Bad Buddy Stories

[Kunk35]

My dive buddy that I was certified with back in September just got back from a couple of days diving in Grand Cayman. He told me how his dives went, and I gotta tell ya, I'm a little concerned about my upcoming trip to the Bahamas in Feb. I won't be taking anybody with me on the dives that I know, and I'm afraid I will be posting some bad buddy stories upon my return as well.

He said they all pretty much went in at the same time, and since it was his first time in the ocean, he didn't have the weight he needed. By the time he added weight, everyone, including the dive master, was already on their way down. They leave no body topside, so the boat was empty. Is that common by the way??

Anyway, he starts down, and discovers everyone has left him. No dive buddy, no dive master, just him and his inexperience. He says he was terrified. Now, at that point, I'm not sure what I would do. If I'm truely scared and uncomfortable, I might have scrubbed the dive, but who knows. I may be thinking of the money it took to get down there, and the fact that I didn't want to waste bluewater time.

At this point, I'm asking him where in the world his dive buddy was. He told me that he got stuck with some guy with alot more experience, that was cocky and didn't want much to do with a dive buddy. So by the time he got in, poof, he was gone. I'm thinking I would have told him after the dive that if he did that to me again, I was gonna pull his hose on the next dive. But again, I may not say anything. I mean, here I am, first time on a dive boat, first time in the ocean, who am I to start griping at the experienced guys?

He said after he descended, he calmed down and got his breathing under control and tried to enjoy the rest of his dive. The other dives later that day and the next were much better, but in a sense, he was diving solo. He even had trouble with his computer, but without the experience to know what was going on with it, he finished out the dive.

What kills me about this is, we go through the training and it is drilled into our heads to use the buddy system. Then, he goes out on this boat, and all that is thrown overboard and a new system takes it's place. How common is this, and, how do I deal with it if it happens to me in Nassau??

Thoughts??

 

[ams511]

I have dove off many boats in Florida and Hawaii and never seen the boat left empty. Where was the captain? When diving off boats in popular vacation spots you never know what kind of buddy you will get. I had both good buddies and bad. It may be wise to talk to some of the divers on way to the site and try to judge there attitude. It is imprecise but better than nothing. Also you may want to ask some peoples opinions here on good dive operators in the location where you are going.

 

[melissassm]

That would be pretty scary....

 

[divebutt]

Been there, seen stuff like that.

First, pick the right operation. Go on the PADI site and find the 5-star, gold palm operations. They are typically very well run, and should prevent a lot of those problems.

When you get paired up on the boat, talk to your new buddy. If they seem ok, go ahead and dive with them. If something about them seems a little weird, as in cockyness, and so forth, talk to the DM privatley. See if he/she can buddy you up with someone better. Or, if you're the only inexperienced guy on the boat, see if you can buddy up with the DM.

Another idea, atleast for your first couple dives, is to get on the boat where they do the discover SCUBAs. A couple shallow, easy dives to get your weight and so forth under control.

If all else fails, don't be afraid to call a dive. We all have before at one time or another.

If you need advice on where to go, ask around here. There will be atealse one person who has been there before.

Happy diving!

 

[Cacia]

If I'm truely scared and uncomfortable, I might have scrubbed the dive, but who knows. I may be thinking of the money it took to get down there, and the fact that I didn't want to waste bluewater time.

This stuff happens all over the world. What I do, in this situation is dive under the boat....think in terms of what you can do to be safe.

This is why I don't like counting on random people for my safety.

If it was a drift...(it wasn't..nobody on the boat) then I would blow by marker and continue...we are all moving the same direction, the captain should be following you..how can he not if you have a marker? Get to know your captains too many people do not even talk to them...in many cases they are more important that the dive guide. Sounds like your was in the water which makes me think it was probably an easy site...just stay under the boat if you cannot find anybody

The SOLO dilemma comes up if you are a traveling diver, best to confront it head on and realize the questions not only include "should I abort?" but... ask "How can I do this dive safely" For me...shooting pictures near the boat would be my plan...but I would not take off solo in a new environment. And always have a marker.

Many will think this is bad advice, but it is how I approach a situation like this as opposed to "either /OR". okay..I am here, now how can I assure that I don't have a big problem?

 

[pacchill]

No offense, but that sounds like it was just as much your friends fault as it was the dive operator. We ALL have to be responsible for buddy awareness, and knowing our gear. It really sucks he had this kind of experience, but why did he not think ahead and work out his weight issues before hand? It seems to me that would have prevented all the problems.
You shouldn’t be worried about diving, just learn from this. Prepare yourself. Have your kit ready to go, know your regs work, your weight is right, how to operate your computer. If you have a computer and don't know how to use it, learn or take some other form of time device and depth gauge.
Have fun, Dive safe.

 

[Cacia]

yes, but many experienced divers have been bitten by the old weight not right scenario......

better not to waste time blaming yourself and focus on salvaging the dive in an acceptable way.

My point is that your options open up if you don't confine yourself to the party line, that's all.

and of course, don't be worried to call the dive...if you honestly assess that you are in danger by being alone, then get out. My own thinking is that if you were that new that you are uneasy about being alone..then a few words with the dive guide would go like this "hey I am a new diver just so you know, so don't leave me..."

 

[Kunk35]

How can you get your weight right if you have never been diving in the ocean? The boat leaves the dock, you arrive at the dive site, and people start entering the water.

When I get to the Bahamas, I'll try to find the time to get in the water before my dive day. I think I'm going to be there a couple of days before I'm able to go diving.

I like the suggestions of going through Padi to check out the dive operations. I'll check that out and hopefully avoid some of these issues.

Would it be advisable to rent a pony bottle? Or do they usually rent those?

 

[Cacia]

if you are a new diver---don't solo.

But, consider hiring a DM if you can afford it...it is very reasonable in most places..less than a seat upgrade.

Needing some extra support in an unknow place and IDENTIFYING that is part of the same process i am advocating.... I do it myself in challenging situations.

(and I am A DM!) get comfortable identifying risks, assessing what you need and making it happen. I can tell already..you think like that. because you are scoping it out...you are leaps ahead of the cattle already.

No pony yet...

keep it simple for now.

Personally, I think getting PADI recommendations is worthless. Think in terms of connecting with your guide on a personal level and asserting your needs and getting some assurance that they will support you where you are in your diving...

it takes some people skills to be safe, don't ever doubt that.

 

[almitywife]

......was. He told me that he got stuck with some guy with alot more experience, that was cocky and didn't want much to do with a dive buddy. So by the time he got in, poof, he was gone. I'm thinking I would have told him after the dive that if he did that to me again, I was gonna pull his hose on the next dive.....

i'll be the ugly poster... im sorry but this guy is on holidays also, this guy paid for this trip also and maybe the last thing he wanted was to babysit a newbie.... thats the DM's & guides job not a fellow paying customers job

when hubby is travelling solo, he always says hes advance OW only (though travelling next year with a rebreather and saying this is goign to be hard) because of this exact reason

im sorry your buddy had some scarey moments... that sucks too but blame the PAID dive operation and not the guy thats trying to get the best he can out of his weeks diving holiday

for your trip - TALK to your assigned buddy so you guys are on the same page, mention having a beer or a bite later on to relax and do your log books, def mention any concerns you have and have fun and come home safely

cheers