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

[Ana]

Different people learn different ways, over and over we hear even here in the board how useless are some of the instructors out there. So what good would it be for this person to get a card from any of them?

Some people learn better on their own, for sure there is enough information available about the do's and don'ts. If the person in question is already comfortable in the water, who are we to gauge the level of danger of the situation?

I realize that for some people having a mask in their face is a huge deal. It is just a geography issue: me and every one that grew up around me had mask, fins, snorkel and knew how to use them before learning to read and write. My case was not and is not unique, is just a result of growing in a coastal area. Learning to dive from that point, is a lot different than hardly knowing how to avoid drowning and from there go and learn to dive.

What boggles the mind is the fact that they come here to ask perfect strangers if it would be Ok to do this or that. Almost as intelligent as the ones that come asking if they should go to the doctor because it hurts or because they did something stupid on the dive a week ago.

 

[chris9562]

Just a personal view:

Your dad will put pressure on you just be asking you to show him the underwater world. He will not understand that it's incredibly dangerous to dive without qualification with a relatively new diver. It is up to you to be strong enough to explain to your dad that it's not safe to take him diving, and that you simply can't guarentee his or your safety underwater.

If he really wants to do it, get him to do a discover. That would be my only option.

This is just a personal view, and only you can make the choice.

Hope this helps.

 

[BelchFire]

gmaguitar01,

You've gotten a lot of comments that range from encouraging to downright insulting. SB, is a great place, and many of these comments aren't typical from my limited experience here. I for one, am glad that you thought it wise to seek some additional input.

Just as a "for example": I was certified in 1991 (along with my Dad). And I dove over 40 dives in a 3-4 year time span right after I was certified. I felt like I was a good dive with low experience and I was VERY comfortable underwater. No incidents whatsoever.

BUT, I put it all down after getting married and starting a family. I decided recently to get back into diving and see if my wife wanted to join me. Having been away from diving for over 12 years, I felt like I needed to go through a refresher course even though I was comfortable diving in the past. It's that important to have the proper training and be on top of the game.

KUDOS for asking. Good luck in getting your Dad certified; I certainly did enjoy a bunch of dives with my Dad!

 

[hvulin]

you can even dive without a buddy but you'll DIE!!!

OTOH you'll die anyway so just use your brain while deciding - cards can be bought without any practice!

 

[Sas]

I don't think you should take your dad diving without him being certified. Perhaps if he wants to try it but is time-poor, organise a 'Discover Scuba' course for him, which can be done in a day and he will get the benefit of an instructor taking care of him. As you are just certified you are stilll very new yourself and whilst the vast majority dives go off without a hitch, you might get unlucky and due to both of you being inexperienced you may not be able to handle emergencies well. I don't mean to sound harsh at all as there is nothing wrong with inexperience (I am inexperienced as well!) but it just means you are less prepared to handle problems if one of you is new and one of you is uncertified.

If he likes the 'Discover Scuba', he can then do a course, I think some agencies credit some of the work done in Discover Scuba towards OW... could be wrong about that though.

Another thing he might want to do if he wants to just try out scuba diving, is do an aquarium dive if there is one locally. I did this just after I got certified and it is a very easy dive as it is in confined shallow water and there is not a lot that can go wrong as you are heavily supervised. I know a few non-divers who have done this and loved it.

Good luck! (and ignore the haters...)

 

[thanksforallthefish]

Different people learn different ways, over and over we hear even here in the board how useless are some of the instructors out there.

I agree with you that some instructors are to put it politely not very good,

So what good would it be for this person to get a card from any of them?

Some people learn better on their own, for sure there is enough information available about the do's and don'ts. If the person in question is already comfortable in the water, who are we to gauge the level of danger of the situation?

however I'm sorry but I totally disagree with you on this ... I would if I were an uncertified diver much prefer to go diving with ANY instructor than a newly certified diver, no matter how comfortable I felt in the water.
Any instructor would be much more capable of handling any situation than a newly certified diver

Not only does a new diver lack the knowledge to deal with any problems that may occur they also lack the experience and skills.

In answer to the OP ... in my opinion it would be extremely unwise for you to take your Dad diving for the reasons stated so eloquently by the other posters.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

:cheerleader:Great that you came on here and asked your question! Some people here have given good advice and some.... well just ignore them. There are a lot of knowledgable people here. I am assuming you are asking because you really want an answer and will make your decision based on the advice here and knowledge of your Dad and your skill level which we can only speculate about.

I do think the best advice is to arrange a scuba experience with your Dad and someone qualified which will mean gear hire will be taken care of. You can share the experience by going with them. If your Dad really enjoys it he may make time to take the course in any of the ways already mentioned. If not... you will have had a safe and memorable experience with him. Maybe you will gain the knowledge and skill to teach him one day but now it a bit early in your diving history/career.

Keep safe and I hope you keep finding friendly and helpful advice from SB

 

[PR_SMITH]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

g'day divers.... again

ive gone thru this thread with a cricket bat to get it back on track and i have deleted a number of posts that was distracting to this topic. as there were so many deletes, if you are missing posts then yours is one i have deleted

once again, let me remind you the rules of Basic Scuba, "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 Basic is a friendlier forum we welcome open discussion on divng practises but i ask you to remember that newer divers come here seeking advise so lets use the opportunity to guide them to better diving without a slap down

and dont forget the power of a smilie... it can work wonders in getting your humor across

many thanks

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Exactly. This Basic Forum is intended to provide a friendly place to ask questions, whether you think they are nuts for asking or not. If there is no "safe" place for a newbie to ask questions, they are left with the trial and error method of discovering what's safe. I firmly believe that there are no stupid questions, where safety is concerned. About 10 yrs ago, I took skydiving lessons, and the instructors repeatedly emphasized that" there are no stupid questions, when it comes to safety". If you don't know the answer to a situation, then it's stupid NOT to ask.

So as a newbie myself, I'm asking to please not make others afraid to ask for fear of being shot down. Use your knowledge and experience to benefit others, not a stick to beat them with. Be a positive force of wisdom and experience.

 

[Guba]

If everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) were to go just right, you and your dad could do just fine...but in my humble opinion, the risks far outweigh the potential "good time" you might have. There are simply too many ways this could all go wrong. I don't know what kind of underwater experience your dad has, but is he prepared (and are YOU prepared) for common slips that are not only possible, but likely? Can he clear a mask without becoming disoriented or even panicked? Does he know what to do in an OOA situation? Are you willing to monitor not only your own gas but his, too? Are you absolutely SURE you two cannot become seperated (low vis, etc...)? Can he resist the urge to bolt for the surrface in an emergency? How does he know and how do YOU know? Those pool sessions in you OW water class were to establish this type of question before diving in open water.

From what you have provided in the original post, these are unanswered questions, the type of questions that need answers before anyone should recommend you two head out for a diving experience. CAN you two dive under these conditions? Sure...but as many of the posters have already said (some politely, some not), it's definitely not a good idea. It's an altogether bad one.

 

[ReefHound]

I think we've been had, folks.