Lets look at things from a different angle.

[Gary D.]

Thread after thread, no matter what the topic, it seems that a very large percentage of divers are going to rely solely on their buddy to either bail them out of trouble or at least assist. It may not be your buddy but a DM, Instructor or anyone else you’re diving with or around.

So what happens when both have a problem that “each” diver thinks they need assistance from their buddy?

I was reading a thread (not here) about an OOA situation. Nothing was mentioned other than get air from your buddy or another passing diver. Well, what if your buddy is out of air as well and you’re not diving off a cattle boat?

Another one was about an entanglement issue. Almost every reply I read said have your buddy get you free. Hummmm, what if it’s a big fishing net and your both tangled up as well and unable to free one another?

Ok so it’s not a fishing net but a bunch of fishing line or Spider Wire?

Many things can cause problems that could affect both buddies on the dive. So what are you going to do if your buddy is not there to help? Do you think you might be a Solo Diver at that point?

Just some food for thought.

Gary D.

 

[tparrent]

I always think of myself as a solo diver willing to help out those in need. I can't imagine assuming that my buddy would be near enough to help. Might be but I certainly wouldn't assume that.

I'm a newbie so I don't dive solo and I stick close to others but, in my head, I'm out there all alone should something go wrong.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Good point Gary. In the end you have to be level headed and competent enough to take care of yourself before you're able to help someone else.

 

[DandyDon]

I always think of myself as a solo diver willing to help out those in need. I can't imagine assuming that my buddy would be near enough to help. Might be but I certainly wouldn't assume that.

I'm a newbie so I don't dive solo and I stick close to others but, in my head, I'm out there all alone should something go wrong.

Good approach!

 

[rockjock3]

That is a good point that we must stay level headed. In response to what I would do for a situation such as my buddy and I both being entangled in a huge net (just choosing one situation). Well, we hopefully will both keep calm (pretty sure that won't be an issue with the people I dive with) and handle the situation. I could prepare for such things; i.e. bring my own chamber, sub, pocket buddy, chainsaw, 5 ponies, 3 regulators, 5 knives, and so on. I could also accept that one day I might very well find myself in a situation that I am not going to get out of. It would have to be a sitatution that both my buddy and I aren't going to get out of though as I do always dive with a buddy.

My point is, we can only prepare to a certain point before diving (or any thrill sport) becomes a chore and not worth doing any more. I prepare for the situations that I can prepare for and try not to worry too much about those that I can't do much about if they do. As long as I do that diving will be extremely safe and fun for me.

 

[Packhorse]

"Cattle boat" haha I love it!

Most of the diving I do I do solo. Even when I go out with my buddy. So I try to be preparded and dont take stupid risks. I carry 2 knives so I know I can always get one if the other is lost or out of reach. If diving below 20m I make sure I stick with my buddy and take along my pony bottle.
I will never rely on my buddy, Not because he is unrelyable but because when I may need him he may need me.

 

[elmbruker]

I wouldn't consider myself a solo diver, but as an independent diver teamed up with another independent diver to make a competent team that's planed based on skill level, and dives the plan. Buddy's rule! But being independent I wouldn't expect you to check my air(in the water), and I shouldn't expect to borrow your dive light(in the water).

Entanglement of both diver's? Think I would be on my own, and so would buddy...at least until one of us got untangled and could safely help the other. If not safe unfortunately we are still on your own either way.

Bruke

 

[ba_hiker]

If you are diving as or with a dependent diver then the your buddy team is often weaker than if you are alone. Redundency, as I understand it the goal of buddy team diving, requires that you both be able to take care of your selves at all times. Any thing less than this and you have situations where you have no redundency.

 

[tjmills]

Thread after thread, no matter what the topic, it seems that a very large percentage of divers are going to rely solely on their buddy to either bail them out of trouble or at least assist. It may not be your buddy but a DM, Instructor or anyone else you’re diving with or around.

So what happens when both have a problem that “each” diver thinks they need assistance from their buddy?

I was reading a thread (not here) about an OOA situation. Nothing was mentioned other than get air from your buddy or another passing diver. Well, what if your buddy is out of air as well and you’re not diving off a cattle boat?

Another one was about an entanglement issue. Almost every reply I read said have your buddy get you free. Hummmm, what if it’s a big fishing net and your both tangled up as well and unable to free one another?

Ok so it’s not a fishing net but a bunch of fishing line or Spider Wire?

Many things can cause problems that could affect both buddies on the dive. So what are you going to do if your buddy is not there to help? Do you think you might be a Solo Diver at that point?

Just some food for thought.

Gary D.

I have made several comments on this board where people have issues and immediately blame the buddy for a mistake. They were more than 6 inches away and scared them the whole dive or were looking at the reef instead of them the whole time and the vortex downdraft almost pulled them into the abyss and killed them. ect. ect. ect. The list is long.....

I have always counted on a buddy as nothing more or less than safety margin. I am responsible for myself and will do whatever I can and have to do to help someone else who is in trouble. I will always do my best to be there for them and hope they do the same for me but I won't count on it and I won't blame them for mistakes I make. I practice taking off my own gear, I carry appropriate safety gear for the environments I dive and I don't dive in environments that I am not prepared for.

Panic is the real killer and overcoming that is the MOST important thing that anyone can practice and learn about.

 

[terrasmak]

Lets see both out of air ,in a fishing net etc etc , just have to realize it may be your day to die. But if you make it out OK , one hell of a story to sit around a drink a beer to.