What makes a good guide?

[alanf]

I was asked today If I could fill in for someone guiding. I was quite flattered that I was even considered. My immediate reaction was that I would suck as a guide and I declined, which lead me to think about what makes a good guide.

I dive a lot so I have lots of diving experience, though maybe not so many different systems. I am a bit of a grumpy git, so probably would lack patience with those less experienced or opinionated.

I think diving experience is about 30% of the package. The rest is divided up in being personable, doing great briefings, delivering decent sandwiches and making sure all the logistics are as transparent as possible and that diving passion comes over and that the client never feels processed in any way.

Any thoughts on what makes a good guide?

[Cindy]

Well, I don't know if I am considered a good guide or not but I have done it a couple times. A good guide to me is a dive buddy who can get you access into caves that are restricted or closed. They know the area, know the cave, provide information about the cave and suggestions for a dive plan. I expect the divers to be aware of their own air supply and treat them like adults, I tell them that also. I usually try to get someone else to lead as I feel it gives the divers better views and I can watch them more closely.
I have only had to turn two dives, one on the occasion a diver silted out the lower area of a cave, it was a large group and it would have been too dangerous to continue. It was kind of a unanimous decision anyway as the two closest divers actually grabbed onto me. I put their hands on the line and we all went out without problems. The second was someone who really just wasn't diving well, he kept dragging gear, he was like a yo-yo in the cave. I finally called it, it was a deep cave and he was either narced or just not ready to be there.
So, I try to keep the dive like I am just taking a friend to a new cave, I just obey the rules and try to let everyone have a good time.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I dunno... insurance.

[Taucher-Tom]

Cindy, you certainly ARE a good guide. I can tell from a number of places you took me to.

[BillBowden]

Cindy- you are an excellent guide.

"Guests" should buy the guide lunch.

[LCF]

I do a day or two of guided diving on every trip, if I can. What I want from a guide is access -- knowledge of where a good site is and how to get into it. A good briefing and stick map, and suggestions for the most interesting or beautiful lines. A description of any specific technical challenges (and since my guides have been my instructors as well, some tips for how best to negotiate them). And I always ask for feedback on the dive, to see if they saw anything I need to improve.

None of my guides have provided lunch

[Kelly Jessop]

. I usually try to get someone else to lead as I feel it gives the divers better views .

I like to do this too. Also,it is their dive,not mine,so I like to explain the options and allow them to construct the dive plan. I feel like I have done a good job if I am a dive buddy of the group,and not a baby sitter.

[Bobby]

I believe that a good guide has a lot to do with what the guided are looking to get from the dive. More on that in a minute. Local area knowledge and experience are no brainers. The ability to determine peoples comfort levels and skill without making them feel challenged or that you are questioning their abilities is also important. Staying within in ones own comfort level and abilities is also important. I feel, when guiding, that it is not hand holding yet there is an added level or responsibility to the people being guided.

There are many reasons people look for a guide. Some simply want a solid buddy that knows the systems. Others are looking to push their personal limits and want someone experienced with that type of diving (note it is personal limits not their training). Limited time to dive is common and wanting to use the guide for their knowledge to see "the good stuff". Photography and video is yet another reason. All of the reasons mentioned, along with plenty more, have a different reason for using a guide and will require their own particular approach.

I don't know if I am a good guide or not because most of the people I guide I also call my friends. For a while now I rarely guide people that I don't know. I do feel that it is important to focus on their interests above your own when guiding. If they want to spend their time poking around or hauling a ton of gear in to set up a photo that is what the guide is there for, so they can have the dive they invision. Personal limits and comfort are always number one and yes I have thumbed dives while guiding.

Bobby

[OFG-1]

I prefer sidemount seeing eye dogs.

[Attchoum]

I agree whit all of your comment and I will add that the guide should also keep a place in is head for the conservation of the cave. that mean to not bring the wrong diver in the wrong tunnel. I always ask honnestly the level of experience and confort of the people I guide. The first dive whit them, I will always bring them to a place that they will not have a negative impact if something go wrong. That doesn't mean that I bring them to a bad location, it is still amazing dive.

For exemple Alan, Taj is a very good place to start a guiding trip. Very often I let them be the leader on the circuit to city of agraa. You are probably the best guy in the area to guide Taj in term of cave knowleage