Kharon
Contributor
My solution is to go to places where there is lot's of shore diving and dive solo. It's a bit harder to get reasonable accomodations because most places are double occupancy, but it can be done.
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...I totally get what you are saying - and so that I am not misunderstood - Let me just repeat that I have no problem diving with a buddy that is less experienced, or even fresh out of their OW cert. I am happy to help a fellow diver. I have very often assisted others on the boat with getting their gear set up correctly, given advice on proper weighting, explained to them how to check their buoyancy, discussed dive plans, kept an extra-watchful eye on them if I think they needed it, taken some of their weight off them on the bottom if they were still over-weighted, even once had to grab a guys leg to keep him down as he began to uncontrollably ascend. I am sure that many of the fellow SB members do the same on their dive trips.
The point of my original post is that there have been times when there are maybe 8 people on the boat (including myself), and 6 are already partnered up. There is only 1 other person (plus myself) that have no buddy. So naturally that lone diver is the one I am most probably going to be partnered up with, unless I want to tag along as a threesome. There have been times where that lone diver is a fantastic buddy! But there have also been just as many times when he really doesn't belong in the water. We are certified so that we have the basic skills needed for good / safe diving. I am sometimes shocked that some divers got their C-card and yet lack or are unfamiliar with these skills.
My assumption: You plan on spending big money to go and dive some exotic site and want some assurance that you get your money's worth by diving with a competent diver right?
As a diver that has also spent real money on trips with my diver wife, we also want the same but as a videographer/photographer my dive plan varies greatly from the norm. At those exotic sites where having a DM was mandatory (I try to avoid them as much as possible) I simply budget a few extra dollars for a private DM to accompany us on the dives. The DM is given very clear instructions to allow me to set the pace (as I stop frequently and for long periods) and not to go zooming around trying to show me the places and critters he/she believes I'd like.
Bottom line, hire a buddy and hope the vis is outstanding! You will rarely be disappointed.
One question your post made me think of, though... are these divers *asking* you for your help with weighting, gear setup, buoyancy, etc? I only ask, bc with 25-50 dives, *most* divers level of expertise might not be quite at the mentoring level, and advice - no matter how well-meant - might not be well-received. In general, I try to refrain from giving advice - unless it's specifically asked for, or there is a significant safety concern. Which meant, I needed to just stop diving, on the above-referenced Bahamas trip. I *wanted* to give a lot of advice but refrained. First of all, it wasn't any of my business, and even if everyone that day suddenly became perfect divers it wasn't going to make a difference long-term... more importantly, any advice I would have given would have either irritated/confused/embarrassed/fallen on deaf ears.
I have a blog on "instabuddies" and include a few exerpts here for your further review:
When I have to dive with a "stranger," I pair up as early as possible, and talk to them. I ask about their last trip, their last dive, how long they have been diving. I look at their gear (brand new, rental, seasoned but well maintained, crappy, etc.) I tell them a little about me in the same areas. I ask if they have any objective for the dive ( want to go 100 feet, see a shark, find an eel, take pictures, etc.) It can all be a very friendly conversation. Within a few minutes we are not strangers. I then... work the conversation into a meaningful planned dive, with buddy check, orientation to each other's equipment, air use expectation and etc..... I have never had anyone object to the talk, and it leads to good planning, and good buddy habits in the water. Just be postitive, be nice, and be interested in learning about the other person. If there is a repetitive dive, let them know any changes you'd like, again in a positive manner- such as the roaming buddy issue. Say "that was a great dive, but I was a little tense when you took off after that ray. I'm more comfortable if we stay closer together as a buddy team. Is that ok with you? Just be pleasant and positive. ....
I really think if you take a positive approach you will have a better time. And you might find that your instabuddy can be alright if you communicate plan, and have a decent attitude.
DivemasterDennis
Thats where scouting out the boat and finding the guy travelling alone with his UW camera and making sure you buddy up with him before the DM assign you a buddy is a great thing to doYeah, good point. Maybe it's worth spending the extra cash on a private DM after all. There have been times when i want to explore a spot more thoroughly but the dive guide seems to be in a race to cover as much ground as possible - LOL. I will look into it on my next dive trip.
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Seems to do that (assumptions) quite a lot.
Come down off your soap-box. Many of your answers to my question were irrelevant and inaccurate because you actually didn't answer my question.
So i guess the next time you get buddied up with an incompetent diver, make sure you blame yourself for their incompetence- not them. It is obviously your fault. You are obviously a poor buddy. That's the summary of your ridiculous response to my post.
I'll keep that in mind the next time i have a buddy that cant maintain buoyancy and tags along 25 feet above me on my next dive. Maybe i should tie a string to him like he is a kite? This way i can reel him in when he begins drifting to the surface. Maybe i should discuss proper weighting in detail before we descend? Then hold on to his power inflator and deflate/inflate his BCD for him? Blow air into his mask to equalize it? Signal him as to when he should equalize his ears? Check his console for him? Tie rope to his fins so i can maneuver him like a puppet - so i can make sure he doesn't land on the reef or stir up silt?
No- i'm pretty sure that is HIS job. He is a CERTIFIED diver. He is supposed to he competent on his own. You dive with a buddy for safety purposes. Not to have your hand held.
Enough said......