Boat Diving by Myself?

[ucladiver]

I am going down to San Diego this weekend with my family of Non-divers and I want do some diving. I signed up for a half-day boat trip out to Los Coronados but I won't have my regular buddy to dive with. I asked the guy who took my reservation and he said that its done all the time and they can find me a buddy. Anyone done this before? problems?

If anyone's interested I'm on the Blue Escape AM Coronados 2-tank dive this Sunday. We can buddy up if you want.

 

[Scubaroo]

I dived the Blue Escape last week - there were three single divers counting myself. One experienced diver dived solo, the other tagged along with myself and my instructor on my wreck course for two dives, and was paired with me and a DM for a kelp dive.

It's a nice boat. Keep an eye out for lobsters (not that lobster season is open yet) - but I saw about FIFTY (no exaggeration) on a kelp dive. I've never seen them before while diving - the sheer number of them was mind boggling. They obviously have yet to experience divers trying to catch them - they were wandering all over the bottom, hiding out under ledges, on rocks, everywhere, making little or no attempt at concealment. I'm betting once the season opens they'll be a lot harder to find. Also saw a bat ray which was pretty cool, and a live cowrie, which I thought were a tropical shell.

 

[chepar]

is my M.O., unfortunately. I don't have a regular buddy, and to do any diving on a fairly regular basis, I am buddied up with other "solo" people that go on the boat trips.

No major problems with this so far, although you are diving with someone that you've known for a grand total of 20 minutes and even though you do "the talk" before the dive, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't do something unexpected or freaky underwater.

Most times people show up with their own buddy/friend/partner and for lack of someone to pair me with, I am buddied up with the DM, which I prefer anyway.

 

[srkdvr]

I have gone on the boats here that my LDS has and have always been buddied up with a diver. I normally chat with them and find out what kind of divers and training they have and go from there. I do not see you having any problems at all.


Rich :mean:

 

[Aquamaniac]

Done it many times, Met some losers, met some GREAT people,
All you need to do dive to your Buddies level, not your own.
If hes an idiot, stick close to others, and keep the plan simple. If he's a Knowledgable Die Hard Hoggy, Follow his Lead.!!

 

[hitomi316]

has the best answer!! i'm glad i have a "steady" buddy!

 

[ucladiver]

Thanks for the response everyone. My biggest fear is getting a buddy who is a complete mismatch for me. I dont want hold someone more experienced back or vice versa. I have gone diving with people with really really poor air consumption and its no fun. I can deal with it from a beach but I think after shelling out the cost of a boat I would come back disapointed if I had to surface with 1700-2000 PSI left in my tank! (I also fully recognize that I could be the one holding someone else back).

I'm sure it will work out fine, thanks for the help.

 

[Scubaroo]

I hear ya on the air consumption issue. I paid extra for 120cf nitrox tanks, and ended up diving with a guy who was diving 80cf air tanks. I was surfacing with around 2500psi of nitrox at the end of each dive. Ask before you get on the boat about buddies and what they're diving before you shell out for larger tanks or nitrox.

 

[kelpmermaid]

to visit Mom, and it all worked out well. I wondered if it was rude to ask other people about their experience level or how long since their last dive, but it isn't. In fact, while I was working up to it, they asked me.

 

[chepar]

ucladiver once bubbled...
My biggest fear is getting a buddy who is a complete mismatch for me. I dont want hold someone more experienced back or vice versa. I have gone diving with people with really really poor air consumption and its no fun. I can deal with it from a beach but I think after shelling out the cost of a boat I would come back disapointed if I had to surface with 1700-2000 PSI left in my tank! (I also fully recognize that I could be the one holding someone else back).

Actually, I am facing this situation this coming weekend, with an added twist. Usually I go with regular boat charters, the non-club type. I have never had to search and interview for a buddy on these trips, as they will do it for me, based on the information they get from everyone when they make their reservations.

This weekend I'm going out with a dive club I just joined, this will be my first outing with them. I'm feeling a little apprehension - you know, the newbie with little to no experience, having to find a dive buddy from the existing club members - not wanting to be foisted upon a more experienced diver that I will just be holding back.

While I don't think it will be a big deal at all, and everyone I've ever met diving is friendly and helpful - there's just that "new kid on the block" feeling of wanting to fit in without being a total moron.