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

[ReefHound]

Either that or all of you are all correct; the man is an idiot and he'll die within the second breath he draws, the instant his head is underwater ?

That's not what we believe nor is that how it usually happens. Whether it's diving or skiing or boating or whatever activity, the person who disregards the rules and/or engages in reckless behaviour *usually* gets away with it. Until one day they don't. That's what makes it so dangerous. If bad choices always met instantly with bad consequences the equation would be simple enough for anyone to understand.

It is true that certification and training offers no immunity. Accidents can happen to anyone. You can do everything right and still die. You can do everything wrong and somehow live. But I believe that if one is going to assume the inherent risk in this activity then one would be prudent to do the things that are commonly recognized to minimize those risks. Getting properly trained and certified is one of those things.

I'm not saying the son is going to teach him, much less save him on a Oh cra__! moment. What I firmly believe is that scuba diving can safely be an individual activity, a person can be responsible for him/herself (no if's or but's), can be safely learn, safely practice and safely enjoyed with out the benefit of formal training.

I agree. I am a strong proponent of self study. Some people have the discipline and judgment and skill to progressively and safely teach themselves new things. Most people do not. Not knowing for sure where the OP and his dad fall, I think it irresponsible to give him any kind of encouragement to do what he is wanting to do.

 

[ScubaSteve]

......Not knowing for sure where the OP and his dad fall, I think it irresponsible to give him any kind of encouragement to do what he is wanting to do.

Although many will disagree and state that they are only stating things and are not encouraging any actions, I think this is well put and very well placed. In here, we can say anything we want (within TOS of course), but as possible mentors to those new divers (or experienced divers) with questions, we need to state fact (or clearly identified opinion) and ensure the dangers of one's proposition (in this case a new diver taking an uncertified diver diving) are clear. I think it is safe to say, that although anything can happen (good or bad) to anybody, it is a bad idea for an individual to go out of their way to tempt fate the way that this OP would be doing if he followed though with what he asked about. We can say what we want, but I believe our first responsibility (as people who choose to "help people on this board" by offering answers and advice) should be to the person's safety, then immediately after that is their "education". I see every question asked here that gets answered as a person trying to clarify or extend their education. Thus, we who choose to answer, are the educators. Just one SB's opinion.

 

[Hoomi]

Hey; I saw a television program about a savant that played beautiful classical piano from the first moment he sat at the keyboard, without ever having a lesson in his life.

Schedule my Carnegie Hall recital; if he can do it, then why can't I? [/rhetorical mode]

My dad is on hospice. He will never be able to dive with me. At this point, he can't even get out of bed, and barely has the strength to speak. Even knowing that he is unlikely to live until his 71st birthday in two months, if by some odd miracle he was able to get up and go to the ocean with me, I still wouldn't bet what little life he has left on him being a scuba savant.

 

[Splitlip]

Ok, so I'll say it again.
The OP says he just recieved his cert. We must presume it was with a bad instructor, right? So I infer from your post that it is ok for him and his dad to stumble around at some unnamed place with SCUBA.
I don't recall that the OP had any special "knowledge of being in the water" other than his certification by what we must assume is a bad instructor.

I would hazard a guess that a even a bad instructor has more knowledge in this respect than the OP. __________________Quote Splitlip

I do not agree that we must assume op had a bad instructor! It is impossible to get every point across to every student in any class. As I remember it, everyone in my classes had already committed to the training and my instructor didn't need to tell us we needed to be trained nor do I remember anyone saying we couldn't dive with uncertified divers.

The instructors impart knowledge following the lesson plan to the best of their ability knowing some of it will be forgotten & misunderstood. We can not and should not judge the instructor (or the op) by one post from a past student.

If this is a test.. a few of us failed it.

I would rather encourage new and even experienced divers to ask questions. The old saying is true... there are no stupid questions only stupid answers! The goal of this forum is to help people make choices based on facts and experiences of people who want to share their passion for diving and help others enjoy safe diving.

You misunderstand my point. Sarcasm. Ana, Psychocabbage and others implied and stated that training does not come into play here as so many instructrors provide inadequate training.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Thanks for clearing that up splitlip.:blinking:

 

[TMHeimer]

I wouldn't (in most cases). But there are some people who were diving since diving began (pretty old now) and never bothered to get certified when all of that started. I'd perhaps go with someone like that after having talked with him a lot. He may be safer to be with that many current certified divers. It would be a rare case to find one like that now, though (alive?).

 

[psychocabbage]

TMHeimer, why are you ressurecting threads? Are you that bored?

 

[Mariozi]

Yes you can!!! But not now... Just take your time, and become a divemaster, or instructor or someone with the required certification to provide Scuba Experience dives in your agency!!!