BIGSAGE136:
There is no such thing as an inta-buddy. YOU have the choice ALWAYS to go to that
step. You can call. You can teach. You can guide. You call the shots.
If I were ever "insta-buddied"
we would start from the ground floor. I would check his equipment, and I would introduce him/her to mine. If ever the MOMENT came when I felt uncomfortable I would inform the DM that I am solo.
Oh...by the way...if you are not ready to solo dont ever complain about buddies...They save lives!
Sage, as you say, this is one sport that the other guy might just be the only link to your survival. I think this is true but you have a far better chance of being killed in an MVA on the way to the boat. The way I control my environment is to do just as I have said, many times. I solo a lot or dive with groups and tag along behind unless I find an interesting subject to shoot.
The reason I included your post above was because a lot of us have done just that, gone through buddy checks, ask them questions and tried to feel them out before we get into the water, make sure they have enough experience and confidence to do the dive. The problem is that a lot of this can go out the window sometimes as soon as you are below the surface. That is very frustrating to divers like me, especially when you get someone who says they have good buoyancy skills on the boat but are actually reef walkers. When this happens enough, you start to question whether you should take the time to do it. The problem is magnified when you are in an exotic locale.
When diving with someone who tells you straight out they are new and need a hand, you know what to expect and I'm happy to dive with them if I'm not taking pictures or on holiday myself. Surprises U/W can ruin a dive and might be dangerous.
Your last post says to "make them understand that God blesses those that has their own". I see this as meaning that they better be able to take care of themselves and not rely on you. Catherine here on the board had a great line..."We're both solo divers and we want to dive together". I agree.
You also emphasized the point that you would not dive with them the moment you became uncomfortable. Do you have enough experience to read people right all the time? I don't and I done quite a few dives. One of my points was what do you do when you're underwater and find out the guy is a terrible diver? He is already an insta-buddy as soon as you drop so you're stuck. Do you just leave him and worry about yourself? I don't. I stick with him until the dive is over and address the problem when we get back on the boat. When this happens to you enough times I think you might become as cynical as I am at times. Will it happen to me again? Yes, there will be situations where I'll be with a group and be buddied up and won't be able to tell until we are in the water. Not necessarily dangerous situations but ones that will ruin my dive.
You also said not to complain about buddies unless you're ready to go solo because they save lives. Well this is not correct because it means that if you don't solo you should just put up with your buddy, even if he is a terrible diver? How is he going to save your life if he can't even take care of himself? Believe me, I understand VERY clearly that it is me who controls my environment. I've been saying that from my first post.
I see a lot of contradictions in your argument.
