I would like to know.....

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S

Sean C

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Location
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Hello Ladies,

My wife and I are fairly new to diving (2-3 years). At first, she was very hesitant and almost quit her training when it was time to do her open water checkout dives. Totally understandable, she felt rushed and the conditions were a bit rough, regardless she refused to quit and got her card. Since then we have been on several trips (BVI, Antiqua, Ontario, etc) and have bought all our equipment.

Here is the question, (finally) what do women want in a dive partner, what do you hate, what do you wish others know or do?

Yeah, I know I HAVE asked my wife and she has some suggestions and I know her tendencies. But, I want some more input......

PS. I will never set up her gear or carry her equipment, except for the tank, but I will open the door for her!
 
Hi Sean,
From what I have seen, some women in a diving couple become to dependent. The very best thing you can do for her is to let her become self reliant. While not acceptable in most circles on land, dive partner swapping can be a good thing :rolleyes: Another good thing, is for you both to take the rescue course.

Have fun diving together.

SWT
 
saltwater taffy once bubbled...
Hi Sean,
From what I have seen, some women in a diving couple become to dependent. The very best thing you can do for her is to let her become self reliant. While not acceptable in most circles on land, dive partner swapping can be a good thing :rolleyes: Another good thing, is for you both to take the rescue course.

Have fun diving together.

SWT
Click to expand...

I agree. Learn on equal footing.

I would say you are on the right foot with not setting up her gear, etc.

Find out where each of your strengths are (maybe she like pohotography, you're better at navig, she's better at buoyancy, etc) build from there.
 
I would recommend you both carry a slate. I can read my husband like a book on land but not the same underwater. What would you expect after 30 yrs? Communication is important in all areas but u/w it is a little tougher.

Becky
 
Hello,

I've delt with more than my fair share of couples while instructing. It is great that you don't set up her equipment. That's a very positive sign in that it reduces dependence.

Something that works for a lot of folks is the dive partner swapping idea suggested a few posts back. Find another couple and have the wives dive together and the guys dive together. That way, they can go at their own pace, see what they want and not feel as though they are adversly impacting on your enjoyment.

Another thing you could do together is to have her lead the dive. Just follow a tad off of her hip or so and let her go where she wants to go. This should help a bit as well.

Finally, get certified in Rescue or whatever next step you want to get certified in together. If you really are concerned about being more a partner than the dominant half, you have to go up the certification ladder together.

Just my take on the topic.

Best of luck!
 
Hoya97 once bubbled...

Finally, get certified in Rescue or whatever next step you want to get certified in together. If you really are concerned about being more a partner than the dominant half, you have to go up the certification ladder together.
Best of luck!
Click to expand...


Togther as in the SAME class or together as in around the same time but in a different class? If the objective is to have 2 independent and equally trained divers, I would think the latter would be best. I know for myself it's very difficult for me not to "help" my wife and it's too easy for her to ask for help if I am close by.
 
Recommend the same class.

Reason why is because if one goes through first, there is the temptation for the other to fall behind. Another reason is if she ever has to rescue someone, that someone may be you. Let her be the 'leader' in rescuing you and that will put her on an equal footing.

Also, you can mention to the instructor that you DON'T want to train together. Once in a while is cool, but you fully support mixing and matching among the class. He will appreciate that and you will end up with a better partner.

Best of luck!
 
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