Lets look at things from a different angle.

[pilot fish]

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.

The whole concept of buddying,[ every book and agency on scuba states it is dangerous to dive alone and recommends you do not dive alone] is to be there close to offer assistance if you have a gear failure and need air etc. You do not dive with the idea that a buddy will get you out of every emergency but the buddy concept is to add a safety measure for each diver. That is why we all carry octo's- the octo is for the other diver, your buddy. Would you dive to depth with a diver that did not have an alternate air source? Of course not.

This posturing online about self reliance seem to diminish the buddy responsibilty. If you do not feel you have a responsibilty to your buddy, you should not be in the water. If you make it clear to your buddy that he is on his own in the water, no matter what, he will not be your buddy long.

 

[pilot fish]

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.

That is fine if it is understood that you all will be there if one diver has a problem, diving in a group. If that is understood before hand, that is fine. I have called ahead to say I need to buddy with a diver of similar experience, or as close to it as possible, and I was YES'd and it ignored it not taken care of.

 

[Vayu]

That is why we all carry octo's- the octo is for the other diver, your buddy.

Actually, my 'octopus' is for me! My buddy would be much more happy just taking the regulator from my mouth. I would be happy with him/her, as well.

That said, alot of people don't even carry a second second stage.

I'm all for buddy diving. Its a great system when you know the abilities of your buddy and work well togethor. It is not that great of a system when it is a random meet before the dive. For people who are determined to dive with strangers, having self reliance is a good idea.

For the rest of us, it can't hurt. Personally, I don't dive unless I have a good buddy. I also do not make the first dive with a new buddy in hazardous environments.

If you are truly embracing the buddy system, then you must examine the word itself. It certainly does not mean 'someone I was paired up with before jumping in the ocean'. You can't have it both ways. You have a good buddy, or you are solo.

-V

 

[pilot fish]

That is why we all carry octo's- the octo is for the other diver, your buddy.

Actually, my 'octopus' is for me! My buddy would be much more happy just taking the regulator from my mouth. I would be happy with him/her, as well.

That said, alot of people don't even carry a second second stage.

I'm all for buddy diving. Its a great system when you know the abilities of your buddy and work well togethor. It is not that great of a system when it is a random meet before the dive. For people who are determined to dive with strangers, having self reliance is a good idea.

For the rest of us, it can't hurt. Personally, I don't dive unless I have a good buddy. I also do not make the first dive with a new buddy in hazardous environments.

-V

I'm not following , Vayu, are you saying your octo is ONLY for you and that you dive with buddies that have NO alternate air source? Who dives with no alternate air source? huh?

 

[Vayu]

No I'm just saying that the octopus is my backup, and I don't give it to my buddy. I give them my primary hose and then switch to the backup.

-V

 

[pilot fish]

Board, there are new divers reading this so let's be clear on what an octo is for, that everyone should have an alternate air souce and the PROPER concept of buddying.

 

[ScubaJackie]

By self reliance I mean that I look to myself first to prevent and solve problems (in all things, not just diving). Once those options are exhusted, then I would look to an external source. This is not "internet posturing", this is a mindset.

Another way to look at it. Buddy means always being there to help your buddy, but not expecting help in return. That is assume the worst, you will be willing and able to help them, but for what ever reason they will not be able to help you.

Bottom line: Buddy does not equat security blanket.

But what do I know? I'm just a "newbie"...

 

[pilot fish]

No I'm just saying that the octopus is my backup, and I don't give it to my buddy. I give them my primary hose and then switch to the backup.

-V

Oh, you have air2? I have the same thing, they get my primary and I take the reg in inflator hose. That is something different, if I understand what you are saying?

 

[Vayu]

I've got a regulator on a necklace.

The AIR2 scares me since I don't like the inflator to be attached to my mouth during ascent.

-V

 

[pilot fish]

By self reliance I mean that I look to myself first to prevent and solve problems (in all things, not just diving). Once those options are exhusted, then I would look to an external source. This is not "internet posturing", this is a mindset.

Another way to look at it. Buddy means always being there to help your buddy, but not expecting help in return. That is assume the worst, you will be willing and able to help them, but for what ever reason they will not be able to help you.

Bottom line: Buddy does not equat security blanket.

But what do I know? I'm just a "newbie"...

Yes, everyone should be self reliant but be able to offer assistance when it is needed. You need to understand the buddy concept and YOUR responsibility as a buddy.