Lets look at things from a different angle.

[Diver Dennis]

Wow, here we go...again.

 

[ScubaJackie]

PF, dude...

 

[pilot fish]

PF, dude...

SJ, dudess........

 

[tjmills]

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.

I agree with this statement overall but I would like to find something out before others jump on this thread. I would like to ask you to be specific about what your "buddy concept" and "your responsibility as a buddy" is. Please explain your thoughts here.

 

[The Kraken]

It's time everyone reviewed the first post in this thread and brought the conversation back on topic.

the Kraken

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

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.

The implication here seems to be that team diving and self-reliance are mutually exclusive ... but they are not.

Each member of a buddy team can be, and should be, capable of getting him/herself out of most situations that a diver might reasonably anticipate happening ... just as a solo diver would. The smart diver will have practiced these scenarios, both in terms of self-rescue and in terms of anticipating and/or helping out a buddy.

We cannot anticipate all possible combinations of things that can go wrong. And for that reason one shouldn't rely solely on the buddy, but rather view the buddy system as adding a layer of redundancy ... and therefore safety ... that the solo diver (hopefully) acknowledges doesn't exist, and therefore prepares for and/or accepts as within acceptable limits.

Where the buddy system breaks down is in the fact that many (most?) OW classes will tell the student that they should dive with a buddy ... but not teach them proper techniques for doing so. Communication is reduced to a few hand signals. Situational awareness isn't discussed at all. Neither is proper gas management. Equipment configurations often don't take into account that you need to be able to reach your cutting device with either hand. “Lead-follow” buddy formations are taught, rather than side-by-side … increasing the possibility of buddy separation (and therefore the need to teach skills like CESA, which assumes that you’ve somehow managed to lose your dive buddy and subsequently run out of air).

Point being that self-sufficiency and buddy diving are not intended to be alternate approaches to the same goal … there are safety advantages to using both … but that is only true if, (a) the buddy system is properly taught and adhered to, and (b) both divers have committed themselves to developing proper self-sufficiency and self-rescue techniques.

Despite common misconceptions to the contrary, THAT is what the team approach to diving is all about.

… Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[pilot fish]

I agree with this statement overall but I would like to find something out before others jump on this thread. I would like to ask you to be specific about what your "buddy concept" and "your responsibility as a buddy" is. Please explain your thoughts here.

From DAN:

PLAN YOUR DIVE

Buddy Up. Select a partner who will enhance your enjoyment and safety. A good buddy is someone whose skills, abilities and attitude are complementary with your own.

Communication. Prior to your dive, make sure you’re both on the same dive plan. Discuss the maximum depth, maximum bottom time and minimum air supply to terminate the dive. Review basic hand signals and identify any pet or regional hand signals you may use.

Weathering it. When you get to your dive site, assess the physical situation. What are the tides like? What type of entry will you be making? What’s the weather like now? Will it change, according to reports? Does it look like "your kind of dive day," or should you think about sitting this one out? Discuss this with your buddy.

Equipment Familiarization. After checking out your own equipment, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the placement and operation of your buddy’s equipment. This a good learning experience, and it could help manage a later problem.

The Buddy Check. While suiting- and gearing up, conduct a pre-dive safety check on yourself and your buddy, and correct any problems you find. Minor inconveniences can add up to significant problems if not resolved early.

Me: to be able to offer air if one has gear failure and needs air.

 

[pilot fish]

NWDiver[[[view the buddy system as adding a layer of redundancy ... and therefore safety ]]]]]]]]

Exactly. Diver should take care of his own safety but be there as another safety layer for each other.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I do agree with you Gary. Do you think training should be slanted a little more to self sufficiency?

 

[The Kraken]

DD,

A good point . . . the opposite side of that coin, however, would be the question of whether or not the additional training would be more of an encouragement for new divers to dive solo.

the Kraken