How are you a good buddy?

[dherbman]

There's a lot of talk about buddies. Usually, it seems to be about bad buddies. I've read about people who think they are a good buddy, but I'm asking what makes you a good buddy?

I don't claim to be a good anything, but here are some of the things I do for my buddy.

Keep an eye on their mental/physical state from the time we meet for the dive

Talk with them about the dive plan

Eyeball their gear as they set-up

Assist them when they need it.

Ask questions about anything in their kit that I'm not sure about

Complete a pre-dive check with them

Descend with them in constant view, at the same depth and within range

Visually check their gear during the dive for loose straps, leaks....

Monitor their position depending on conditions. The method may vary, but I generally count kicks and after so many kicks, do a full sweep and check position during that sweep.

Monitor their gas. I do this by checking pressure prior to entry, after reaching depth and about 10 minute after reaching depth. I can use this info to gauge their remaining gas based on my gas supply.

Ascend with them in constant view, at the same depth and within range

Keep an eye on their mental/physical state after surfacing

Help them as needed to make the exit.



Just a few things there, but I'm really interested in what you do.

 

[Diver Dennis]

When I dive with a buddy, they are almost always "new to me" so I always monitor their gas. Last year I had an OOA with someone who was not my buddy, just in the same group. His buddy did not have enough gas to share and barely enough to get to the surface herself with a safety stop.

Some divers seem to be offended if I check their gas regularly so I always show them mine first...

 

[texdiveguy]

There's a lot of talk about buddies. Usually, it seems to be about bad buddies. I've read about people who think they are a good buddy, but I'm asking what makes you a good buddy?

I don't claim to be a good anything, but here are some of the things I do for my buddy.

Keep an eye on their mental/physical state from the time we meet for the dive

Talk with them about the dive plan

Eyeball their gear as they set-up

Assist them when they need it.

Ask questions about anything in their kit that I'm not sure about

Complete a pre-dive check with them

Descend with them in constant view, at the same depth and within range

Visually check their gear during the dive for loose straps, leaks....

Monitor their position depending on conditions. The method may vary, but I generally count kicks and after so many kicks, do a full sweep and check position during that sweep.

Monitor their gas. I do this by checking pressure prior to entry, after reaching depth and about 10 minute after reaching depth. I can use this info to gauge their remaining gas based on my gas supply.

Ascend with them in constant view, at the same depth and within range

Keep an eye on their mental/physical state after surfacing

Help them as needed to make the exit.



Just a few things there, but I'm really interested in what you do.

You can come dive with me anytime!!!!

 

[Stormbringer]

Agreed...good things to have as a dive buddy. I would dive with you anytime,

 

[wilkie]

I make a point of looking at my buddy's eyes, to asess comfort level. If I see an expression that shouldn't be in the water, I thunb the dive.

Sort it out on the surface; If "regular buddy"-- candid discussion. If "insta-buddy" a bit of question/answer while I "work" on my "free flowing reg."

If it turns out that I missread their expression, and it is practical to continue the dive, I can "fix" the "free flow" in record time!

 

[DeepSeaDan]

There's a lot of talk about buddies. Usually, it seems to be about bad buddies. I've read about people who think they are a good buddy, but I'm asking what makes you a good buddy?

I don't claim to be a good anything, but here are some of the things I do for my buddy.

Keep an eye on their mental/physical state from the time we meet for the dive

Talk with them about the dive plan

Eyeball their gear as they set-up

Assist them when they need it.

Ask questions about anything in their kit that I'm not sure about

Complete a pre-dive check with them

Descend with them in constant view, at the same depth and within range

Visually check their gear during the dive for loose straps, leaks....

Monitor their position depending on conditions. The method may vary, but I generally count kicks and after so many kicks, do a full sweep and check position during that sweep.

Monitor their gas. I do this by checking pressure prior to entry, after reaching depth and about 10 minute after reaching depth. I can use this info to gauge their remaining gas based on my gas supply.

Ascend with them in constant view, at the same depth and within range

Keep an eye on their mental/physical state after surfacing

Help them as needed to make the exit.



Just a few things there, but I'm really interested in what you do.

... I would & add & / or emphasize just two points:

> In the planning, I'd be sure it was clear whom was to lead & whom was to follow & when / if that order was to change; IMO, this is where most buddies fall short ( or if they plan the lead, they do not stick to it ). We'd agree that the "Leader" was to pay as much attention to the "follower" as he/she leads the dive.

> NEVER succumb to the temptation of moving beyond "touch" distance - when this occurrs, the system breaks down & each member of the buddy team is now "soloing", in many key apects.

Best,
DSD

 

[drbill]

I'll admit (as a videographer) to being an absolutely terrible buddy. That's why I almost always dive solo or with very established buddies who do the same thing. However, if I accept an inexperienced buddy (as I am asked to do occasionally on our dive boat), I am much more attentive to them (but who is watching me?).

 

[mfalco]

My regular dive buddy isn't the best diver, so I constantly keep an eye on him. I check all his gear before he gets in the water. I do all the navigation. (he doesn't even own a compass). I usually plan out the dive. He is good at constantly checking his air supply. For each dive we have certain PSI levels that we let the other know when we are at. I also make sure before every dive that he is comfortable thumbing the dive for any reason at all.

 

[redacted]

I let mine sleep in when she wants to and I just go dive solo.

 

[Guba]

A couple of additional entries to add to the list of things a good buddy does:

Leave the ego at home. If you are the more experienced diver, don't make an issue of it. Dive to YOUR PARTNER'S level of comfort and experience. If you use less air than the partner, so be it. Don't make him/her feel like a failure because they can't stretch their tanks to match your air consumption.
Be ready to abort a dive when your partner gives the signal (have the signal pre-arranged, too). Afterwards, don't denigrate your partner for bailing, no matter how trivial you think the reason was. You can discuss what to do in future similar situations, but preserve your buddy's confidence. He'll need it again on future dives.

Just a couple of thoughts. In other words, be a pleasant buddy to dive with. You'll have a lot more buddies to dive with if you maintain and air of friendliness and good nature.