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

[nolatom]

Okay, I didn't mean to start a tiff but maybe it was useful. Dennis, at 10 minutes with an incompetent buddy, I'd thumb the dive, no choice really. Hasn't happened yet. And I agree with OE2X above about the dives you pay extra for and which are deeper or more challenging maybe not being the ideal pickup buddy dive. But I buddied with a newbie for a deepish dive, his first ocean dive, first boat dive. But the interview allayed some of my fears and turned out he did fine..went to 100' on his first blue water dive and loved it. Good experience for me, too. Maybe I've just been fortunate.

 

[superstar]

I must just be lucky because I have never had a bad dive or complaints from other divers being an insta buddy. I do look after myself first. If the insta buddy is going to kill himself I will let him and save myself and I expect the same from him, no need for two deaths. If you have a good dive plan, stick to it, and don't do really stupid things, major problems can be avoided.

 

[Charlie99]

I'm trying to explain why there are a lot of people who are wary of diving with Insta-buddies.

Because there are a lot of divers who have not reached a level of competence where they can plan, enjoy, or call their dives.

I agree.

People that are concerned about insta-buddies are probably people that have not reached a level of competence where they can plan and enjoy their dives with someone they just met on the boat.

------------

My guess is that a lot of the divers that complain the loudest about diving with newbies are divers that just recently graduated from the ranks of newbies, but don't have the confidence/experience/skills to be the senior diver in a buddy pair where the other diver is a new diver.

 

[dkktsunami]

Well said.

 

[RikRaeder]

As a new diver and potential insta-buddy, I have to say; after reading various and sundry threads which reference IBs, I dread running into an experienced diver with a bad attitude. I've seen many entries from seemingly quite predjudiced divers and a few from seemingly open-minded divers. Many more from the former than the latter.

The last thing I need as I'm working on my skills is to be interrogated, judged, and perhaps then patronized before getting in the water. My adrenaline still courses as I prepare my gear, sometimes I flub it on assembly or donning (but manage to self-correct if given a few moments). When I enter the water it takes me some time to get my head right and settle into my training. It's an exhilerating experience. My skill set is adequate for now, but I'm trying to improve it.

Believe it or not, people who are experienced at something and know what they're doing usually inspire admiration and respect from those who are still learning. We observe and emulate you. Like it or not, if you are more experienced at something, most less-experienced people will look to you for leadership. It's human nature. Please bear that in mind when "interviewing" IBs. Some friendly, casual questions are natural however over-asserting your experience could intimidate a newbie and make them less than honest in an attempt to be "good enough."

Diving seems to me a sport where relaxation, both physical and mental, is key. Additional pressure from worrying about slowing someone down, not measuring up to their expectations, or ruining their dive certainly can't help one to dive at peak proficiency let alone improve.

Most of the comments regarding IBs that I've seen on Scubaboard make me hope that I will never, ever run into those who have posted them. As I mentioned, a few (notably on this thread, but on others as well) give me some hope that I may indeed be able to have a more positive experience if/when it's my turn to be the new guy IB.

If incompetant IBs are such a problem, couldn't one approach the DM and explain the problem and negotiate some appropriate resolution? If unqualified divers need too much handholding isn't this an issue with the diving professionals who take their money and throw them into the deep end?

Of course I'd be honest about my skills with anyone who asks. Lying to others is the same as lying to yourself. I'd try, to the best of my abilities, to keep up with a more experienced buddy and not to lessen their experience. I'd certainly not hesitate to ask for help if I knew, with my limited experience, that I was heading for trouble.

I'm sure that there are incompetant, uncaring and dangerous newbie IBs out there. From what I've read, I wonder if there aren't plenty of experienced IBs with the same qualities. Such are my scattered thoughts on this subject. If reading this makes you feel defensive and reactive perhaps you should honestly consider which type of experienced IB you are. You may react, defend, and flame at will. I've nothing more to say here.:10:

 

[nyprrthd]

:happyjaz:

 

[El Orans]

It is unfortunate that we can't always bring our trusted buddies on all of our dives.

I have the tendency to only dive with people I don't know in places where the stakes aren't high and where I can spend plenty of time shallow so that I can still enjoy the dive.

If I'm going to spend a great deal of money to get to a site, I want to be with people that embody a similar skill set as my own. There are certain dives I will no longer do with an insta buddy. It just isn't worth it any more.

Hear, hear...

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I will dive my plan. If an insta or any other buddy decides to change up in mid stream without any notice or if it has not been discussed previous that roles may change then they are on their own. I'm doing the duane and spiegel in about three weeks. The op I'm using requires AOW(which I realize can be meaningless) AND/OR recent logged experience with deep dives. As my fiance does not dive I'll be paired up with someone. I'll try to talk to them the day before and if not then on the way out. If I have any qualms about their abilities I'll let the captain or DM know and inform them I'd like another pairing or I'll just see about joining an existing pair if they'll have me. I've done deep, uw nav, drysuit, nitrox, and equip spec. I just did my first mandatory deco dive recently to 125 ft at 4000ft altitude, theoretical depth of 150-151ft, Will be doing two more next weekend. Specifically doing what training I can for my upcoming Fla trip. I will be prepared. If my "buddy" is not well like the shirt says "Sure you can dive with me! Surfacing however is another matter!"-Amphibious Outfitters.

 

[Charlie99]

I will dive my plan. If an insta or any other buddy decides to change up in mid stream without any notice or if it has not been discussed previous that roles may change then they are on their own.
...... I will be prepared. If my "buddy" is not, well like the shirt says "Sure you can dive with me! Surfacing however is another matter!".

Rarely have I disqualified someone as a potential buddy while on a boat.

In those few cases I've refused to dive with someone it was always because of attitude rather than experience level.

While part of my "insta-buddy" briefing is "NO SURPRISES", your eagerness to abandon a buddy would make me seriously question whether or not to go diving with you.

 

[superstar]

JimLap,
I would be proud to be your insta buddy.
RicRaeder,
I would be proud to be your insta buddy.