Lets look at things from a different angle.

[Loneranger]

I dove off cattle boats for years and was paired with the odd diver left. It does not take you long to realize with the lack of familarity of each others abilities and experience you are already putting yourself in a situation. (Like getting paired with the diver that could not figure out which side the regs install on the BC). So this diver is going to be able to give me assistance if I need it? Eventually you realize I am pretty much on my own and better be responsible for myself. I used to take people out on my boat until a "certified diver" ended up with DCS because he was holding his breath alot of the dive. My last 300-400 dives have been solo and have been some of my best.

 

[The Kraken]

tparrent,
That is an excellent perspective from which to dive. It enforces self reliance and self sufficiency.

You will do well . . .

the Kraken

 

[Skeeter1097]

terramak I was thinking the same thang. Both out of air and in a fishing net. This two divers must work for [green pease] or save the [fish inc].
Or just having a realy bad day.

 

[matt_unique]

This is precisely why I believe 100% in the solo way. Two solo divers are better buddies than two non-solo divers.

--Matt

 

[Gary D.]

(the diver that could not figure out which side the regs install on the BC).

I like this one, but isn't that why some get 7' hoses? Then it doesn't matter.

Some good replies guys/gals

Gary D.

 

[pilot fish]

Being a lone traveler, non diving spouse, I encounter the buddy problem all the time. Some times it is good, but most times it is to bad, gettting buddies of varying dive experience, from newbie doing first dive,[ I will not buddy with that kind of diver any longer] to very experienced divers that you would love to dive with every dive trip. I have even had 3 different buddies on 3 different dives in one day, that ran the gamit from excellent to abysmal. It is a situation I have to deal with a lot and is of great concern for me.

Another problem is some divers just don't have the same idea of what a buddy means as you do. The book definition is one thijng, the real dive world is quite another, I find. I cannot travel with a pony and have a feeling a pony would give me a false or distorted sense of safety. Yes, you have to rely on yourself and all that but every book on scuba says do not, as in, never, dive alone. Some times that is what happens, you are at depth and you are really by yourself.

Yes, you can rent a DM for the dive but that is unfair to have to encur that expense for every dive. I think PART of a DM's responsibility is to see that each diver is buddied. It is better for the diver, and better for him, the DM.

 

[ScubaJackie]

I am responsible for myself. It is unfair and and very unwise to expect anyone else to be responsible for me. My goal is to continue to improve and become an "independant diver", to become self-reliant. I belive this will make diving more enjoyable as well as safer.

 

[captain]

PF, I have read your posts on your buddy problems and Gary D goes to the heart of your problems. Until you give up the buddy concept as a safety device and view it as a sharing of the love of diving with someone who may or may not be capable of helping you and become totally reliant on yourself in all aspects of your diving you will continue to have buddy problems. Take a solo diving course even if you never intend to dive solo.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I think a big part of the buddy dilema is clear, concise communication before you get on the boat or even before you get to the dive destination. It is not difficult to let the shop know your concerns and I would bet that the shop would make sure you are taken care of. I live in a resort location most of the time and we get divers that require extra supervision. A lot of times the diving is done in more of a group configuration than strictly paired buddies, so you have more than one person around you all the time. Any diver that makes it clear they are a bit nevous will have someone keep an eye on them all the time or will be assigned a specific buddy. Ths is true of every where I've been diving.

 

[The Kraken]

"clear, concise communication"

.... Aaaaamen !!!

the K