Diving In Group Of 3?

[Andy Marham]

HI all,
is it acceptable to dive as a 3 instead of just in pairs as long as the buddy system is followed? My wife and daughter have our OW and want to dive together.

thanks for any replies/advice.

 

[Reku]

It is very acceptable. I actually like diving in a pod of 3 as opposed to 4. Each person keeps track of the other 2. As long as you all stay together you'll be fine. Another positive is that if something goes wrong there are 2 people to help sort the problem instead of just your 1 buddy.

I say go for it.

 

[Trevormclay]

I've done a group of three multiple times, it takes a little more visual awareness since you can have both buddies going different directions. It helps to nominate someone the lead and the other two follow that person (rather just slightly behind or in line with the person) But i've done it about 5 times and never had a problem. We just made our safety stop whenever someone hit 600psi. In my case it was 2 random people I met on the dive boat that were my age.

Go for it definitely, nothing wrong with it and I saw the DM triple people up constantly on trips if there are odd numbers.

 

[AJ]

No problem what so ever. GUE even advocates diving with three. What I would suggest is nominating a leader and the 'weakest link'. I prefer to have the weakest diver in the middle. The leader is responsibale for navigating, the other two follow. Both the outside divers can keep an eye on the middle diver this way.

 

[Storker]

Done it several times. It's fine as long as all three are diligent in keeping track of each other. Just remember that it's a little bit more demanding to keep track of two buddies instead of one. Reckon on a higher task loading the first times and know your buddies.

Another positive is that if something goes wrong there are 2 people to help sort the problem instead of just your 1 buddy.

Agreed. If we're two I strongly prefer having a tender topside in case of emergencies. If we're three I'm not that anal about it.

 

[tbone1004]

i prefer diving in a team of 3, in open water it can get a little interesting, but in cave diving it is much preferred

 

[KenGordon]

HI all,
is it acceptable to dive as a 3 instead of just in pairs as long as the buddy system is followed? My wife and daughter have our OW and want to dive together.

thanks for any replies/advice.

You can do this but it is generally harder work, especially in less than ideal vis. While GUE, TDI and others promote a team system you have not been trained that way. If you are a new diver with relatively undeveloped situational awareness staying together may be a challenge.

On the other hand it you are put in a large group with only notional buddy pairs it may be just as bad. I think your best bet would be either to find a reliable fourth diver and form two pairs or employ a DM to take that role.

If you dive in a three do have a separation plan.

 

[tursiops]

Given you, wife, and daughter, I'd suggest taking turns on who is the "lead" so no unfortunate dependencies are developed. As lead, you can't go too slowly. Try not to turn the event into racing around to see everything. Just dawdle along and enjoy the journey. The lead needs to not just go somewhere, but to be the primary observer on where the others are, so another good reason to change off leads (from one dive to another, not during a dive) is because you may not get to se as much as lead, since you are spending a lot of time focused on the other two buddies.

 

[TMHeimer]

I've done a group of three multiple times, it takes a little more visual awareness since you can have both buddies going different directions. It helps to nominate someone the lead and the other two follow that person (rather just slightly behind or in line with the person) But i've done it about 5 times and never had a problem. We just made our safety stop whenever someone hit 600psi. In my case it was 2 random people I met on the dive boat that were my age.

Go for it definitely, nothing wrong with it and I saw the DM triple people up constantly on trips if there are odd numbers.

Agree on this formation. Also that 3 is better than 4. If 4, it may be better to have two groups of 2 and make plans accordingly.

 

[Diver0001]

I like groups of 3 as well.

In terms of buddy system there are two thoughts.

1) Put the strongest diver in the middle so they can buddy for either of the other two.

2) Put the weakest diver in the middle because they are the most likely to want/need help.

in my minde #2 makes more sense.