First Unsupervised Dive Soon in Lauderdale

[Aucilla]

A week from Saturday, I am going diving in Fort Lauderdale. It will be my very first dive without my instructor, though I have 11 dives under my belt, as deep as 100' so I am AOW.

The problem is that I am going to be down there without a dive buddy, so I will be I guess what you call a walk on or something, on a dive boat.

I want to go on a dive boat that would conduct a dive that would be good for a beginner like me, one that is, like one I heard described elsewhere, "controlled" or something.

What size boat should I look for, in terms of number of divers. I will have to just meet up with another unbuddied diver on the boat, I guess (which is a little intimidating for me), so I was thinking a large group would more likely have another diver in the same situation. Of course, for a newbie like me, I would just have to hope to have a good, compentent buddy.

I just don't know what to do...

Thanks for any advice.

 

[DBailey]

Might get better responses from the Florida Conch Divers section of this board:

http://www.scubaboard.com/f55.html

 

[DeputyDan]

My last certification dive in the Quarry was my last "supervised" dive.

Two keys trips and an upcoming Bonaire trip, I don't think I would like the DM guided trips like in Coz. That's why there is something for everyone.

You have to start somewhere - sometime. Go for it.

 

[herman]

A couple of thoughts come to mind.
First, why not try doing a post on this board looking for a buddy. There are a lot of Fla divers on the board and I would think there are several that would be happy to buddy up with a new diver. Reguardless of where or how you buddy up with someone, be honest with them about your diving experience and concerns. Don't take it personally if someone declines to buddy with you. I rarely mind budding up with a new diver IF I know ahead of time and if it's a " been there, done that dive" for me but if it's a " have been looking forward to this dive for years" kind of dive I feel differently. If I have just paid $$$$, drove for 15 hrs and the dive is more than a simple reef dive, the last thing I want is to have to end the dive with 2000psi because of an inexperienced buddy.
How about some of the divers in your class? I would bet they are looking for a buddy as well. Your instructor can most likely put you in touch with them.
Another option that may suit you well is to hire a DM to dive with you. The biggest problem I see with this is that you may tend to depend on him as an instructor rather than building confidence on your own.
You also should let the dive op know that you are new and are interested in less demanding sites. I know from personal experience that the dive can get more advanced than you really want if you don't speak up.

 

[RIDIVER501]

Good for you.

I would let the DM on the boat know you are relatively new to diving.

ask questions about anything you are leery of.

and have fun.

Oh and my mom says be safe too . he he (well she tells me that all the time anyways thought I would pass it along)