Diving solo . . . but not alone

[TSandM]

My instructor said something to me Saturday that's still bothering me.

He said, "When I dive with students, I'm essentially diving solo. That's why I make sure there are lots of eyes in the water."

I had to acknowledge that there is a lot of truth to that. I mean, I'm a potential alternate air source, assuming I remember my drills, but not much help in any kind of awful situation -- I can't imagine, for example, trying to stop a runaway ascent, or trying to drag an unconscious diver to the surface. But this has now made me timid about seeking buddies with whom to dive, unless they are instructors.

For those of you who are willing to dive with novices, do you think about this? Does it dissuade anybody from diving with beginners? Do you only dive with a beginner if there is a group? Or am I just being overly sensitive (which is possible)?

 

[Jasonmh]

It is a good point you bring up, and good that you are thinking about it. I always make sure that if I am diving with someone brand new to the sport that I have atleast one other relatively competent person with us for this very reason. Everyone was new to the sport once, and I am still new myself, but it is a concern that I think about. I don't want to say no to diving with new divers, because I was on the other end not long ago and I really appreciated those more experienced divers that dove with me.
But I try to balance that with safety and plan to dive in a group if I dive with someone with less than 15 or so dives.

My instructor said something to me Saturday that's still bothering me.

He said, "When I dive with students, I'm essentially diving solo. That's why I make sure there are lots of eyes in the water."

I had to acknowledge that there is a lot of truth to that. I mean, I'm a potential alternate air source, assuming I remember my drills, but not much help in any kind of awful situation -- I can't imagine, for example, trying to stop a runaway ascent, or trying to drag an unconscious diver to the surface. But this has now made me timid about seeking buddies with whom to dive, unless they are instructors.

For those of you who are willing to dive with novices, do you think about this? Does it dissuade anybody from diving with beginners? Do you only dive with a beginner if there is a group? Or am I just being overly sensitive (which is possible)?

 

[mrobinson]

I think about it. But I'd rather dive with a beginner and get them diving then worry about it. (I was there too.) I just explain because of habit I do the head-to-toe/buddy checks.. something "experienced" divers refuse to do. It took awhile for me to feel comfortable in the water, let alone being a reliable dive buddy. After working with students, my confidence soared with being in the water with myself or someone new. (BTW- My head did eventually pop when I took a course with GUE... I've never dived solo but understand the idea of being alone in water because your buddy isn't paying attention.)

 

[theskull]

I am always willing to dive with novices, within fairly restrictive limits, and I always consider them to be solo dives. Actually, somewhat more task-loaded, because on a solo dive I only have to keep myself out of trouble; with a novice diver of unknown skill level I have to also anticipate all the mistakes and problems he can present.

Fortunately, diving within recreational limits and keeping conditions simple is extremely safe and forgiving. So this is not something that causes me concern.

theskull

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

My instructor said something to me Saturday that's still bothering me.

He said, "When I dive with students, I'm essentially diving solo. That's why I make sure there are lots of eyes in the water."

I had to acknowledge that there is a lot of truth to that. I mean, I'm a potential alternate air source, assuming I remember my drills, but not much help in any kind of awful situation -- I can't imagine, for example, trying to stop a runaway ascent, or trying to drag an unconscious diver to the surface. But this has now made me timid about seeking buddies with whom to dive, unless they are instructors.

For those of you who are willing to dive with novices, do you think about this? Does it dissuade anybody from diving with beginners? Do you only dive with a beginner if there is a group? Or am I just being overly sensitive (which is possible)?

Instructors have a lot of those sort of sayings ... it isn't a knock on the student or new diver, it's a way to remind ourselves that unexpected things happen more often with the new diver than with a regular dive buddy, and we need to approach the dive with more caution ... both for our safety and for that of our new dive buddy.

When I was taking my instructor class, my Course Director told me that whenever I got in the water with a class, assume that my students were out to kill me. This wasn't to say that they actually were, but rather a way to remind me to take every possible precaution.

Some people take to diving easier than others ... like any other recreational activity. Don't let what someone else says or thinks inhibit your desire to learn and improve ... or dissuade you from seeking out friendly, non-professional divers to dive with. Limit the depth and complexity of your dives to what you are comfortable with, and make sure you choose a dive buddy who understands that if you are not comfortable, you'll signal to shorten or abort the dive.

