In defense of "insta", and even "bad" buddies..

[BIGSAGE136]

So you go through the roster and pick your own buddy? How many times have you refused to dive if they don't meet your standards? Can you save yourself? I would hope so, if not you should not be in the water. Can you save them? Depends on the situation and if you could do it without hurting yourself too. I always plan dives, so I guess I won't be a statistic. What happens if you pick someone based on the story of experience they give you but they are fudging a bit, or a lot and you don't find out until you are in the water?
These are the types of scenarios that cause many experienced divers to be wary of Insta-Buddies.

I inform the Captain that I am solo or hit the cookie jar!

 

[Diver Dennis]

What do you do when you find out 10 minutes into the dive?

 

[BIGSAGE136]

Pure rescue. Remember, and this is not cold, save yourself!

 

[wedivebc]

I get free diving because I am willing to be an insta-buddy. I often get invited to go with a local charter operator when he has a single diver needing a buddy. When I travel I bring my own buddy or go solo. I paid for that vacation I am not about to be paired up with an insta-buddy on holiday.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Pure rescue. Remember, and this is not cold, save yourself!

This is not just about an Insta-buddy that has to be rescued, in fact I've only had 2 emergencies in all my dives but about someone who is going to ruin your dive because they are incompetent as a diver. What do you do then? Get mad and say "I'll never dive with that Insta-buddy again". Which is exactly my point.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I get free diving because I am willing to be an insta-buddy. I often get invited to go with a local charter operator when he has a single diver needing a buddy. When I travel I bring my own buddy or go solo. I paid for that vacation I am not about to be paired up with an insta-buddy on holiday.

I totally agree Dave. Exactly the point I was trying to get across. Why should you have to pay to babysit someone?

 

[BIGSAGE136]

This is not just about an Insta-buddy that has to be rescued, in fact I've only had 2 emergencies in all my dives but about someone who is going to ruin your dive because they are incompetent as a diver. What do you do then? Get mad and say "I'll never dive with that Insta-buddy again". Which is exactly my point.

Every dive you have is a rescue dive. You just dont realize it yet. Every dive is a deco dive too. Keep diving, and be safe.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Please explain. Yes, I do know that every dive is a deco dive, some a lot more than others but the rescue dive thing escapes me. I've never heard this before.

 

[BIGSAGE136]

Please explain. Yes, I do know that every dive is a deco dive, some a lot more than others but the rescue dive thing escapes me. I've never heard this before.

This is for the greater learning experience of those lurking. Have you taken rescue?:06:

 

[Diver Dennis]

No, I have not.