We’ve all been there: getting ready to gear up for a great dive, all your kit is neatly packed and in your space, and there’s comes the newbie scrambling and tripping over people’s gear, standing in the way and being a nuisance! Well, no one wants to be that person so here are some quick tips for proper dive boat etiquette.

1. Obey your crew. From the captain to the deckhands, always listen to your crewmates and give them a hand if need be. Remember, they’re there for your safety and to maximize your enjoyment, not to enforce pirate rules! Be courteous, kind, and tip your divemasters well.

2. Try to stay out of the way. Consolidation on the boat is key. Keep your gear in your designated space, utilize the area underneath your seat for stowing, and do your best not to scatter gear all over the boat. It makes it easy to lose less gear, and you also don’t want to trip your dive buddies!

3. Be vigilant with exits and entrances. Getting off the boat, don’t stand too close behind or in front of your buddy. Rogue waves are all too common, and falling down (and ontop of someone!) with 45 pounds of gear on does not make for a fun afternoon. Also, when you are getting back on the boat, STAY CLEAR OF THE LADDER. All too often you can find divers queuing up in the water to exit, but if someone falls off you do NOT want to take an aluminum cylinder to the head.

What are your dive boat tips?