There are plenty of good, non-pro mentors out there ... and they all started the same place you're at today. I encourage you to seek them out and take advantage of what you can learn by diving with them.

In response to your final questions ... I really enjoy diving with beginners, do so whenever my schedule permits, don't worry about having a group around (you prepare for emergencies in any case) ... and yes, I think you may be overly sensitive (although there's nothing wrong with that anyway) ...

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed your dive journal, I can comfortably say I would dive with you. I think you've got a great attitude ... and that's important. Everything else can be learned ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[nolatom]

I usually dive with a "pick-up" buddy; some have been relative novices (say 5-10 post-cert dives) but usually have been "recommended" to me by the boat captain or DM. So far it's worked out well, they've all been pretty competent and I've enjoyed helping introduce them to diving, just as my buddies patiently helped me along when I was the newbie.

I do recognize they're not going to necessarily be experienced at helping me if I get into trouble; it's a concern, but not enough to stop me from doing it, at least if the conditions are good and the dive profile isn't too extreme. If I blow a reg or an o-ring, I could still get air from them, and the new divers tend to be better at staying close to me and paying attention. As long as their buoyancy control is decent and we keep an eye on each others' gauges, it should work out. Has so far, anyway.

To me, helping out a new diver is like "paying it forward" for the consideration shown to you when you were the novice.

 

[randy54]

Novice divers, while not skilled at handling emergencies, which don't happen often anyway, are generally very attentive, and willing to take direction. Because of this, I don't mind diving with them. The divers that bother me the most are the one with "experience", but haven't dove in awhile. I've run into many of them that are way over confident, often underweighted, and don't understand why they became such air hogs. (must be a leak somewhere).

 

[mrobinson]

Novice divers, while not skilled at handling emergencies, which don't happen often anyway, are generally very attentive, and willing to take direction. Because of this, I don't mind diving with them. The divers that bother me the most are the one with "experience", but haven't dove in awhile. I've run into many of them that are way over confident, often underweighted, and don't understand why they became such air hogs. (must be a leak somewhere).

I can't agree with this more. A novice diver may lack some skills but are not too pig-headed yet!

 

[Xanthro]

I am always willing to dive with novices, within fairly restrictive limits, and I always consider them to be solo dives. Actually, somewhat more task-loaded, because on a solo dive I only have to keep myself out of trouble; with a novice diver of unknown skill level I have to also anticipate all the mistakes and problems he can present.

Fortunately, diving within recreational limits and keeping conditions simple is extremely safe and forgiving. So this is not something that causes me concern.

That's how I feel as well. Novices are better than more experienced divers who haven't dove in months or years.

There is more task loading because I watch out for a novice far more than I would an experienced diver I know, checking their air more often, trying to ensure they have a good dive.

Novice's rarely try to race around, something I hate, and often for me the best dives are simply ones where we find some nice bugs or octopus. I like to leisurely watch the wildlife and this suits most novices.

Only downside is the dives are shorter because they run out of air. I've never felt endangered with a novice, but I've had to turn back with more experienced divers because I felt they were unsafe.

Besides, doesn't the look of excitment on someones face increase the enjoyment of the dive?

 

[DaFireMedic]

My instructor said something to me Saturday that's still bothering me.

He said, "When I dive with students, I'm essentially diving solo. That's why I make sure there are lots of eyes in the water."

I had to acknowledge that there is a lot of truth to that. I mean, I'm a potential alternate air source, assuming I remember my drills, but not much help in any kind of awful situation -- I can't imagine, for example, trying to stop a runaway ascent, or trying to drag an unconscious diver to the surface. But this has now made me timid about seeking buddies with whom to dive, unless they are instructors.

For those of you who are willing to dive with novices, do you think about this? Does it dissuade anybody from diving with beginners? Do you only dive with a beginner if there is a group? Or am I just being overly sensitive (which is possible)?

"Solo" diving is not the taboo that it once was, mainly in light of the point that you just made. Always be self sufficient.

I love diving with beginners, they haven't developed bad habits yet. Some have very good attitudes and are very competent divers, within their limits. Some have poor attitudes and are unsafe.