I want to be a good buddy...

[Gidds]

On my quest to make a full re-entry into the world of scuba I want to learn how to be a really good buddy. I'm in the process of looking for local buddies and sort of making up my own buddy screening protocol as I go but I'd like tips from experienced divers about how they think a new diver can learn to be a good buddy.
Being a good buddy is important to me because I tend to be rather shy, hermitish, antisocial, high-strung, socially akward and occaisonally self-conscious and I don't want to scare off potentially good dive buddies.

 

[AndyNZ]

I don't think that there's any such thing as a "generic" good buddy - what works for one buddy team might not work for another!

The things I look for in a buddy are - they look after their gear and get it serviced regularly, they maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep physically and mentally fit to dive, they like diving the same sort of things as I do, under the water I never have to worry where they are or look for them - they're always where we agree we'll be in our dive plan, they bring attention to even the most minor problem that arises, they point out cool stuff that I miss, they know their own limits and stay with in them. Other than that, I'm not too fussy

For a new(ish) diver wanting to be a good buddy, the best thing to do is be open and honest with the people you dive with. If you're not comfortable with the plan, say so. Ask "why" about anything you don't understand. Keep an open mind, relax and enjoy.

You don't have to be gregarious to be a good buddy!

 

[canuckdiver]

I'll second exactly what Andy is saying.

and check your PM's

 

[Gidds]

Let's look at this from a slightly different prespective: what are things that novice divers potentially do that would cheese you off if they were your buddy?

 

[dive2deep]

Being a good buddy is quite subjective. Do you mean a regular buddy, or insta-buddy? A good insta-buddy (like the kind you get when you get on the boat by yourself) is one that pays attention to where you are while diving, and will usually adapt their dive style to yours. A good regular buddy is one that truely dives like you do, dives in the same places you do, and uses just as much air as you. But than again, this isn't a perfect world...

 

[paolov]

to be a good buddy is to be knowledgeable in the sport of SCUBA. being aware of the risks involved and special skills most especially perfect buoyancy control would help.

understand the physics of SCUBA diving.

 

[Gidds]

I am taking a truely anti-insta-buddy-no-exceptions stance at the moment. I'm talking about a buddy you've met, conversed with, gone snorkelling with and now have decided they might be ok to scuba dive with. That is my current screening protocol and it may sound stuffy but that's what I'm comfortable with for now.

 

[AndyNZ]

The only thing that would annoy me when diving with an inexperienced diver is mock bravado and BS. I'm sure you know the type, "Yeah, I'll dive to 40m no problem. I never get narc'd - it will be sweet, man".

Then at 30m they get narc'd spit out their reg and bolt for the surface because they really aren't comfortable with their diving.

I love diving with new divers, it's like learning to dive and seeing things in a new light all over again. I couldn't care less if a new diver asks me to stick to a shallow dive, or a short dive time or anything else.... it's all good clean fun. I don't mind if it takes someone twice as long to gear up. I don't mind explaining why I'm suggesting something in the dive plan.

What I do object to is dealing with problems under the water that if only they'd said something before descending wouldn't have arisen.

 

[AndyNZ]

I am taking a truely anti-insta-buddy-no-exceptions stance at the moment. I'm talking about a buddy you've met, conversed with, gone snorkelling with and now have decided they might be ok to scuba dive with. That is my current screening protocol and it may sound stuffy but that's what I'm comfortable with for now.

That's not stuffy, that's just good common sense! You should only dive with people you feel comfortable diving with!

 

[spectrum]

On my quest to make a full re-entry into the world of scuba I want to learn how to be a really good buddy. I'm in the process of looking for local buddies and sort of making up my own buddy screening protocol as I go but I'd like tips from experienced divers about how they think a new diver can learn to be a good buddy.
Being a good buddy is important to me because I tend to be rather shy, hermitish, antisocial, high-strung, socially akward and occaisonally self-conscious and I don't want to scare off potentially good dive buddies.

First I share many of your self described traits and find that when I'm with other divers and share a common interest a lot of that vaporizes.

Screening tips?

Have a common objective. If you want a relaxing long air sipping dive and your buddy wants to chase fish you're going to be run ragged. Agree on objectives and pace.

Even if you're not navigating naviagte. Be prepared to engage the lead diver if they offer a choice at some point or need reassurance.

Manage your air. Make your typical use known as well as your turn pressure. If the leader is not doing air checks make sure to give a warning like 500 psi before needing to turn. Nobody want the brakes slammed on. Don't over dive your air supply.

What ever role you are in keep in easy sight by flanking the other diver but give enough room for them to be in their own space.

Try not to come off like the Spanish inquisition, spend some time talking, mention what you have done and gauge their reactions. If you said you saw something cool at 80 feet and they break out in a sweat don't take them to 80 feet. You can learn alot by listening.

With 41 dives I'm not very experinced but those are things I've found helpful. Some are personal improvement goals. It's continuous improvement for all.

Pete