>Ask questions of the staff members, and pay attention to both the substance of their answers and their demeanor while talking with you. They may answer your questions fully, provide additional information and do so with friendliness and enthusiasm, or you may encounter a staff member who seems to be going through the motions and is not willing to engage with you. Their attitude can help you determine if you can trust them during your dives.
>Ask if they can handle repairs, ask about their policies, and ask them about any special accommodations you may need. Ask other divers in the shop if they have dived with them before and what their experience was like. The responses you get from other divers and the thoroughness of the staff's answers will give you some idea about how dedicated the business is to taking care of you as a diver.
>The boat should also have appropriate safety equipment: a fire extinguisher, personal flotation devices for every person, a first aid kit, an oxygen unit, a radio and nonskid decks. The usual modifications for divers should be present as well, including an adequate platform and ladder, descent lines and well-organized gear stations with proper, secure storage. The captain should tell you where all the safety equipment is located during the boat safety briefing, which should happen before you leave the dock. This is also a time to ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the boat and its equipment.
>Remember to trust your intuition and be willing to find another operator or cancel your dive if you feel unsure or unsafe. Experienced divers may be savvy about spotting potential issues, but even novice divers can rely on common sense to tell them if something isn't right; if something feels off to you, it probably is. Any one warning sign alone may not necessarily indicate an actual problem. But any indication of a problem or combination of problems could potentially increase your risk, so it is up to you to recognize the signs and keep yourself safe.
>© Alert Diver — Q2 Spring 2019