A good idea for new divers

[Natasha]

This subject has come up in phone calls to me twice this week, and once last week. And several times in the past. New divers calling me telling me they want a dive trip, and they don't have a buddy.
I have to tell you what I think is the best thing to do in this case.
It is not to have the dive shop pair you with someone you do not know. And it's not for the cruise ship to pair you with someone you do not know.
The best thing to do is, buy a buddy. If you are a new diver, you can pay for an instuctor or a divemaster, which ever is available to you, and pay him or her to be your buddy.
Ok it may cost you an additional 35 or 40 dollars. Aren't you worth it? Wouldn't you lose that in a casino in about 30 minutes?
If you answer yes to either of these questions, then you know what I'm saying.
A trained DM is the best buddy you can have, IMHO. Not the DM that is leading the group. The DM that you bought for yourself to watch you and help you if you need it.
Please consider this on your next dive trip.
You're worth it!

:gorgeous:

 

[chiara]

Natasha,

I totally disagree with you.

Being buddied up on a dive trip (at home I do have a bunch of regular buddies) is part of the game, it is always a positive experience even when the dive doesn't turn up to be the best ever.

A total stranger can teach you many things, even when he's a newbie and you have hundreds of dives under your belt.

You shouldn't be forced to go on diving with him/her if AFTER the first dive you think it was a bad experience, but you to go through it nonetheless is not per se a bad thing, ever.

 

[Starfish]

I agree with getting a DM.

When I dove the ocean the first time and when I did a drift dive for the first time, I hired a private DM. Nothing like having that extra experience at your side to double check you.

My husband was with me on both these trips, so I had a trip buddy.

I would recommend divers going on trips, check with the dive operator to see if they dive as a group or not. When I went to the Keys, you needed a buddy as there was no group. In Cozumel, there were several non-buddied divers that found a dive partner within the group dive. Make sure whomever you hook up with recognizes that you want a buddy and not a "same ocean" experience.

 

[chiara]

I don't know your part of the diving community, but I know that in the Red Sea, just as an example, there is always a Dive Master, and sometimes he/she acts as the buddy to a lonely diver.

I always go to exotic diving destinations alone, so they always have to pair me up: was it always good?

No, but even when I came up in a rage it was a useful experience.

Now that I am a Dive Master myself I might be in the position of having to dive with the "unwanted", the thing is I'll be working and enjoying myself at the same time, so I hope I won't complain too much.

 

[MNScuba]

As a brand-spanking new diver (so new I'm not OW certified yet) here's my opinion:

Getting a DM sounds like a great idea, I don't see anything wrong with it and might even try it. What I did, for about the same money, was create a website for my local area. Living in Minnesota it's much harder to find people who dive, let alone dive locally. It's been a great experience and I've met some really great people this way. We've already got about 3 dives planned as a group and are always looking for new ideas from people. I know that creating a website isn't for everyone, but perhaps you could also see if there is one for your area.

PS!
Don't get me wrong, ScubaBoard is THE place to go for information on diving right now.

 

[mudguppy]

Chiara;
Having not been diving very long, I don't feel like I know a whole lot, but I am VERY picky about my buddies!
I am going diving in the Singapore area without a buddy, and have been giving a lot of thought to how to work the buddy thing, as I don't want to dive with just anyone, so my first thoughts are a dive master.
Your comments, tho, now that I think about it are so valid. There is always something to learn from everyone....and I may be the "unwanted" where I go. I have not done a dive in an ocean yet, so I am nervous and want someone VERY capable for that first time experience until I get my confidence, but at the same time, I don't think I would have to pay a dive master.

Worth some thought, because I feel I know where you are coming from. But, at the same time, if I had a bad experience on a first time in an ocean, and not want to go back, that would be bad. (I can't imagine that would happen, but you never know).

I am about to start a dive master program. It may be that I am so picky that that is my way of feeling comfortable with any situation..even the unwanted. Let me know if my lack of experience has thrown me way off.

Mudguppy

 

[MNScuba]

mudguppy,
From what it sounds like, you're not very confident in your own experiences as a diver, but yet you're starting a dive master program? This just caught me off guard. Maybe I misunderstood you, but if this is true then it really makes me wonder if gettting a Dive Master is really beneficial at all?

Does getting a DM guarantee that the person you are with is not only experienced, but also comfortable with his/her own abilities?

Does getting a DM assure you that they will make your dive a better and more enjoyable experience?

Finally, is getting a DM merely for your own psychological piece of mind?

These are just some questions I have, I'm not putting the DM title or anyone else down, it's just that mudguppy made me think of a few things.

 

[Natasha]

Everyone has valid points. You must remember where I am coming from. I'm in the business to make people happy, let them have as good of an experience, as I can, and send them on vacations.
While, not every DM may be the best person, I think a new diver, in the ocean for the first time, has a better chance hiring himself, a DM as a buddy then taking a potluck choice.
Unfortunately, I have heard many horror stories of new divers that were paired with buddies they didn't know, buddies that took off on them, and they were left very scared.
I don't think any DM, that is being paid to be a buddy, will take off on the buddy that is paying him.
Hope that cleared things up.
I never meant to start a fight.

 

[MNScuba]

Natasha,

I for one don't want you to feel as though a fight was started. You brought up a very good topic, and I think a lot of good responses have come out of it so far.

I agree that when you are paying someone for a service, they are much more likely to want to make sure you have the best experience they can offer you. I guess living so far from the ocean it's hard for me to comprehend what it must be like out there.

Take care and happy diving!

 

[O-ring]

My girlfriend was (and still is) my primary buddy and she had about 50-60 dives under her belt when I first got certified. She was a great buddy when I was beginning and I was leery about buddying with anyone other than her for a while. I would always catch myself forgetting things on those first few dives with her (especially not watching my ascent rate while looking at stuff or straying away due to buoyancy problems) and it was good to have someone I trusted with more experience along to learn from and watch out for me. These days I will buddy with just about anyone except for those couple idiots on the pier waiting for the boat talking about <insert boastful scuba crap here> (you know who I am talking about...they are on almost every boat).

I suppose if you cannot find someone you trust that you know is a decent diver you may want to hire a buddy so you don't end up with some schmuck. Alternatively, if you show up a little early and talk to the people who will be on your boat, I have found that I can weed out a passable buddy from a horrible one in a few minutes of talking to them.