First Dive w/o a DM

[lavachickie]

My first dive without an instructor or DM was my first after certification. But it was simple: a shore dive in front of our resort, 20 ft, mild current, no other complications. It was kinda like a big pool. =-)

I'd been out there on my last checkout dive, but my husband and friend hadn't. So when we all got in the water, they said, "You know this area, so you lead." Wow! I knew something these guys didn't! And it was great to lead, and was probably the biggest confidence booster I've had yet. (I've been told my confidence is lagging far behind my skills. Kinda better than the other way around. ha!)

That helped, because it's true that the training is aimed at making you an independent diver. If you dive with a guide/DM all the time, then you're missing out on an area of growth as a diver: your independence and responsibility in planning/executing with a buddy. Planning your own dives, especially in a new area that you aren't familiar with (yet), and executing that plan (and dealing with the unexpected) is a different challenge.

If it worries you, take a step back and ask yourself why? What do you feel you are weak on? Practice up on that, then, and get over that hurdle.

 

[lmorin]

My wife and I went to a resort for the first dives after OW cert and the standard was to be guided. The comfort level was improved by having a guide take us around. Not for the technical side, but for the navigational side. These were boat dives with reef features beginning at 50-60 ft depth. Our navigational skills were virtually nil and made us nervous. Well, after about 10 dives at that resort, we decided it was important to get over the navigation mental hump. We did this by going to the Keys where we did 25-35 ft easy, but very fun, dives. In the Keys, the typical situation is for the Dive Op to give a briefing that concludes with, "Be back in 1 hr or 500 lbs." For us, this proved to be a very good gentle way of becoming accustomed to being on our own and building dive confidence in general.

 

[DCBC]

So I ended up in a weird situation last month. My brother and I had a chance to do shore dives for one day in Roatan and we couldn't pass it up. The thing is- we're both new divers. For the first dive we had a guide, that was only our 9th dive. We both really wanted to dive a second tank while there, but none of the DMs had time to go with us- so we did a short shallow dive together after. It went fine, but I couldn't help but feel like it was a bad idea. I guess my question is- how many dives did everyone here have before they were comfortable diving without a DM or otherwise very experienced buddy???

Only you know if you and your buddy were adequately prepared to do this dive. Needing a DM is a relatively new "requirement." In the day, all divers were trained to dive independently and were given all of the basic skill-sets (including rescue skills) to do this safely.

My initial training course to-day is 50 hours. Divers are qualified to dive in this area (the North Atlantic) with a buddy, immediately after they are certified.

To answer your question: I did my first independent dive on the same afternoon that I was certified. It was 1965 and I was 12 years old.

 

[SailNaked]

So I ended up in a weird situation last month. My brother and I had a chance to do shore dives for one day in Roatan and we couldn't pass it up. The thing is- we're both new divers. For the first dive we had a guide, that was only our 9th dive. We both really wanted to dive a second tank while there, but none of the DMs had time to go with us- so we did a short shallow dive together after. It went fine, but I couldn't help but feel like it was a bad idea. I guess my question is- how many dives did everyone here have before they were comfortable diving without a DM or otherwise very experienced buddy???

Thanks

After my 2 checkout dives with the instructor and 2 required dives with my student budy, I never had a DM as a dive buddy till my wife and I became DMs, I did not have a DM in the water with me until I had 50 or so dives and could afford a vacation where they were in the water as guides. so I guess my answer is Zero.

 

[elan]

So I ended up in a weird situation last month. My brother and I had a chance to do shore dives for one day in Roatan and we couldn't pass it up. The thing is- we're both new divers. For the first dive we had a guide, that was only our 9th dive. We both really wanted to dive a second tank while there, but none of the DMs had time to go with us- so we did a short shallow dive together after. It went fine, but I couldn't help but feel like it was a bad idea. I guess my question is- how many dives did everyone here have before they were comfortable diving without a DM or otherwise very experienced buddy???

Thanks

We (me and my wife) started diving on our own on the next day after finishing out OW class. We have completed our OW checkouts and took a charter with the same shop on the next day. Though we were completely by ourselves.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

This thread really stuck in my mind all day. What struck me as very sad is that the OP felt it was a bad idea to go diving without a guide.

