| There seem to be several categories of dive buddy. See
where you find yourself and see where you would like to be.
One of the categories is the: Just met the person on the
dive boat and the Divemaster paired us up. I have a real
problem with this deal. Not only don’t you know anything
about the person’s skill level and abilities, but you don’t
have any signals worked out, you don’t have a clue when the
last time they REALY did a dive like the one you are just
about to do. This situation sometimes sets me to wondering,
what was the condition of their last buddy after their last
dive. Hum? Dive operators just have to hook you up with
somebody. They cannot let you dive alone and this, I feel
has problems. One way to solve this might be diplomatically
suggest that you and the Divemaster and the mystery guest
dive as a group of three. Be proactive, scope out ahead of
time who at least appears to be good fit as a buddy for that
dive. Exchange a few words and see what your comfort level
with them is. Another way is to duck and hide when they are
grouping people. Size up the deal and move fast or else
you’re in for it.
To some degree, you will always have to dive someone
else’s dive. It depends on a lot of things but you will wind
up with their profile or vice versa. All this by the way, is
assuming that the person you are paired with is cooperative.
THEY may be the one insisting on exceeding you’re comfort or
training levels. Bad, bad, bad, never allow yourself to be
bullied. This is one of the many plusses to diving in a club
setting like ours. We know each other, in and out of the
water. We have confidence in one another if not from
association, from observation. The worst case is that you
pair up with someone new to you, from the club, that day,
Take the time to sort things out before the dive. New friend
made, done deal, everybody’s happy.
Now for something a bit more sensitive: I feel it is
dangerous to let your dive partner become to dependant on
you. Equally dangerous is becoming dependant on you partner.
You are not being kind, nor are you showing love and care,
if you do not allow your dive buddy to be completely self
sufficient. Correction, INSIST that they become self
sufficient. The best rescue is a self rescue. It is possible
that through habit and experience, one or the other becomes
stronger or more self confident, leaving the other even more
dependent. Granted, this applies mostly to those who dive as
a team most often, but also applies to someone you are
temporarily diving with. It is better for them; they will
become more confident and therefore more relaxed, and better
for you, as they will be better able to assist you if
needed.
Both members of the team MUST be able to navigate,
monitor air and bottom time, and send and receive signals
either by hand, slate, or other means. They HAVE GOT TO be
familiar with your alternate air and vice versa. (A little
tip for watching you air pressure, gauges: If you normally
dive with the same person, you normally dive in the same
relative position to them: He or she on the right or left
slightly ahead or behind, whatever. Try positioning you
console in such a way that when you are not checking your
own levels, it rests tilted slightly towards your buddy. In
this way you can check at a glance each others remaining
air. You will find that with a little trial and error, it is
easy to spot the green, yellow and red bands and the black
needle from some distance)
If you are using an AIR2, or anything other than the
standard octo set up, you need to point this out. Some
divers don’t know how it works. Always have your secondary
reg identified with a yellow hose or wrap.
Exchange rolls from time to time. Let your buddy lead.
Allow them to decide the profile, direction, etc. Allow them
to navigate. Allow them to set the pace. Allow them to learn
by making mistakes! Not life threatening of course.
If you are the member of the team that usually follows, take
the initiative, speak up, and make it known that you would
like to lead the dive. If your buddy is not willing, find
another one (Or talk it through later prior to divorce
court). You both benefit.
How to be a great Dive Buddy:
When boat diving, it is likely that you will be diving
without the direct supervision of either Divemaster or
Instructor. Weather you buddy up with a stranger or bring
your own dive buddy, try these simple guidelines for a
trouble free partnership.
Define a Comfort Zone. Max depth, time, activity level
and water conditions should be within the comfort zone of
the lesser on the divers, even though a more experienced of
fit buddy may be restricted by them.
Select Compatible Activities. Planned buddy activities do
not need to be identical, but they should be complimentary.
Sightseeing or photography go well together, close up
photography and spear fishing do not.
Build Cooperation. Avoid the leader-follower syndrome.
Share responsibilities and duties so that each diver can
take on aspects of both leader and follower
Plan Together. Every dive plan should include the dive’s
purpose and activities, direction and route, cutoffs for
depth, time, air consumption, AND how to change the plan.
Limit the group. Buddy groups can include up to four
divers, no more. Threesomes, foursomes are safe and
effective if each buddy fulfills his/her responsibilities to
the others.
Check and Double Check. In addition to pre-dive buddy
checks, you should also share your experiences after diving
and observe each other for difficulties.
Learn to communicate. Regardless of what form of
underwater communication you use, hand signals, slates,
underwater voice units, the key is to agree beforehand which
you will use and how.
Stay Together. The keys to staying together are to dive
side by side, stay on the same side as much as possible,
head in an agreed upon direction and stay aware of each
other.
Monitor Air Consumption. No two divers use air at exactly
the same rate. End the dive based on the air supply of the
person with the least air.
Basic, Simple but Effective
“A Buddy you cannot touch is not your buddy”
Thanks and Good Diving
Todd |
