Dive Excursion Question

[TCPluto]

We sail on the Magic on Dec. 6th.

As my luck goes, I fell off a ladder and fractured my left Tibial Plateau and tore the MCL five days ago.

I have dives scheduled in Grand Cayman and Cozumel. My doctor said it's ok to make the dives, in fact it will be good therapy for my leg. With the exception of the walk to the dive boats. I can't weight bear and have to use crutches. I don't/won't have a cast, as I have to exercise the knee through the normal range of motion.

My question:

How easy (read short) is it to get to the docks/boats on the Disney excursion dives in each of these ports? Is it long walks, or is there transportation to the dive boats?

I can weight bear for short steps, he just doesn't want me to do so. The pain is more related to the MCL and not the fracture, so light, slow, straight steps cause no pain.

Thanks for the help.

 

[disny4ever]

If you can't bear weight, how will you brace yourself on the boat, plus having the additional dive weights on. I would bet the boat operators would have a problem with you showing up on crutches. That's a liability issue for them, make a call to DCL.

 

[TCPluto]

You're probably right about the liability issue. However, I can weight bear, the doctor just doesn't want me to. The only real obstacle is getting to the dive boat if it's a long walk....

 

[TCPluto]

Anyone? Anyone?

Bueller?

We have to have a DCL diver on these boards who has the answer, don't we?

 

[svslerxst]

Hi TCPluto,

I don't have any experience with the dive excursions, so can't offer any advice in that regard.

However, as a fellow certified diver (PADI AOW), I'd like to comment on your decision to continue with your dive plans.

Aside from the difficulties of managing your gear onshore and on the boat prior to the dive, how will your knee injury hold up to the stress of kicking with your fins? Especially if you run into any sort of current?

If I were partnered with you as my dive buddy (I'm a strong believer in the buddy system), I would be concerned with your ability to help me should I run into any type of trouble.

I know that I would be very disappointed in your situation if I were unable to participate, but you need to not only consider your ability to dive, but also what liability you may impose on the safety of the other divers.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, just my initial thoughts to your post.

Hope you heal well and have an enjoyable cruise!

Regards,

Dan W.

 

[TCPluto]

I agree with your concerns, however, kicking is not the problem. Kicking and the muscle action is not at issue. My doctor's only concern is the weight bearing.

He is also a diver, and suggested that the actual dive would be no problem. I agree as their is no pain and he has me doing excercises allready, to move through the range of motion.

Walking causes no pain on the knee, he just want to keep the pressure off of the plateau.

Having been a diver for 25 years, as well as a competitive athlete, I'm well aware of my abilities, even with the injury.

The only limitation I have is walking/running, or anything that would put undue pressure on the plateau.

By the time off the dives I will be 4 weeks out from the break. Since I was walking on it before seeing the doctor, I'm sure the short amount of time I will be on my feet getting in and out of the water will be no problem. gearing up will be a non issue, I'll do it sitting down, as I always do.

As the doctor said, getting to the boat is the only issue. As long as I don't have to do a firemans carry with someone, there is nothing I can't do to aid another. And I could even do that, although my doctor wouldn't be too happy.

So, anyone know how far dive boats are from the cruise dock/tender??

 

[svslerxst]

Hi TCPluto,

Fair enough. Sounds like you've properly thought it through. I hope you didn't take my comments as a personal attack, certainly not my intent.

Just bringing up the fact that diving isn't an activity to be taken lightly and that ones actions can affect more than themselves. I've unfortunately seen way too many divers that scare the heck outta of me and that I personally would never dive with.

Have a great trip and enjoy the diving!

Regards,

Dan W.

 

[hydster]

Havent done the Disney W. Carrib cruise but I do know when we have gone on Carnival and Princess that in Cozumel we got off on the ship and they were at the end of the dock once we cleared a building (duty free shops to entice you to buy more) but the dive vehicle was at the end of the dock. It was a pretty good walk however! In Grand Cayman we had to tender so the dive boat pulled right up to the boat and we hopped on!

Sorry to hear about your injury! Have a good time!
Heidi

 

[TCPluto]

Thanks for the info Heidi! That's what I was looking for. The Disney Excursion folks told me about the same thing, but didn't sound all that convincing.


No offense taken Dan. I understand your concern completely, and had considered if I would be a liability. Nothing would be more unpalatable than being a burden or danger to another diver, encroaching on their good time.

I'm on crutches only under the doc's orders;I walked around for 5 days on it before seeing him. Not that doing so was a good thing, but it didn't hurt that much!

Two other doctors have weighed in to say that the dive itself will be theraputic.


I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks again.

 

[hydster]

I'm jealous! I wish we were going that route again this year but we are going Eastern (1 more sea day ) but you should be ok especially if you "could" walk on it a little bit. The worst part is getting to and from the end of the pier at Cozumel. It was pretty long but I am sure you could probably take your crutches. When we went in Belize we went with a man who was paralyzed from the waist down and he did great surprisngly (it was sucking wind but he kicked my butt) but he used a chair and was ok!

Have a GREAT time!
Heidi