty massive first stage leak. Needless to say, I'm going to have a serious talk with them before doing my OW cert.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Such a shame to see dive centers like this... Sure, new school equipment is a cost for them but, it needs to be spent otherwise new divers may be turned off

[@ppo2424]

Tell them to sort out their maintenance properly,

[@MaximeCheminade]

I really hate how the main camera looks "blurry". Probably a mist filter of some sort but, really too powerful.

[@maximzavadskiy]

Bringing you to the 30 meters without checking your license. And you only hear that dive plan in the boat.

[@jeffclapp7330]

I went to a dive center that had a "deep" wreck. My dive buddy was OW only, but I wanted to do it. After diving with them the first day I asked about it, and they said they'd take us both... And they did... my buddy hit 157' (~48m) on that dive with their dive guide just watching (I got him to come up and the deep part of the dive was then over).

[@boatingdave1883]

Good “watch outs”.

[@caro_santamaria]

Another big red flag that is very common is those desperate dive centres that push sales on you in an intense manner! 😠 I can’t stand when people are so pushy when trying to get you to buy every single course they offer and just won’t leave you alone, they keep bringing it up, even around other divers although you already declined. Its so uncomfortable and unprofessional!

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

The same with pushing gear _they_ want to sell. If a diver wants to buy a brand then sell them that brand. You can recommend alternatives but, don't push it

[@Smoothjaswi]

My local shop, as great as it is, won't stop pushing the padi courses that I do not want. Then they'll say 'oh we don't make much off courses, selling gear keeps the shop afloat.

[@chrisphilhower6029]

If there is a Smell or Taste in the Air, Doesn't the Inside of the Tank need to be cleaned? My OW Portion consisted of 4, 20 Minute Minimum Dives. Or when someone hit 2k PSI. I ended each dive with more PSI than the other students.

[@redolds231]

Bad smell or taste of the air could be an issue with the compressor also, e.g. filters or bad seals in the compressor.

[@ppo2424]

As mentioned almost certainly the compressor, often not replacing the filter/s often enough.2kpsi is a lot of remaining air left, 20 mins is the minimum for a training dive ,imo they were being a bit tight.

[@jeffconley6366]

Absolutely, if the air smells coming out of your cylinder have a Visual Inspection done.

[@marlon8929]

I always spend one day finding my Center for the Vaccination and never book in advance. First thing i check out ist the equipment room. Are things labelled and Numbered? Ist it organised and tidy? Are there at separate Tanks to clean the equipment. Are the employees busy or just lounging around? In my experience the small things are the best indicators how a centre is run.

[@ramsesbyron2004]

Smoking is mine. I don't say I'm an instructor, I just ask about guided tours when I'm out. If the tour guide smokes I don't go.... most smokers I have dove with suck down more gas and end dives earlier.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

When a dive center treats customers like they are not welcomed time to turn around spend money where your welcomed

[@willsmooth45]

Can you talk bout Cozumel I’m going on January

[@drcrusher0]

While watching I just realized that the last diving centre I went diving with on vacation proudly had the PADI flag up - but they‘re not listed at all. So that was just for decoration I suppose. Things went okay but that bugs me.

[@dtt3426]

the only problem i see with all of these scenarios is getting your money back. you usually prepay before diving and if the dive shop thinks it's not their fault you aren't going to get a refund.

[@Yggdrasil42]

Your life is worth more even if you lose some money. If they don't refund you definitely leave some bad reviews.

[@jeffconley6366]

I have a real problem with the medical forms. I think they are just to protect the Certification Agencies, Dive Shops and Instructors from lawsuits. It can be very hard to find an MD with a background in diving medicine. Come on we are suppose to be adults. Give us the information about health issues that can be contrary to safe diving. And let us decide whether to see a doctor or take the risk. There is risk in every thing we do in life. As we get older most of us will have had some condition during our life time that could be contrary to diving. Do you want to have to get a physical from an MD every time you take a course?

[@duikmans]

We need to get a physical every year.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Staff with heavy beards always give me pause 😮

[@leopoldbloom4835]

Wrong channel. 😉

[@jonnieinbangkok]

@@leopoldbloom4835 For sure 😆

[@ahmedsamy8406]

In one dive at Hurghada the dive centre allowed an Indian woman to dive while she claimed that she forgot her padi dive card also she didn’t have an E card as well of course as soon as we hit 10 meters she panicked completely and the guide too her back to the boat , 10 minutes later I got a wet breath from the obviously never serviced regulator and I was choking with sea water at 20 meters depth that was the most dangerous thing I ever experienced while diving I tried to cal my self and successfully continued the dive but I never go with that centre again 👎 as you expected it was the cheapest centre it was 30 dollars for two dives including all gear rental and dinner at the boat

[@Yggdrasil42]

That's dirt cheap. A red flag in itself.

[@leopoldbloom4835]

Every registered dive pro, even divemasters, can check your PADI brevet by app on their phone. All they need is your name and birthday. If they don’t, they don’t want to know.

[@dmitryshevchenko6815]

Again, what’s the point telling us without a name of the operation?

[@kennethh2430]

Recently had lunch with a cousin, told him I'm Adv Open Water Certified. I asked him if he's ever wanted to SCUBA, I expected, "That sounds like a lot of fun!" Instead he told me that he's gone diving a few times, including at least 1 cave...all uncertified, all untrained. I basically told him he's an idiot lol. But I understand, ignorance is bliss :D

[@Yggdrasil42]

Wow, yeah that's a bad habit. As as long as it goes unpunished hell probably keep doing increasingly risky things. Normalization of deviation.

[@leopoldbloom4835]

That’s what they call a „serial try-diver“. They just dive without certification and some dodgy dive centers label it a try dive, no matter how deep. Completely irresponsible.

[@southcoastairsports]

is it me or is everyone on you tube now becoming very OVER ACTING why can't people just talk and act normally