But not all dive operators are equal. And nor are all dive experiences.
New 'dive operators' pop up on a regular basis - then pop off again, come back, then off again... There's nothing to stop any dive instructor or dive master renting a truck, some equipment and some tanks and taking folks diving, at a fraction of the price of the legitimate dive operators.
Except you.
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| The Dive Bus, Curacao: PADI 5 Star + CTB approved! |
But how do you choose a good dive operator - and why should you care?
So a guy walks into a dive shop...
...Dive shop employee: Good morning sir, how are you doing?
Guy: How much is a 2 tank dive with you?
Dive shop employee: Are you already a certified diver sir?
Guy: Yeah, sure.
Dive shop employee: Have you dived within the last 18 months, sir?
Guy: Yeah, sure.
Dive shop employee: Do you have your your cert card or logbook with you?
Guy: Yeah, sure.
Dive shop employee: Cool, then it's $85 for 2 guided dives on our gorgeous house reef, including sales tax.You'll need to bring your cert card and logbook when you complete your waiver.
Guy: Wow, it's only $50 with the guys across the road. If you meet that price, we'll dive with you. Otherwise, no way, that's too expensive. And what's sales tax?
Dive shop employee: Did the guys across the road ask if you are a certified diver or when you last dived?
Guy: No, why?
Dive shop employee: Did they ask you to complete a waiver or any paperwork?
Guy: No, why?
Dive shop employee: Did they tell you when or where you'll be diving? How deep the dives will be? How long the dives will be? How many other divers in the group?
Guy: No, we just have to swing by sometime this afternoon and then we'll head out for a dive. Why?
Dive shop employee: Do you need to rent equipment?
Guy: Yes, why?
Dive shop employee: Did you see their rental equipment? Check the condition and if it works? See the gear maintenance log to see how often it's checked or maintained?
Guy: No....
Dive shop employee: Did you see any certification or validation details of their Dive Instructors or DMs?
Guy: No, why?Dive shop employee: Do you know anything about the dive operator? Did you check them out on Trip Advisor or anywhere else for feedback from previous divers?
Guy: No, I just saw them and went in.
Dive shop employee: Did you see any insurance certificates, agency affiliation certificates, proof of business establishment?
Guy: No, why?
Dive shop employee: Do they have a clear air certificate for their tank fills?
Guy: I don't know - why?
Dive shop employee: Do they have O2 and first aid kit? An Emergency Response Plan on display? A phone or VHF radio at the dive site?
Guy: Don't know, why?
Dive shop employee: Do you know if they have a certified CPR/EFR provider present where you're diving?Guy: No idea, why?
Dive shop employee: Are they giving you a ride back to your accommodation after diving?
Guy: Not sure, why?
Dive shop employee: Do you know if their vehicle is insured for public liability? Has current road tax? Has current road-worthiness inspection papers?
Guy: No idea.Dive shop employee: Is there a charge for the ride?
Guy: No idea.
Dive shop employee: Do they have a secure place for you to leave your clothes, wallet and car keys whilst you're diving? Bathroom? Shower? Drinking water?
Guy: No idea.
Guy: OK, so how much was a 2 tank guided dive with you guys again?
Dive shop employee: $85 sir.
Guy: And you have all that stuff? And you do all that stuff?
Dive shop employee: We're a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, Curacao Tourist Board approved dive operator and CHATA Dive Task Force member. The questions I just asked you are safety and quality standards we have to meet to achieve these accreditations. The certificates are on the wall behind the check-in counter, next to the Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence for each year since they were introduced in 2011, along with info about our team of dive instructors.
Guy: Ah.
Guy: OK.
Guy: So - do you have availability for us to dive today? Tomorrow also works.
Dive shop employee: Do you have your cert card or logbook with you sir?
