Whether you’re a brand-new open water diver or a seasoned pro exploring Cozumel’s vibrant reefs, good scuba diver etiquette is essential for a safe and enjoyable dive experience for everyone. You’ll enhance your own dives and build camaraderie with your fellow divers when you are a courteous diver.
Scuba diver etiquette is about more than just being polite. It begins on land, so we cover common courtesies to ensure the dive starts out right. We’ll also delve into the practice of tipping divemasters and instructors, how to be a polite underwater photographer, and the best ways to fin underwater.
Here is a list of top 10 tips to help you be a stellar dive buddy and customer.
Scuba Diver Etiquette On Land
1. Be Punctual
Scuba operators try to plan dives carefully to align with optimal conditions and accommodate everyone’s schedules. Arriving late can disrupt the schedule and test the patience of your fellow divers. Arrive early, check your gear, and be ready to board the boat promptly.
If you need to catch up with setup, start setting up early so everyone can enter the water together.
2. Double-Check Your Gear
There’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve left a critical piece of equipment—like your mask—back at the shop. Before departure, be sure to check through your gear to double-check that you have everything in your bag. Nothing is worse than having to sit on the boat while others go diving!
3. Keep Your Gear Organized
Dive boats have limited space, and scattered gear can cause chaos. Stow your equipment neatly in your designated area. A tidy setup ensures easy access and keeps the boat deck safe and clear.
The last thing you want is for someone to trip over your gear or your expensive camera if you’re a photographer!
4. Respect the Dive Crew
The dive crew, including the Dive Master (DM), ensures your safety and enjoyment. They know the dive sites intimately and are trained to handle emergencies. Listen attentively during briefings and follow their instructions.
Even if you’re an experienced diver, the DM is the leader for a reason—let them guide the group.
5. Show Appreciation: Scuba Tipping Essentials
Tipping in Scuba is a practice that many divers don’t understand. Dive crews work hard to make your dives possible, from filling tanks to cleaning boats and providing snacks.
Tips are shared among the dive crew, and the common practice is to tip anywhere from $5 to $10 per dive or 10% to 15% of the dive price. Tipping can make a big difference in their lives and help them better provide for their families.
Scuba Diver Etiquette Underwater
6. Be a Good Guest in the Ocean
The underwater world is a fragile ecosystem. Avoid touching, chasing, or feeding marine life. Contact with coral can cause irreparable damage, and startling animals can disrupt their natural behavior.
Keep your hands to yourself and enjoy marine life from a respectful distance. Remember that some marine life can harm you, such as fire coral, lionfish, scorpionfish, and stonefish.
7. Avoid Silting Up the Bottom
Proper buoyancy control is key to protecting the underwater environment and ensuring visibility for other divers. Kicking up sand or debris with your fins can obscure the view and harm delicate ecosystems.
Stay off the bottom, streamline your position, and use controlled, gentle kicks. The best kick is the frog kick; it is a bit difficult to master, but well worth the practice.
8. Respect Underwater Photographers and Vice-Versa!
Underwater photographers invest time, effort, and often significant money into capturing stunning moments. Be mindful of their presence; avoid swimming into their frame or disturbing the scene they’re focused on. If you communicate and cooperate, you might even score a spot in their next fantastic shot.
On the other hand, underwater photographers need to respect the other divers as well. It is common to see photographers spend too much time ‘hogging the subject,’ making it difficult for others to see interesting marine life.
Get in, get the shot, and ensure others aren’t waiting for you to be done.
9. Take Turns with Interesting Subjects
Don’t rush in and crowd the area when the divemaster points out something incredible, like a moray eel or an octopus. Wait for others to have their turn and approach slowly to prevent startling the marine life.
A little patience goes a long way, and be sure to watch your finning when leaving so you don’t stir up the sand.
10. Stay close to Your Group
Diving as a group ensures safety, especially in areas with strong currents or limited visibility. Straying too far can disrupt the dive plan and force the divemaster or your buddy to stop the dive to find you. Stay within sight and communicate as needed.
A good practice is to carry a SMB when diving in strong currents, as Cozumel can have. Learn how to inflate it and use it if you happen to get separated from your group. During the dive briefing, ensure your divemaster informs you of the boat name and call sign before you jump in the water. This will help if another dive boat approaches to assist you.
Be the Diver Everyone Wants to Dive With
Practicing good scuba diver etiquette ensures a safe, fun, and harmonious experience for everyone. Whether you’re diving off Sand Dollar Sports’ house reef or exploring Cozumel’s famous dive sites, small acts of diving courtesy make a big difference. After all, a great dive is even better when shared with happy, considerate dive buddies!
If you’re interested in some great diving while in Cozumel then check out all the scuba adventures offered by Sand Dollar Sports.