Diving in three's (or any odd number).

[jeandiver]

I had a situation earlier in December down in the keys. Since I was down there on my own I needed to be paired up with *UNKNOWN* buddies. For most of my dives I was with my instructor (Wreck and Basic Nitrox) so those dives weren't an issue.
On one morning trip, there were 5 of us that were advanced and diving the Spiegel Grove. There were three of us that did not have buddies and we were grouped together as a three-some. The wreck dive was just fantastic. We stuck together just fine. We then moved to a shallow wreck and the basic divers went at it. Finally, we tootled off to French Reef and the whole mob went in. I was paired with the same other two. Things went alone fine for the first 10 minutes or so. The one buddy of mine was taking pictures (as I was also) and went ahead of us to get some shots. At the same time, my other buddy went to do some exploration under the coral, which was in the opposite direction. The guy ahead of me was totally oblivious to the situation and just kept shooting pictures. It seemed each of them just wanted to do their own thing. I tend to be a very buddy-orientated diver (stay very close). I basically just hung there and got just got madder and madder at both of them. Anyway, the guy that was in the coral finally came out and joined up with me. I gave him a look that must have just wilted the poor guy. I WAS PISSED (which was extrememly dangerous on my part...I let me emotions get the best of me). We then swam ahead and finally joined the other "SOLO" diver.
The rest of the dive was very uneventful. I stuck like glue to at least one of them. That is what I probably should have done in the first place. So I put most of the blame for this on myself.
Interestingly though, I have dove with 3 before up here in Mn/Wis. many times, and have never had this problem before. All of us stuck together as a group and had a wonderful time. I guess I learned my lesson well. I should have stuck by at least one of them and then waited for the other one.
Any opinions/advice/wise cousel would be most welcome!!!!!

 

[Walter]

Jean,

Different people have different philosophies about the buddy system. Always discuss the issue before the dive. If you can't agree, you can look for another buddy.

 

[ScubaBaby]

I'm lucky that I have never come across a situation such as this as I have a fiancee and a father who both dive - I am always with one of them.

My partner was actually the one who trained me and my father so we all have similar opinions and know each others diving abilities.

As Walter said, its always worth discussing your dive plan throughly esp. if you have 3 people as its much easier to loose track of where your "buddies" go. And you seemed to be the person left hanging wondering who to follow.

I disagree with your statement that this was your fault, as it was your other buddies who put you in the situation of who should you keep your eye on.

 

[Paco]

I've discovered that, especially with a new buddy, it is important to discuss staying close and also side by side. I have frequently had divers that kept getting behind be to follow. That puts the burden on me to continually turn around to keep track of them. They are nice an comfy because they can see what they follow. So, that is one thing I always mention before the dive.

 

[ABQdiver]

Being a new diver that was taught the importance of the buddy system I continually am aware of my buddies whereabouts. If you dive with a known buddy and talk about these issues it makes the process much easier.

Had a buddy once for a dive and he liked to hang out behind and above all the time. That position, while easy for him, was a pain in the neck for me (literally).

Communication is simpler above the water than below, make sure you both agree on the procedure.

 

[Butch103]

if you establish the guidelines before entry into the water. I buddy up often with Bottom_Sucker and his lovely wife. When we do this one leads and the other two stay on each side of the leader (v formation).....always staying close yet comfortable from each other............

 

[Cave Diver]

This topic was discussed in depth not long ago. For a look at these two threads click here and here.

 

[SDAnderson]

"There were three of us" It's a lot harder to make three work as a team than two. Strike one.

"I needed to be paired up with *UNKNOWN* buddies" It's nearly impossible to make a team out of divers that don't know each other. Strike two.

"The one buddy of mine was taking pictures (as I was also) and went ahead of us to get some shots." Photographers are notorious for making poor team members. Strike three.

While you're waiting for your next turn at bat, consider this: If you step over the gunwale without a buddy, you're a solo diver. How can you be better prepared?

Steven

 

[ScubaBaby]

Butch....
Sounds like your an expert on threesomes then !!!

 

[PK]

If I was in Jeandiver's situation during a dive, I would follow the person who was in the most interesting area. Try to keep an eye out for the third but if he/she disapears, signal the buddy your with and try to regroup them. Key Largo has great visability so maybe they were comfortable being farther apart, but they should always be in eyesight.

Anyway, there's not much you can do if your buddies are being mavericks but you can stick with one of them and do your best to enjoy the dive. When you dive with people you don't know, it's always a risk that they do things disappointing, even if you try to discuss things before the dive (although discussing helps avoid a lot of problems). People make mistakes and not everyone are good divers.

I've dove with 3 people in poor visability (like 5 ft vis). When that happens, I know the dive will probably be NOT the best, but sometimes circumstances like this will happen and I'll try to make the best of it. One thing that makes it easier is if we agree to have one person lead and navigate, one person a little behind him/her on the right, and one person a little behind on the left. The two divers behind are responsible for keeping an eye on eachother and let the front diver know if anything is wrong while the front diver picks one diver behind to keep track. In poor vis, it's super hard to keep track of more than one person. In good vis, it's still hard but at least you can see what's going on.