Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted

H20Sensei · 8th February 2008, 19:38

Hello all.

I'm working on a project where I need to collect feedback from travelers/divers as to what your likes/dislikes are about resort operators that you have visited in the recent past.

Please feel free to provide me with suggestions, stories of incidents and mostly things that you liked and didn't like about your selected dive operator and the resort operation.

What kind of things do you like to have available on your trips and what are the things that didn't leave a positive impact on you. These items could be non-rebreather related as well.

Please feel free to rant.

We are trying to build the perfect resort and we can only do it with feedback from you.

Thank you in advance.

silent running · 8th February 2008, 20:12

May I ask where you want to build the resort?

On my list for good CCR support:

-A booster.

-Quality sorb for sale at a reasonable price.

-BO tanks of varing sizes.

-2-3 boats of different sizes to allow even a small group to have it's own boat/schedule.

-Decent boat ladders that extend a few feet below the surface to allow one to easily get back in the boat with CCR on. I much prefer not to let anybody handle my CCR, and I especially do not like doffing the unit in the water and then handing it off with a bunch of dangling wires and hoses, to the boat guy.

-Andy

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 8th February 2008, 20:18

Good air conditioning in the rooms. Food for vegetarian and vegans that goes beyond salad or steamed, bland vegetables that the chef puts together at the last moment to appease our needs. We want real food!

Environmental protection as part of the resort's operations: recycling, water conservation, etc.

Good shade protection on the boat. A good platform. No big engine cover in the way. A spacious deck. Ways to put rebreathers on the bench seats without having to contrive a way to make them fit where standard 80 tank racks are in place. A good ladder for boarding the boat. Letting us do a single, long dive instead of the customary two shorter dives of open circuit divers.

diverreb · 8th February 2008, 20:33

What Howard said, plus lot's of crispy bacon, great steaks, fresh seafood & chicken, pork chops, and of course wi- fi service.

Richie

Brainx3 · 8th February 2008, 21:00

Hi,

I think this can be divided into several sections:

1- Good diving spots around the resort that can be interesting to different types of diving (i. e. wrecks, caverns/caves, corals, etc.) And where the visibility is acceptable all year.

2- Air quality and the availability of O2 and He for CCR and Tech divers.

3- Frequent equipment service (Many dive centers do not take this as a priority when the high season hits). People who want to rent something they want to make sure that it is safe enough to use.

4- The availability of Sorb, spare parts and general rebreathers accessories (i. e. O-rings, lubricants, tools to disassemble loops and valves, etc.)

5- Professional recommendations regarding equipments requirements, standards, and very good knowledge of the dive spots.

6- Friendly attitude toward customers with the ability to provide information and assitance for accomodation, restaurants and other points of interests in the region.

7- Fair prices for courses, dive trips, package deals, equipment rental, etc.

8- Safety measures (This actually should be the first point) this would include providing divers information regarding hyperbaric chambers available in the region and a brief explaination about local laws regarding safety and the environment.

9- Good organisation in running the business generally.

10- Good and big enough boat (Bigger and faster is better for sure).

11- Clear enough website to show clearly the diving spots and give general information about current activities.

12- Have enough storage to be able to keep equipments/CCR units at the dive center while divers are using them to dive within your center during their stay there and have a big enough dehumidifier in case the resort's location is in a tropical area (or in an area with high humidity).

I would say that is these essentials. If I'm missing any other point then I'm sure the guys will add up.

Best Regards. Wael

**Gill Envy** · 8th February 2008, 21:00

Adding to Andy's list:

-provide some way to get 3,000 psi o2 fills, trans filling from a low pressure rented tank gets old fast.
-standard valve 13-19 cf dilluent and O2 tanks.
-30+40 cf BO tanks.
-reasonably priced, smallish/fuel efficient but fast skiffs for hire by small groups of 3-6 CCR divers, allowing folks to dive without the bubblers around, like howard said, one long dive at a time is preferable to two short ones. this kind of a set up is alos good for jaunts to further away, more far flung places, if you've gone through the trouble and expense to get to paradise with a rebreather, you tend to want to visit some of the more rare spots. This way the main dive boat can be used for the larger groups, a fair distance from the silent ones who are there to see the sharks and other more shy critters.
-create provisions for extended bottom times, 2 hours works well for us.
-Don't bother trying to have staff that try to keep up with the rebreather divers unless they are on rebreathers, if folks want a DM to show them some cool stuff, better to have that happen at the beginning of the dive and then be left to explore on their own... have them sign their life away and let them do their thing. chances are, we won't expect hardly any assistance at all, less of a need for so many extra staff on the boat, helping to defray the cost of extra boat time for all.

