Is a Dive Buddy Necessary?

[BIGSAGE136]

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

Only now you're working!

 

[trevinkorea]

I completely agree with the previous comments.

Solo diving is not something a newer diver should even think about considering. All it takes is one stray line to snag you or one buckle to come loose and you may well find yourself in a very challenging situation. I find, it's little things that cause a dive to go south. And, when they compile, you're in real trouble.

That said, I have done some solo dives. Not becuase it was my first choice, but rather I had to escape from a dive "buddy" who was doing everything possible to kill me. I had to do some time in the shallows to offgas. If you are in a situation where your buddy is a serious liability to both or your safety, then I would suggest it is best to call the dive and if you have to do a safety stop then, go solo if it is safer.

Solo dive only if there is no other option available and you can not safely call the dive and surface.

I don't know about the comment that you should be a DM before solo diving. There are many DM's that I wouldn't even consider as a dive buddy. If you have a great deal of experiene (not 1 or 200 dives) and your equipped and completely confident go for it in a controlled environment.

As a newer diver Never do it by choice.

 

[BIGSAGE136]

I completely agree with the previous comments.

Solo diving is not something a newer diver should even think about considering. All it takes is one stray line to snag you or one buckle to come loose and you may well find yourself in a very challenging situation. I find, it's little things that cause a dive to go south. And, when they compile, you're in real trouble.

That said, I have done some solo dives. Not becuase it was my first choice, but rather I had to escape from a dive "buddy" who was doing everything possible to kill me. I had to do some time in the shallows to offgas. If you are in a situation where your buddy is a serious liability to both or your safety, then I would suggest it is best to call the dive and if you have to do a safety stop then, go solo if it is safer.

Solo dive only if there is no other option available and you can not safely call the dive and surface.

I don't know about the comment that you should be a DM before solo diving. There are many DM's that I wouldn't even consider as a dive buddy. If you have a great deal of experiene (not 1 or 200 dives) and your equipped and completely confident go for it in a controlled environment.

As a newer diver Never do it by choice.

That's the working part. They hook the wrecks while us weenies set our camera aps.

 

[jokeborn]

You may be surprised by the number of divers in your area. Your LDS should know about dive groups and even individuals in the area. One of the LDS in my area posts a buddy board-people who are interested in getting wet. Ask them, check the area specific parts of this board and just look around. I'm still new to diving, and while I have gained confidence, I still feel nowhere near ready to go solo.

 

[boulderjohn]

OK, here is some practical advice from someone in your situation. My wife is a confirmed nondiver, but she loves to snorkel and generally vacation in areas with good diving. I would therefore guess that I have done about, oh, 120 dives where I walked into the situation not having any idea what I was going to do for a buddy.

No problem.

Just let the situation be known, and you will get hooked up somehow. If you are on a a boat with a divemaster, that person will work to get you set up. You may be in a buddy trio rather than a pair, but you will be with someone.

In summary, do dive with a buddy, but just because you don't have a buddy when you go to the dive site soes not mean you will not have one when the dive begins.

 

[H2Andy]

ok... here's my 4 cents

--just because you're diving with someone doesn't mean they know how to be a buddy

--diving with someone who doesn't know how to be a buddy is just as dangerous,
if not more so, than diving solo

--if you are going to dive solo (whether with a non-buddy or by yourself), be aware of the risks and seek to minimize them.

--ideally, you will dive as a team, with both buddies aware of the other member of the team at all times. this is absolutely the safest way to dive.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

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?

[HIJACK] Hi Emily,

You were not wrong in your thinking. "Solo diving" did not refer to something else.

'Solo diving' is one of several hot button topics on Scuba Board (others include 'pony bottle', 'spare air', 'Air II', etc.) which have ascended to the status of 'great debates' in the field. They reappear cyclically on the board, every couple months or so, and inspire the same sort of spirited arguments each time (but generally from different folks, the prior debaters having grown weary of flogging the dead horse during previous free-for-alls).

As with most other debates (capital punishment, abortion, gun control, light beer)( ) there is no universally recognized right or wrong - you simply believe one position or the other.

Some say solo diving will (eventually) kill you. Some liken solo diving to zen meditation (or else they are photographers taking 45 minutes to set up the perfect shot, which would bore any sane buddy to tears, and which the photographer might liken to zen meditation anyway). Such is the beauty of living in a free pluralistic society!

Dive however you like, [/HIJACK]

Doc

 

[mle_osu]

[HIJACK] Hi Emily,

....

Dive however you like, [/HIJACK]

Doc

I wasnt Hijacking - or meaning to - I was just pointing out that people were so insistent on diving with a buddy though there were so many divers that do (from the post I mentioned). I realize there will always be controversy on every topic.. I just thought I would clarify that solo diving was related to diving alone and that more people than probably should actually do it. I agree that one should always dive with a buddy.

 

[H2Andy]

lol emily, he meant he was hijacking your question

and he's right... this is one of those "never ending debates"

just minimize your risks, which means being aware of them to begin with

but if i had a choice, i'd dive with a good buddy every single time

 

[mrobinson]

Hey man and welcome... if you're looking for a dive buddy, there's some out there. This forum:
http://www.mossmanscubaventures.com/
has a ton of divers from out east that will dive with you and point you in the right DIRection. (you'll find a four hour drive is nothing for a diver!)