F.A.Q and F.Y.I:
DIVE TRAVEL
How come you don’t include food? The “all inclusive” path might be exactly the way to proceed at other destinations but COZUMEL has a great selection of affordable eateries to choose from. Most of our divers elect to stay together with the group and we do a tour of favorites during our stay but there is always the option to strike off on ones own for adventure or, perhaps even, romance.
I’m a new diver could I go on these trips? Yes! The COZUMEL trips are especially suited to new divers as well as more seasoned ones. The drift diving is perfect for the benefits that we afford every diver. IMPROVED BUOYANCY is a never ending quest for all of us who are trying to be good divers. Whenever we offer trips or activities that are not suitable for beginners we will say so.
Don’t you ever go anywhere but COZUMEL? We have offered at least one trip to COZUMEL each year for the past 9 years. We have been going to Mexico and COZUMEL for nearly 20 years and have good contacts there and suffer few surprises. We are usually able to cope with any that occur. We are beginning to offer trips to other locations. So far we have considered only Mexican destinations. We feel that COZUMEL is what we do best and we have many repeat travelers who apparently agree.
Will I be able to get more training or certifications? Yes! We provide opportunities to credit your diving toward Advanced certification as well as some Specialties at very attractive rates.
Will I be able to see my dives on video? Yes. We usually arrange for a record of two of your dives on video. The 2 dives are included in the trip price and usually the group elects to chip in for the additional amount needed for the videographer to remain on board to film the night dive.
Can I dive in the CENOTES? COZUMEL has a complex cave system but has very limited Cavern Diving opportunities. We can arrange trips to the Riviera Maya that include ferry transport, land transport on the mainland, 2 single tank dives in the Sacred Wells of the Maya, with a guide, and lunch. John Noftall always accompanies these trips and , when there are more than 4 divers, fills in as the 2nd guide. The CENOTE experience, while always within the natural light zone of the cave, is still considered a serious “overhead environment”. These side trips are offered near the end of the stay and the two requirements are: That it be your idea ,one that you are comfortable with, and that John is comfortable with taking you after seeing you dive in open water. If there are any doubts, this is an experience best saved for a time when there is a greater comfort level.
Can I pay for my trip with my Frequent Flyer Miles? No! Group travel packages do not allow for this option when group air fares are integral to the trip. We are, however, considering the possibility of offering special “Meet me in Mexico” trips where we apply our formula to everything but air travel and allow you to use your points to get there on your own.
Can I join the group or I have a friend that would like to join the group from a different origin? Right now that is not possible but if the “Meet me in Mexico” idea becomes a reality, this would, of course, be the answer to that as well.
BUT I CAN’T DRINK THE WATER RIGHT? Bottled water is available everywhere. The actual water supply on COZUMEL is probably as good as anywhere in the states. MEXICO like JAWS is a word that has struck terror into many a heart, thanks to the CINEMA. COZUMEL, in particular, is a very safe place. The people are very nice and violent crime is rare. An open mind is essential. The faces may look different but older visitors will recognize the values. We used to have many of them, in the states, when we were younger.
DIVE TRAINING
I’ve been diving for 25 years, isn’t my buoyancy good enough? Maybe it is but it is possible to repeat the same dive over and over for 25 years and learn very little. If you constantly “over weight” yourself , to catch bugs, or for whatever reason, you probably have room for improvement. If you look back into a trail of silt when you dive, there may be cause for some concern. If you use your hands to dog paddle or scull in any way or you use them to pull yourself around the bottom when you dive , the answer could be maybe it isn’t “good enough”. We don’t believe that “good enough” is a good enough answer.
What’s with the ”No Hands” thing? Divers who constantly or even occasionally use their hands while diving tell us what they don’t know rather than what they do know. Even some very well known or even famous divers routinely betray themselves in this fashion. Not using the hands is the key to learning how to fully exploit the possibilities of breathing and fin technique. Use your hands, even once, on a dive and we know………….. what you don’t know. You just told us. We believe that Buoyancy Control is “the” most important foundation skill in diving. You don’t build the best anything on a weak foundation.
Where can I get some bigger tanks so I can keep up with my buddies? Bigger tank volume is probably not the answer to your problem. Better technique, while it may require more time than whipping out the old credit card to pay for that huge tank, will be a better investment in the long run. Your air consumption is a direct result of both your comfort level and your buoyancy skills. Loose the extra lead, subtract the hands, concentrate on using your breathing as a tool to adjust your position within the water column and the tank you have now will grow in size.
What’s with the metal backplates and crotch straps… isn’t that Tech Diving? What you have seen is people who are adapting “Hogarthian” diving techniques into the realm of Open Water Diving. The BCD, the alternate air source and the power inflator are all items that are commonly used in Open Water Diving that can find their roots in cave diving. Hogarthian is a” less is more approach” to diving. If you don’t need it don’t take it. It is about clean gear configurations and proven techniques. It’s about not looking like some sort of “Underwater Chuck Wagon” with gadgets hanging off . Some of the proponents have elected to rename it “doing it this or that way” but we , perhaps, are dinosaurs and will continue to refer to it by the “original” name. Beginning in 2005 BuoyancyQuest will begin integrating some of these values into all of our training efforts. This approach combined with our emphasis on buoyancy skills will provide not only a “prep school” for divers who are considering technical training but a unique foundation for any diver.
John Noftall