Wijbrandus once bubbled...
I am going on my first dive since getting certified in about six weeks now. I'll be going alone, since my wife isn't certified yet, but I'm scheduling with a local dive operator.
What tips, advice, whatever can you give me on how to make myself a good buddy vs. a bad buddy? I hear a lot on this board about how a buddy is usually someone you get stuck with on a charter, and how they usually totally suck. I'm hoping to avoid at least some of the pitfalls.
I plan on admitting up front my inexperience and unfamiliarity with the dive. I also hope you can give me some advice on what to do, what to have, and what to say so I don't come off like a complete a$$. I'd like to come off more as a determined rookie than a clueless noob, if it's even possible.
Thanks! Lurking here in the depths has already been really informative.
Here are a few tips:
Before the dive:
- Be open (but not embarrassed) about your experience level. We all started with zero experience.
- Make a plan that includes as a minimum "how deep", "when to turn" and "when to surface" in pressure and/or time (pressure is easier)
- review of hand signals you want to use.
- review of OOA protocol. There are a couple of variants and you should know which one your buddy is expecting (donate primary/donate octopus).
- Discuss what to do if you get separated (common is search 1 min then surface normally to join up again).
- I'm guessing you'll be following a DM for navigation but in any case talk through the dive so you have a visual idea of what to expect.
- find out what your buddy wants to do. If his expectations are beyond your comfort zone say it and/or get another buddy.
- tell your buddy what you want to do.
Under water:
- descend together and ascend together. Match your tempo to your buddy provided it's safe to do so.
- Swim shoulder to shoulder with your buddy. Don't follow him. Discuss this point before the dive.
- Stay out of his fins and stay on the same side of him if you can.
- If you change sides give him the OK sign so he knows you changed sides.
- Don't get too far away (more than 2-3 metres, viz permitting) but give him room to dive, which means don't stay so close that you're constantly bumping into him. Many divers find unintentional contact a little bit irritating, especially if it's happening often.
- Keep good track of your air and warn him when you get to 1/2 pressure and to 1/4 pressure. If your buddy is much more experienced than you are then there's a chance that you'll use your air faster than him/her and you should keep them up to date.
- If you want to stop to look at something or to change directions make sure you watch your buddy and make sure he sees you. If you need to tell him then take the time and *then* change directions (or depth).
- If you do happen to lose him then back-track at the same depth and chances are you'll find him again.
And finally, be aware that many dívers don't have these basic skills. It could be, regardless of what *you* do, that your buddy turns out to be a clown. If that happens then stick with it within your comfort zone and talk it over with them between dives. Whatever you do don't put yourself in danger by following a clown out of your comfort zone.
R..