-work out a deal with the main manufacturers to have on hand for rent an extra head, in case of electronics failure... manufacturers should be willing to swing you a deal to help save them the embarrassment and bad PR of ruined trips. Maybe the rental is between the diver and the manufacturer, leaving the diver responsible to put down a deposit on it, return the the head to the manufacturer for re-cirtification/bench testing post trip, while the manufacturer sends you a replacement. In order for more folks to venture into Rebreather's something needs to be done to reduce the vulnerability of taking them to far flung places.

-Provide extra back up 0c/CCR computers for rent (like VR3/Shearwater).

true environmental sustainability is high on my list, no greenwashing please:
-serve only sustainable fish, or no fish at all... promote reef health.
-demonstrate responsible waste management... use the best in biological waste water treatment (Nitrates are killing reefs as fast as climate change and over fishing) I've read great things about the Parana septic system. No one wants to kill the very thing they have come to admire.
-incorporate and support local culture rather than trying to cater too hard to foreign tastes, there is nothing more disappointing than a poor rendition of what you eat every day at home. good unusual local fare is preferable to me.
-catering to those willing to pay extra for a sense of adventure rather than playing in to fantasies of having every amenity. the "eco-expedition" type resort is most appealing to me and has the most long term financial viability.

If the reef is in decline, i'm not likely to return... choose a place with a healthy reef/ecosystem. Promote MPA's, get the zones enforced, keep it healthy.

just a few

thoughts,

Skipbreather · 9th February 2008, 15:42

Make arrangements w/ a local fedex/ dhl/ ups agent so that guests can securely ship their dive gear/ cameras/ CCRs/ tanks/ sorb (if needed) as insured freight ahead of time so the ever increasing airline hassle is avoided. I should be able to take my crate of treasures to my local shipper, prepay for round trip shipping, get confirmation my gear is waiting for me at resort before I leave home, travel light, enjoy visit, and leave my resealed crate at the resort to be shipped, insured, back home.

Yea, I know I’m dreaming,

,but you asked.

lizardland · 9th February 2008, 16:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by Brainx3)

6- Friendly attitude toward customers

In 14yrs of diving I've only ever dived once in a typical dive resort. After four days of diving, the attitude of the staff was enough for me to figure that with a month in Thailand there was a hell of lot of better ways to spend my time than being treated like a tit and paying for the privilege.

I can live without deck space and decent food but trying not to employ complete knobs as divemasters is high on my list of must haves. Though throwing one particularly irritating English divemaster off a moving boat certainly remedied the situation...

Decent beer in the bar is always a plus too.

silent running · 9th February 2008, 19:06

Quote: (Originally Posted by Skipbreather)

Make arrangements w/ a local fedex/ dhl/ ups agent so that guests can securely ship their dive gear/ cameras/ CCRs/ tanks/ sorb (if needed) as insured freight ahead of time so the ever increasing airline hassle is avoided. I should be able to take my crate of treasures to my local shipper, prepay for round trip shipping, get confirmation my gear is waiting for me at resort before I leave home, travel light, enjoy visit, and leave my resealed crate at the resort to be shipped, insured, back home.

Yea, I know I’m dreaming,

,but you asked.

Hi SB, yes this would be great, I'm sure lugging my CCR around the world many times hasn't been very good for my back and knees.

But it may be hard for the resort to know that the gear isn't damaged when it arrives. I've seen CCRs that were shipped in ATA aproved flight cases that were destroyed. Me, I'm not even comfortable putting my CCR in checked baggage. I think the only way to be sure your gear will arrive intact is to not let it out of your sight...

teomannaskali · 9th February 2008, 21:06

The dive center could have a dolphin that they rent out. If you gear is crapped, you can still dive with your buddies.

Free tea is usually good. For the wetsuit divers a hose on the boat that has hot water is nice. For washing after the dive and to charge the suit just before the dive...

PROPOER TOOLS IS A MUST. I have been on several boats that did not even have a screwdiver...

A bucket of fresh water for the camera etc is always a plus.

A nice washing/driying area is handy.

Emergency o2 on the boat that is not empty...

Oh and a good knowledge of CUSTOMS procedures. For some places you just cant send your stuff...

