There was a time when the only way visiting students and divers could watch the Blue Grotto orientation video was to do so at the store after arriving. However, since putting the video on our website, most visitors now tell us they watch it online before coming.
Unfortunately, from what we see in the water, it’s apparent, despite what they told us, some of these divers either did not watch the video or did not pay close enough attention when they did. These are the divers who cause the most problems.
It’s important to understand that if you have divers in your group who will not be under direct supervision, people will still hold you responsible for their actions. In this age of social media, where everyone dives with a GoPro, you can’t afford this type of negative publicity.
To avoid this, here are five questions you can ask your certified divers that will test whether or not they watched the orientation video or paid sufficient attention when doing so. They are:
1 What should you do before entering the cavern?
Stop at one of the training platforms to ensure you can maintain neutral buoyancy and horizontal trim. If you cannot, you are better off remaining in open water.
2 How close can you be to the bottom?
To help maintain good visibility, we tell people they should stay at least two full body lengths away from the bottom. The exception is if they are on a training platform or one of the boulders at the back of the cavern. In our orientation video, we say to stay well above the level of the guidelines.
3 What must you be able to see when in the cavern?
You must be able to see the entrance clearly at all times. That way, should someone muck up the visibility, you will still be able to see the glow of light from the entrance to guide you to the exit.
4 What is the deepest you can go and still keep the entrance clearly in sight?
Generally speaking, 60 feet. Any deeper than that, and you will lose sight of the entrance and no longer be in the cavern zone.
5 Is there a minimum visibility requirement in the cavern?
The orientation video mentions the NSS-CDS recommendation that to qualify as a cavern, you must have at least 40 feet of visibility. That’s the length of two SUVs parked bumper to bumper.
And…?
If it is apparent from your questions that some of the certified divers in your group did not see or pay attention to the orientation video, you need to address this.
- If the divers are simply fuzzy on one or two minor points, you can most likely just explain what you have read here.
- On the other hand, if it’s clear your divers have no idea what we cover in the orientation video, send them back to the store to watch the video these.
The result will be that your divers will be safer, cause fewer problems for others and make you look better as a dive professional.