One of the joys of diving is the fun of entering the water with a sense of exploration and adventure. I've hit the water any number of times to go poke around a site I'd never seen before. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't; all that's important is that you know enough to keep the conditions within the envelope where your skills are adequate.

That classes are producing divers who think it is a bad idea to go diving by themselves is a condemnation.

1+. And this seems to be common, and is the dive industry's fault, not the new divers.

I did OW in 1976. I began solo diving, without undue apprehension, about 8 or 10 dives after OW. I was 18. The sense of "exploration and adventure" was (and still is) wonderful.

To jen_b: Keep diving (with or without a DM ). The more you dive, the easier all this becomes. What you did on Roatan was absolutely a GOOD idea. Keep your initial un-escorted dives conservative and easy, follow your training, stay alert, and you'll be just fine.

You should probably seek additional training when you can to help fill in any skill gaps, and this will increase your comfort level.

And Have Fun!

Best wishes.

 

[TMHeimer]

My first few dives were mostly with a DM or someone with much experience. Then not so much. Most of my dives at home are with my buddy, who was certified about the same time as me. This thread reminds me of an old topic which has been beaten to death. Info. on rescue situations is just touched on in the PADI OW manual and we had no in-pool training on these points. Makes you wonder about two newly certified divers together as buddies without any real idea about rescue techniques. Yet, the "rule" is always dive with a buddy...Seems that this situation could probably produce more dangerous (panic) situations than a newbie diving 20 feet solo.

 

[Druid]

My experience has been similar to that of diver 85.

Mine too, 4 dives on the OW course, then off I went on my own

I was comfortable diving without a DM on OW Dive #5. My comfort level could partially be attributed to my instructor and partially to my adventurous spirit.

I'd like to think that was true for me, but there was a large element of not knowing what I didn't know.

My buddies on my first 30 dives after OW class all had about the same level of dive experience as I did.

I did my earliest dive with my wife or my son (then aged 14), we all qualified at the same time. This meant that I tended to plan and lead the dives, so I built up my confidence/comfort/experience quite quickly. It also meant that the dives stayed fairly shallow and simple for quite a while.

Join a dive club. Grow your circle of dive buddies. Dive more. Things get easier with practice.

This is good advice.

 

[jen_b]

Thanks for all the responses- I'm actually kind of shocked by them! I guess it's a mix of my only irl diving friend being on the paranoid side- she thinks scuba is really dangerous, that resort courses shouldn't even exist, and scolds me for diving with a camera while I'm new to everything- and also that I kind of feel that training is very minimal considering it took three days to become certified and maybe there should be more about emergency situations. Anyway, thanks for all the input!

 

[stargost]

Thanks for all the responses- I'm actually kind of shocked by them! I guess it's a mix of my only irl diving friend being on the paranoid side- she thinks scuba is really dangerous, that resort courses shouldn't even exist, and scolds me for diving with a camera while I'm new to everything- and also that I kind of feel that training is very minimal considering it took three days to become certified and maybe there should be more about emergency situations. Anyway, thanks for all the input!

Jen_b,
I was also very shocked and concerned about how people go and dive by themselves here in the US. It is maybe dangerous for some, but represents a excellent way to learn diving much better.
I think my daughter started her dive without a DM at her 5th dive ! We were there (but it doesnt count in terms of experience) and there were a few more experienced folks to help but no DM in terms of responsibilities. When we did the first boat dive, it was probably dive #6 or 7, and only the 3 of us. Very scary!
Now, of course, main consequence when it happens (in principle) is that you pay extra super attention to what you are doing (risk level of area, air, depth, navigation, etc...). And eventually, if still dangerous, you learn much faster (like jumping in a pool to learn how to swim).

I have plenty of friends with much more dives than me, but they have always dived in resort with DM. I believe my JOW daughter of 12 would be able to teach them a few tricks about shore and kelp diving. And no need for DM... if done carefully and with conscious awareness of what you are going to do.

so ...go for it !