Teoman

8th February 2008, 19:38	#1 (permalink)
H20Sensei New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California, USA Posts: 17	Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted Hello all. I'm working on a project where I need to collect feedback from travelers/divers as to what your likes/dislikes are about resort operators that you have visited in the recent past. Please feel free to provide me with suggestions, stories of incidents and mostly things that you liked and didn't like about your selected dive operator and the resort operation. What kind of things do you like to have available on your trips and what are the things that didn't leave a positive impact on you. These items could be non-rebreather related as well. Please feel free to rant. We are trying to build the perfect resort and we can only do it with feedback from you. Thank you in advance.
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8th February 2008, 20:12	#2 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,836	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted May I ask where you want to build the resort? On my list for good CCR support: -A booster. -Quality sorb for sale at a reasonable price. -BO tanks of varing sizes. -2-3 boats of different sizes to allow even a small group to have it's own boat/schedule. -Decent boat ladders that extend a few feet below the surface to allow one to easily get back in the boat with CCR on. I much prefer not to let anybody handle my CCR, and I especially do not like doffing the unit in the water and then handing it off with a bunch of dangling wires and hoses, to the boat guy. -Andy
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8th February 2008, 20:18	#3 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,138	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted Good air conditioning in the rooms. Food for vegetarian and vegans that goes beyond salad or steamed, bland vegetables that the chef puts together at the last moment to appease our needs. We want real food! Environmental protection as part of the resort's operations: recycling, water conservation, etc. Good shade protection on the boat. A good platform. No big engine cover in the way. A spacious deck. Ways to put rebreathers on the bench seats without having to contrive a way to make them fit where standard 80 tank racks are in place. A good ladder for boarding the boat. Letting us do a single, long dive instead of the customary two shorter dives of open circuit divers. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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8th February 2008, 20:33	#4 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 596	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted What Howard said, plus lot's of crispy bacon, great steaks, fresh seafood & chicken, pork chops, and of course wi- fi service. Richie
(Online)

8th February 2008, 21:00	#5 (permalink)
Brainx3 Totally Submerged Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: International Waters Posts: 296	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted Hi, I think this can be divided into several sections: 1- Good diving spots around the resort that can be interesting to different types of diving (i. e. wrecks, caverns/caves, corals, etc.) And where the visibility is acceptable all year. 2- Air quality and the availability of O2 and He for CCR and Tech divers. 3- Frequent equipment service (Many dive centers do not take this as a priority when the high season hits). People who want to rent something they want to make sure that it is safe enough to use. 4- The availability of Sorb, spare parts and general rebreathers accessories (i. e. O-rings, lubricants, tools to disassemble loops and valves, etc.) 5- Professional recommendations regarding equipments requirements, standards, and very good knowledge of the dive spots. 6- Friendly attitude toward customers with the ability to provide information and assitance for accomodation, restaurants and other points of interests in the region. 7- Fair prices for courses, dive trips, package deals, equipment rental, etc. 8- Safety measures (This actually should be the first point) this would include providing divers information regarding hyperbaric chambers available in the region and a brief explaination about local laws regarding safety and the environment. 9- Good organisation in running the business generally. 10- Good and big enough boat (Bigger and faster is better for sure). 11- Clear enough website to show clearly the diving spots and give general information about current activities. 12- Have enough storage to be able to keep equipments/CCR units at the dive center while divers are using them to dive within your center during their stay there and have a big enough dehumidifier in case the resort's location is in a tropical area (or in an area with high humidity). I would say that is these essentials. If I'm missing any other point then I'm sure the guys will add up. Best Regards. Wael __________________ The depth of life cannot be measured in Bars, nor can the sea of lies, that lies within. Sooner or later I'll be cracking your market and end your game. *I don't take crap for an answer...*
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8th February 2008, 21:00	#6 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,326	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted Adding to Andy's list: -provide some way to get 3,000 psi o2 fills, trans filling from a low pressure rented tank gets old fast. -standard valve 13-19 cf dilluent and O2 tanks. -30+40 cf BO tanks. -reasonably priced, smallish/fuel efficient but fast skiffs for hire by small groups of 3-6 CCR divers, allowing folks to dive without the bubblers around, like howard said, one long dive at a time is preferable to two short ones. this kind of a set up is alos good for jaunts to further away, more far flung places, if you've gone through the trouble and expense to get to paradise with a rebreather, you tend to want to visit some of the more rare spots. This way the main dive boat can be used for the larger groups, a fair distance from the silent ones who are there to see the sharks and other more shy critters. -create provisions for extended bottom times, 2 hours works well for us. -Don't bother trying to have staff that try to keep up with the rebreather divers unless they are on rebreathers, if folks want a DM to show them some cool stuff, better to have that happen at the beginning of the dive and then be left to explore on their own... have them sign their life away and let them do their thing. chances are, we won't expect hardly any assistance at all, less of a need for so many extra staff on the boat, helping to defray the cost of extra boat time for all. -work out a deal with the main manufacturers to have on hand for rent an extra head, in case of electronics failure... manufacturers should be willing to swing you a deal to help save them the embarrassment and bad PR of ruined trips. Maybe the rental is between the diver and the manufacturer, leaving the diver responsible to put down a deposit on it, return the the head to the manufacturer for re-cirtification/bench testing post trip, while the manufacturer sends you a replacement. In order for more folks to venture into Rebreather's something needs to be done to reduce the vulnerability of taking them to far flung places. -Provide extra back up 0c/CCR computers for rent (like VR3/Shearwater). true environmental sustainability is high on my list, no greenwashing please: -serve only sustainable fish, or no fish at all... promote reef health. -demonstrate responsible waste management... use the best in biological waste water treatment (Nitrates are killing reefs as fast as climate change and over fishing) I've read great things about the Parana septic system. No one wants to kill the very thing they have come to admire. -incorporate and support local culture rather than trying to cater too hard to foreign tastes, there is nothing more disappointing than a poor rendition of what you eat every day at home. good unusual local fare is preferable to me. -catering to those willing to pay extra for a sense of adventure rather than playing in to fantasies of having every amenity. the "eco-expedition" type resort is most appealing to me and has the most long term financial viability. If the reef is in decline, i'm not likely to return... choose a place with a healthy reef/ecosystem. Promote MPA's, get the zones enforced, keep it healthy. just a few thoughts, __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°> Last edited by Gill Envy : 8th February 2008 at 21:09.
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9th February 2008, 15:42	#7 (permalink)
Skipbreather Reads the fine print Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet MK 15.X Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA Posts: 555	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted Make arrangements w/ a local fedex/ dhl/ ups agent so that guests can securely ship their dive gear/ cameras/ CCRs/ tanks/ sorb (if needed) as insured freight ahead of time so the ever increasing airline hassle is avoided. I should be able to take my crate of treasures to my local shipper, prepay for round trip shipping, get confirmation my gear is waiting for me at resort before I leave home, travel light, enjoy visit, and leave my resealed crate at the resort to be shipped, insured, back home. Yea, I know I’m dreaming, ,but you asked. __________________ "Entropy RULES! Enjoy the interim."
(Online)

