Charter boats and a dive buddy

[drm]

I've been on a number of charters over the years by myself. Almost every time the dive master/boat captain has required me to buddy up with someone else on the boat. For the record, most of these times have been on shallow water reef or wreck dives (nothing technical).

Every time this has happened, it has not worked out well. I've had problems with air consumption, almost running out of air, and other problems. Several times, I told the buddy that I'd enter the water with him, but then we were on our own and I would just do a solo dive.

How many of you have had this problem and what have you done about it. Buddying up with a complete stranger (in my opinion) can be more dangerous than doing the dive solo.

What do you think?

Dave
www.divingindepth.com

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

A little converstation between new dive buddies is always important, there are some things you should discuss.

Are you running out of air with strange buddies? Why would that be?

 

[RonFrank]

Every time this has happened, it has not worked out well. I've had problems with air consumption, almost running out of air, and other problems.

How many of you have had this problem and what have you done about it. Buddying up with a complete stranger (in my opinion) can be more dangerous than doing the dive solo.

What do you think?

Dave
www.divingindepth.com

I think that if you were running out of air, than it would be more of an issue for the your buddy as you have potentially ended their dive early.

I was buddied up with a couple in the Keys on two dives. They could not extend a 35fsw dive beyond 45 minutes which was rather frustrating as I was coming up with 1500psi.

Later during the same week my cuz (who joined us in the Keys) and I were asked to take a buddy (newbie) with us by the DM. We did so for one dive, and it was a problem. The guy did not stick to the plan, but rather hung vertical 10 feet above us drifting AWAY from our Dive Site, and out over the sand. Basically this ruined our dive to a large extent.

I'm sure there are good situations to be had. But getting buddied up with a stranger can be a problem. When I plan my next trip, I'll try my best to find local SB divers to join. I dove with a number of SB *strangers* when last in FL, and had a great experience on every dive with them, so strangers are not the issue, but rather people who randomly show up on a boat who may have very little interest in being a good diver, and just rent gear, and go out on their annual vacation.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

My husband and I were buddied with the only other diver on the boat at Looe Key. Watching him having trouble putting his gear together tipped us off to the fact that it had been a while since he had been in the water. We had a nice conversation with him and were able to refresh his scuba memory before the DM came to give the briefing. He was a little panicky when we hit the water as well as a little light so we helped him get stable to take the extra lead the DM was handing him. Rushing him or acting impatient would have made the dive pure agony for all involved. We took our time and let him get his composure then we started a very slow easy dive. His air consumption was higher than ours and I believe he encountered an equipment problem (bad leak in rental reg) so we ended up taking him back to the boat and finishing our dive. The DM had a different reg for him and the second dive was great. The guy had good skills he was just rusty and our patience with the pre-dive talk and the first dive really paid off. Naturally this only works with someone who is willing to listen and put your advice into practice. Diving with a complete stranger can be a challenge and it requires a lot of pre-dive communication but it can also be very rewarding.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[String]

Due to being the only diver in the family i often turn up alone to charter boats when abroad. Generally ive had no issues with the buddys provided although a few i wouldnt trust as well as others.
Some charters will allow solo diving for someone suitably equipped, some wont.

In either case id suggest being fully self sufficient so you arent relying on a stranger.

 

[timle]

I think that if you were running out of air, than it would be more of an issue for the your buddy as you have potentially ended their dive early.

I'm a fairly new diver and as such my SAC isn't a good as other divers I have encountered. I don't think its very fair of you to buddy up with someone and be frustrated they used more air than you did.

I try to work on my breathing and I believe its improving but its not encouraging to dive with someone and have them be frustrated - especially since they already were buddied up with each other and you joined in.

I'm a regular SBer but I'm new and I bet you would have the same frustrations with me as a 45 minute dive in the 35-50 range is pretty normal for me with all of 17 or so dives under my belt.

I guess I'm just saying if you are willing to go onto a boat buddy-less, you have to be prepared to have buddies of varying skills and experience level. As for me I usually dive with my girlfriend - who breathes better than I do but I did team up with another group when she was sea sick - I had the highest air consumption rate but they were very encouraging before and after the dive.

 

[JohnW]

Several times, I told the buddy that I'd enter the water with him, but then we were on our own and I would just do a solo dive.

This could be dangerous for a newbie that should not be solo diving, I think it would be better just to tell the DM that you prefer not to dive with that individual and to pair him/her up with someone else.

 

[RadRob]

Several times, I told the buddy that I'd enter the water with him, but then we were on our own and I would just do a solo dive.

Most charters will warn you once about not staying with your buddy, but I was told to sit the next dive out because I didn't come up with my buddy. Not sure what charters you go on, but if you have one that you use and they don't mind this, let me know. I would rather go solo than dive with someone I don't know well. Their interests and style may be different than mine, so that causes tension. I don't know how well they dive, so I am constantly watching their every move in case they have trouble. That makes my dive sort of a bummer. I want to dive and see things at my own pace, in my own time, in my own way. I don't like having to baby-sit or follow in someone's cloud when they stir up sediment. The only persuasion I can think of is to get a solo cert and show the operation you are trained to dive buddy-less.

I can definitely feel your pain.

 

[oly5050user]

This could be dangerous for a newbie that should not be solo diving, I think it would be better just to tell the DM that you prefer not to dive with that individual and to pair him/her up with someone else.

my feeling exactly..tell the dm to dive with that person him/her self..better way for them to get a tip from the newbie..you paid to dive and should not be imposed on unwillingly..

 

[del_mo]

Not long ago I was the newbie (along with my wife) that had a very experienced diver buddy up with us. It was the first (and only) aborted dive I've had. Had we had a full conversation beforehand about a dive plan, etc., things certainly would have been better. In the future anytime I am buddied up with someone I don't know, I won't hesitate to have a full discussion about the dive plan and the consequences should the dive plan fall apart. I have no doubt it might seem ackward getting into details, but if you don't you risk having a bad (or dangerous) experience.