Just think of as you are setting others on the right path, to help protect your interests. The more people you get started, there will be more people out there to guide others through the initial rough spots. The people you just helped, are still new to the hobby, something more closely in common, with someone who just bought their first detector. You can talk and read all you want, but you don't start really learning, until you get out and start digging. I don't think sacrificing an hour or two, a few time during the year is going to hurt that badly. I've had months in a row, where it was almost all trash and junk, still fun, still learned, but the time could have been better spent.
We are all different, and there is no real good way to know a man's character, until you spend some time. Just like you aren't going to find any treasure, if you don't dig any holes. Not everyone you meet up with, is going to fit your standards, nor will you fit theirs. Just being new and confused, doesn't make anyone a bad person, but you do have the opportunity to make sure they start of right, when the venture out of their own yard, hitting the local parks, private properties in your area, maybe even you favorite spots. If you are swing out in the open, publicly, it's not your person spot anymore. People see you, watch you dig and dance around, when you find something nice. Will a new guy know you had to get permission from an owner? Or will just assume it's okay, because he saw you there? Would you still have permission, if the owner things you invited friends, who weren't as careful as you?
It should probably be added to the Code of Ethics, to help the novice. We all feel the burn of these beginning efforts, why let them keep repeating, every time someone new takes up the hobby? It only takes one messed up minefield park, to really strain our chances of being allowed to detect, or gain future permission. I have fun finding things, whether it has value or not. I don't think it would be fun getting blamed for somebody else's mess, or have to take the time trying to fix it up some, so as not to draw too much negative attention.
We all learn from making mistakes, we pay our dues, and try to do better next time. Part of our dues, is to help people avoid making the same mistakes we regretted most. The time you invest in a novice, is also time you are investing in yourself, and the hobby. I couldn't imagine trying to teach anyone, every fine detail, or all aspects. You there will be people, who expect that, who would call you anytime, any place, with some pretty trivial questions. I think I'd tell the to call their dealer, or the manufacturer...