9th February 2008, 16:56	#8 (permalink)
lizardland Yak Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North... Posts: 1,303	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted Quote: (Originally Posted by Brainx3) 6- Friendly attitude toward customers In 14yrs of diving I've only ever dived once in a typical dive resort. After four days of diving, the attitude of the staff was enough for me to figure that with a month in Thailand there was a hell of lot of better ways to spend my time than being treated like a tit and paying for the privilege. I can live without deck space and decent food but trying not to employ complete knobs as divemasters is high on my list of must haves. Though throwing one particularly irritating English divemaster off a moving boat certainly remedied the situation... Decent beer in the bar is always a plus too. __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk Azerbaijani Association of Technical Divers Publicity Officer and Goat Wrangler
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9th February 2008, 19:06	#9 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,836	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted Quote: (Originally Posted by Skipbreather) Make arrangements w/ a local fedex/ dhl/ ups agent so that guests can securely ship their dive gear/ cameras/ CCRs/ tanks/ sorb (if needed) as insured freight ahead of time so the ever increasing airline hassle is avoided. I should be able to take my crate of treasures to my local shipper, prepay for round trip shipping, get confirmation my gear is waiting for me at resort before I leave home, travel light, enjoy visit, and leave my resealed crate at the resort to be shipped, insured, back home. Yea, I know I’m dreaming, ,but you asked. Hi SB, yes this would be great, I'm sure lugging my CCR around the world many times hasn't been very good for my back and knees. But it may be hard for the resort to know that the gear isn't damaged when it arrives. I've seen CCRs that were shipped in ATA aproved flight cases that were destroyed. Me, I'm not even comfortable putting my CCR in checked baggage. I think the only way to be sure your gear will arrive intact is to not let it out of your sight...
(Offline)

9th February 2008, 21:06	#10 (permalink)
teomannaskali Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Home Build Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Istanbul TR Posts: 384	Re: Research for a new resort.....Feedback Wanted The dive center could have a dolphin that they rent out. If you gear is crapped, you can still dive with your buddies. Free tea is usually good. For the wetsuit divers a hose on the boat that has hot water is nice. For washing after the dive and to charge the suit just before the dive... PROPOER TOOLS IS A MUST. I have been on several boats that did not even have a screwdiver... A bucket of fresh water for the camera etc is always a plus. A nice washing/driying area is handy. Emergency o2 on the boat that is not empty... Oh and a good knowledge of CUSTOMS procedures. For some places you just cant send your stuff... Teoman Last edited by teomannaskali : 9th February 2008 at 21:08.
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