Can I dive with a buddy who isn't certified?

[gmaguitar01]

I live near a dive park and I was NAUI certified this summer as a Basic Diver. My father has always wanted to go SCUBA diving but never has and he just doesn't have the time to take classes. Is there anyway he can obtain a passport or go diving as my buddy without him getting certified?

 

[ucfdiver]

There are no scuba police. Use your best judgment and make a decision that you can live with if something goes wrong.

I could give you my opinion on this, but it's not my safety that's at risk, so my opinion really isn't worth much. Do you feel OK relying on an uncertified diver as your dive buddy?

 

[Bottomfeeder Brodie]

Thats just crazy

 

[8thElementDiver]

This question certainly reflects badly on your dive instructor. Your instructor should have regaled you with numerous reasons why *everyone* who dives needs to be certified.

Without certification your dad won't be able to rent gear that fits him properly. Not to mention that apparently you believe that you can take on the role of instructor and teach him everything he needs to know about diving. Your instructor really must have sucked, for you to believe you could do just as good a job.

Bottom line: I've heard of one person who dove without being certified (a young soldier on leave who felt he was tough enough and smart enough to dive without training); after his buddy rocketed to the surface in a panic, some nearby advanced divers found him unconscious in 40 feet of water (he had run out of air); they brought him to the surface and actually managed to revive him. Your dad might not end up being so lucky.

 

[JBRES1]

You can do anything you want, but its not smart to take a non diver diving.
You are a new diver yourself, and most likely are not prepaired ot trained to handle any problems that may come up.
Most likely nothing bad would happen, but what if something did ?
If you want to take your dad diving with you find a shop that will offer your dad a discovery dive.
Jim Breslin

 

[dwaters]

wow...why even ask unless you like to get beat up???

1) as already asked... Are you that good (or that...), that you don't need a reliable dive buddy?
2) you want to risk your Dad's life and pain if anything even small happened?

Why not get him involved in a Intro. type class and join him? Then the liability is on the instructor, not you... and you both can enjoy that bonding time with less stress?

Dive safe and enjoy!!!!!

 

[cavediver08]

If you can live with what could happen, do as you wish. As it was stated as above, there is no scuba police... But I think it is in your best interest to think long and hard about it, obviously you doubt yourself because you posted a question to ask others. IMHO I would never do it.

-Tony

 

[almitywife]

wow...why even ask unless you like to get beat up???.....

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

dear divers,

please remember that this is in Basic Scuba and according to our new & friendlier forum rules "This forum has special rules. This forum is intended to be a very friendly, "flame free zone" where divers of any skill level may ask questions about basic scuba topics without fear of being accosted. Please show respect and courtesy at all times. Remember that the inquirer is looking for answers that they can understand. This is a learning zone and consequently, any off-topic or overly harsh responses will be removed."

although opinions vary widely on a number of topics, lets use this forum to mentor and educate new divers to better, different & safe diving practises

many thanks

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[Bottomfeeder Brodie]

and my opinion is that its crazy

 

[Teamcasa]

Think back about what you learned in class. The dangers were explained and you were presumably trained on how to handle basic emergencies. You also had a trained instructor with you. Like others have said, there are no scuba police but you already knew that as well.

Bottom line is it is a very dangerous endeavor, both for you, an inexperienced diver and more importantly, dangerous for your father. Why not just hire an instructor for the day, have the instructor give him and intro or discover dive and you can just join them.