Veteran Divers paired with Newbies

[h20baby]

I'm baffled (and it makes me nervous) to see so many dive veterans complaining about being paired up with newbies on dive trips. Now I completely understand it but I'm curious why such pairings are happening. Frankly since I typically travel alone, I want to make sure (as a newbie) I'm not paired up with someone who doesn't want to be paired up with me.

On the one dive trip I have been on (Hawaii) and the 2 trips I have planned in the future, each time I have spoken with the person in charge and reiterated that I am a newbie and only want to be paired with the divemaster. Each time I have been assured this is no problem whatsoever and that's why the DM's are there. Each DM seemed more than happy to have a newbie in tow and told me to stick close to them, pointed out lots of marine life and given me lots of tips and tricks before and after the dive. So I'm just curious why I see so many comments in forums and articles about experienced divers being paired with newbies (often called morons and idiots). Are newbies not saying they're newbies? Hell I say it as much as I can so no one forgets! Why are veteran divers agreeing to being paired with newbies in the first place?

I completely understand and respect an experienced divers desire not to be paired with a newbie. My questions are why do these pairings seem to happen so much and what can I do to make sure it doesn't happen to me (other than what I'm already doing).

I'm currently at 10 dives, actively working on my AOW (I've already taken peak buoyancy and have nitrox, navigation and deep scheduled). I constantly read articles to keep learning and practice when I can. I know I have a lot to learn and want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to be a safe diver. But I am a newbie and there is a learning curve. I've had nothing but great experiences with my instructors and veterans I've worked with so far and hopefully will be a veteran myself some day.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[RyanT]

The short answer is that most dive boats require buddy diving. So if you show up alone, you are likely to get paired with another random single diver, irrespective of their experience level. It's like anything else in life, some experienced divers will be great if their newby buddy cuts their dive short and others will by grumpy or nasty about it. You're doing the right thing by being upfront with a new buddy about your experience level. If the experienced diver elects to dive with you and then complains about it afterwards, that's their problem!

 

[savsuds]

Nobody likes being told to dive with someone they don't know/newbie or not being allowed to dive at all. Normally if I am asked, I gladly dive with anyone. I just need to be asked.

 

[doctormike]

Just one point about asking to be paired with the divemaster. If the DM is leading a group, they should not also be your buddy. If you are uncomfortable diving as part of a buddy team with someone who is not a pro, that's fine, but then you should pay for that as a guided dive. You should get your own divemaster as a buddy (at whatever cost they determine), and not expect that the person who is leading the group will also be your buddy.

You will find that some experienced divers love diving with newbies - they like to teach! You will find others grumble about it - they don't want their dives cut short, or they don't want the responsibility. But the bottom line is that if you show up on a dive boat without a buddy or a solo card, the dive operator is going to pair you with somebody, no matter how many or few dives you have. And in that situation, you very well may end up paired with someone who doesn't want to do that. Too bad for them, that's what happens if they don't bring their own buddy.

It sounds like you are doing the right thing by being up front about it!

 

[TMHeimer]

The short answer is that most dive boats require buddy diving. So if you show up alone, you are likely to get paired with another random single diver, irrespective of their experience level. It's like anything else in life, some experienced divers will be great if their newby buddy cuts their dive short and others will by grumpy or nasty about it. You're doing the right thing by being upfront with a new buddy about your experience level. If the experienced diver elects to dive with you and then complains about it afterwards, that's their problem!

Exactly. The boats I've patronized have mostly been in winter months on the N. Gulf of Mexico. That time of year you're lucky to get a boat to go out. They pretty much take who ever signs up-- thus is life--at least that time of year.

 

[boulderjohn]

A lot of times it happens because instructors or other highly certified divers slyly show only a basic OW card, thus hiding their true experience and training. They think that will keep them from being paired with a new diver. So not knowing any better, the dive operator, trying hard to keep divers of similar ability together, pairs them with new divers.

 

[RainPilot]

Hey there, congrats on the first post!

Couple of factors at play here. Firstly, like any other internet forum, the views expressed are (usually) from the noisy end of the Bell curve. Very few people will deliberately post about a routine, enjoyable dive they had with a relative "newbie" but sometimes the grouches will come out of the woodwork.

Secondly, it very much depends on the diver, the dive objectives and expectation management. For example:

1.) A very experienced diver plans to go take some photos of a specific fish so he travels 3000 miles to do so. He is on his own and gets "saddled" with an unknown buddy. This buddy is so inexperienced that the senior ends up spending most of his dive concentrating on keeping the "noob" alive and hoping he doesn't have his own problems because he doesn't trust the reactions of the buddy to effectively help him. He misses the shot and hates the dive.

2.) I go on a local fun dive off my buddies boat on a site I have dived a 1000 times before. I am an instructor so I am very used to being in the water with people who won't be able to help me (new students) and my gear and mindset reflect this. I see a diver on their own and offer to buddy up, Im just happy to putter along underwater showing him my favorite fish and spots, while keeping half an eye on him to make sure he is ok. Post dive I ask if he would like some feedback, if so I chat a little about what I noticed, recommend a tip or two to help and then on the second dive he improves a little. Everyones happy, no worries.

3.) Im a DM doing my 10 000 th dive on the same site and i am paid to be nice to customers, as well as earning tips from satisfied customers so everything is biased toward being nice and accommodating to the new diver.

In my experience, as long as you are upfront about your skill level and you have the attitude of "Im always happy to learn" then you will very rarely find yourself paired with someone who hates the thought. I really get turned off a diver who talks like they are Jacques Cousteau reincarnated while they put the tanks on backward on the BCD. believe me, I (and many others) can smell a fresh c-card from a mile off. If the newbie turns to me and says"hey, Im new at this would you mind checking Ive got the setup right?" then Im his new best friend / free instructor for the day.

Happy diving!

 

[RainPilot]

2 posts while I was typing? really? I agree totally with the above

 

[chillyinCanada]

h2obaby, if you usually travel alone, you might want to consider traveling to dive with Singledivers.com. it's not a dating club. It's for divers that don't have a regular buddy or a buddy that can't travel at the same time or has a nondiving significant other.

There are great trips every month. The benefits of traveling with this group are numerous and include things I'd never given consideration to before. Here's their website: Singledivers.com

 

[scubadada]

I mostly dive in Boynton Beach, FL, have about 600 dives there. I don't mind taking new divers, it's nice helping them become oriented to the reef and seeing them enjoy themselves. They often become self-sufficient after a couple of dives. When they are with me, they can ascend on the line and allow me to continue my dive. Best of both worlds.