Is a Dive Buddy Necessary?

[k2x5]

Hi All,

I am going to be taking my open water certification at the end of June, and there really doesn't seem to be a lot of people into diving in my area, (Mostly a retirement area)

I was curious, is it really necessary to haev a dive partner? Most of the diving in the area will be on shipwrecks in (Usually) no more than 30 feet of water.

I don't mean to say I don't want a diving partner, or that I'm too macho for a dive buddy at all. The class will probably have abot 10 people in it, so I will do my absolute best to get a dive partner, and I will be at the LDS to check out/post on the bulletin board for one, not to mention talking to the owner, whos's a total riot....

I just mean, Is it alright to dive without?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[mossym]

is it okay to dive without a buddy? no, especially at the start. You'll have no experience, which makes it more dangerous in the first place. If anything goes wrong with your air supply, your backup is on your buddy's back. If you don't have a buddy, then you don't have spare air. Also, what if you get stuck on something on the wreck, who's going to get you free. You also shouldn't be doing too much messing around on wrecks until you have execllent bouyancy control

if you can't get a buddy, joina club and dive with them until you are better able to decide on a buddy..

 

[markfm]

30' may seem trivial, but can be a long distance if something goes "whoops". Water a bit brisk? -- think of it as a public service to have a dive buddy, to let him/her get a laugh when you practice mask clearing (It's nice to have someone else in the area if it comes off -- you might be surprised, but at least for me it took a conscious effort to breathe again in 40F water, and I don't think I'd want to bolt to the surface after spending significant time at even 30'. All went well, a good time, but I, at least, plan to make sure I go out with a DM for near-term dives; cheap life insurance as I start real diving and still keep working those basic CYA skills.)

 

[mle_osu]

I realize that those new to diving or with fewer dives under their belt should always dive with a buddy. I actually think EVERYONE should dive with a buddy - something can always go wrong. However, I read a post (http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=76075&highlight=solo+diving) and it seemed as when "solo diving" was mentioned, it was talking about diving alone... not just a single diver diving "buddiless" with others (like a third wheel). Correct me if I am wrong in my thinking. Was "solo diving" refering to something else?

 

[Kestrell]

Yes, dive buddies do come in handy from time to time. I would not dive without one.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Its alway advisable to dive with a competent and inshape dive buddy. I prefer this anyday over solo diving.

 

[dbg40]

While I am a notorious solo diver, I only got here from MUCH experience. solo divers (at least the ones I know) are well trained and anal about the selection, inspection, and care of their gear. all the things that you may well learn, IN TIME. Yes you DO need a buddy I cant begin to tell you everything that could give you "issues" in the water and it would be well worth your while to have a buddy with you,if not to help at least to take picturesfor later blackmail !

 

[BIGSAGE136]

Other times they just tell you what you want to hear, or what they would like to hear themselves tell you. The following advice comes from the heart and is also born of experience.

Never, ever, dive without a buddy. Get it into your lifestyle. Burn it into your mind.

Things happen.

They are called accidents for a reason.

 

[k2x5]

Well, like I said... I will still be doing my best to get a dive buddy. My girlfriend may be taking the course with me, so that may help some.

We live on a Resort, (http://www.tapatoo.com ) in Semi-Northern Ontario, Canada (Her parent's own it) so at first, after the course we will likely start out diving there. Partially because we know the lake very well, and partially becasue it's one of the warmer lakes around the area, also it doesn't go below about 15 feet deep until a good 500 or so feet out.

I don't intend to move up to wreck diving until I have learned (Or rather figured out) a great deal more about diving.

I can't wait till next week... I'm going into the LDS where I will later be taking my course to get my books so I can start reading and learning early.

 

[triton94949]

Hi All,

I am going to be taking my open water certification at the end of June, and there really doesn't seem to be a lot of people into diving in my area, (Mostly a retirement area)

I was curious, is it really necessary to haev a dive partner? Most of the diving in the area will be on shipwrecks in (Usually) no more than 30 feet of water.

I don't mean to say I don't want a diving partner, or that I'm too macho for a dive buddy at all. The class will probably have abot 10 people in it, so I will do my absolute best to get a dive partner, and I will be at the LDS to check out/post on the bulletin board for one, not to mention talking to the owner, whos's a total riot....

I just mean, Is it alright to dive without?

Thanks for any advice.

Unless you are a divemaster certified by one of the major agencies, you certainly should not dive solo.