⌛ Thalatta Beach Resort

I'm probably a bit foolish...but I often dive alone. Many times have been faced with the choice of not diving because the buddy cancelled out due to some emergency/problem at home, or diving with an idiot, or diving alone. I've had a couple diving problems, that have happened with a buddy present, and involved equipment failures...ie regulator free-flow, BC valve stuck 'ON' etc...and sorted them out myself on the way up...buddy still blissfully below...

My opinion has gradually changed to 'why bother'...bit of risk vs reward. I feel confident enough diving alone...been diving almost 40 years now, started with double hoses and steel tanks...but still get the lectures from the 'experts' about how naughty I'm being. LOL...I feel far safer down there than driving in Bacolod...and my co-pilot is just as unhelpful...

 

Hello Garbonzo.

I can understand you very well ,coz I have the same expereances with some buddy's and prefer to dive alone.
But when I am at the Philippines and dive with the diveguides I always dive in a group.
Sometimes a very small group and somtims alone with Rhoody , coz I am always at Atlantis, there are no better dive resorts at the Philippines as Atlantis I am sure about that.
But I prefer when I am with a group of divers to have no buddy that gives me more freedom what I need.
They know me now after visiting 11 times Atlantis hotel Sabang and 12 times Atlantis Hotel Dauin and they alow me to dive that way coz they know me.

But you must have the skill to do that , to now how and to no where .
Some dives you cant dive alone and you must dive with a good buddy and I mean a GOOD buddy.
Diving is fun and not dangerous if you know what you are doing.

Greetings J.Diver

 

I was intimately involved in 3 diving accidents during my career. In one, the guy recovered in the safety boat, in the other 2 they weren't so lucky and they aren't with us anymore. One of them was the accident on the New York in Olongapo. I was right along with the very first boys pulling the brass off of that wreck when Danny Acker lost his life inside the relic.
The divers were Navy Seals, were VERY experienced and in a physical condition like few recreational divers could come close to.

My .02 cents worth.
Diving is always dangerous. Anytime you suck your life-supporting gas from a mechanical device and put your head under water you are risking losing your @ss for good.
A low level state of paranoia is your friend while a scuba tank is on your back.

Diving is a calculated risk for fun or pay. It is never free from hazard, no matter how fun and happy it might make one feel.

 

I'm not agreeing with all what Roody tells, but I'm also aware that there are quite different opinions in divers' world. I'm a dive instructor since more than 25 years. Don't take it personal also, Roody, but I won't argue who has the one and only correct answer. Simply...experts still having different opinions. It only shows that the theory is still evolving. What is 'correct' today seems to be 'not the best' tomorrow. Happily this is not the case on all diving aspects.
I want to react to the first posting of this topic regarding the food at Thalatta:
I have been there only a few times. From that restricted 'experience' however I can say that it is fairly good. I did talk once with the chief-cook (Swiss) and he did not disappoint me afterwards with the offered food quality.

 

I was right along with the very first boys pulling the brass off of that wreck when Danny Acker lost his life inside the relic.
The divers were Navy Seals, were VERY experienced and in a physical condition like few recreational divers could come close to.



oooh another great post... I was there when xyz died... everyone were zyx-divers. . .
all of that has nothing to do with recreational diving. and if it comes down to that you have (if you look at your own posts) very obvious so much knowledge, what is a shame for a professional, like you call yourself.
there is always a risk, whatever you are doing, but that does not mean it is dangerous. Just for your safty I hope you don't have gas at home and no power and never leave the house , ride a motorbike or rent a jeepney. Becuse all of this is more dangerous in this country, then following the basic rules for recreational dinving. This rules should be followed by each diver, no matter what association or where in the world.

Garbonzo, Diver, I do agree and disagree, going alone in the water is something I don't support, BUT buddying up with somebody you don't know at all is also pointless. In our case we try to give people time to know each other. I think it is important to talk to a "buddy".
You are buddys, lets go diving is not enough.
When Diver is here, he can dive 'alone' in a group, cause even with his expierience he still follows the briefing. When he is joining my group he is never out of sight. If we dive only him and me together we stick to the basic plan, but spread out a bit. The max distance should be that far, that you can reach your buddy with your last breath. The distance also can be influenced by the visibility. At the end each Guide is a solo diver. I try to avoid to buddy up with somebody, cause it gives me not enough space to concentrate on the rest of my group and get the best out of the dives for them (that is the job of a Guide, to show the best things, NOT being a caretaker for the weak divers).
But we should never forget that we all were beginners somewhen. So buddy up once in a while with someone, share a bit of your expierience (the good ones, not ...ooohh I almost died on 50 meters on a single tank inside a wreck). Give some good advices, AMEN

cheers
Ref. Rhoody

 

Jelly, I love to argue, hehe. I am happy to hear different points, if there is knowledge behind. Good old Earl corrected me many times. The flying after diving is a point experts don't argue, cause this rules are based on the Nirtogen-saturation. (actually I am more conservative then PADI, I stick to the old 24 hour rule)
But maybe we should start a new topic about that, cause here it is off. and I know it's partially my fault:( ...

cheers

Rhoody

 

Thalatta Resort

I am living in Pampanga and went diving in Duma. I have spent a few nights there, the place is nice, the food great. Mike for Adventure diveshop on the Boulevard was taking care of the diving side of the resort. Really a good time.

 

You are right Rhoody, safety first but I was staying there and diving with a professional master diver. He has a shop on the Boulevard.

 

subseadave,

Mike is a great guy, we hangout sometimes, I always drop by when I am in town. As he is taking care of the diving in the resort, you can be sure to have some great dives.

I recommend him also on that forum before (even I work in a resort here).
It also comes down what you expect. If Divemasters are in the water 3-4 times each day, they know the divesites prpably a it better and find a bit more stuff, But thats also the reason why you may pay a bit more for the dive.
Anyway, Diving with Mike is a great choice, a great DM and a great personality.
cheers

Rhoody