New Dive Buddies

[Divemastr]

Oh, and also ask them about their air consumption, and octo.


DSAXE01 had a good point about the equipment familiarity. Especially where the alternate air is included with the BCD inflator. Work out the OOA scenario so that you are both comfortable with how it would proceed. Try out the alternate air source while at surface or even better while on boat. Be familiar with how it works. As you will be new buddys, it won't hurt if you bump into each other some as you work at staying realtively close particularly if you are drift diving. Better than being too far apart.

 

[Willar]

I went on a Blackbeard's cruise as a single and had to find a dive buddy. I didn't want stuck with a "zoomer" or a dork who dog paddles the whole time. I just unpacked my gear and did a lot of listening to people talk about what they've done. I scratched off the list the braggart, the newbies, the guy who couldn't set up his gear, the know-it-all videographer. I started talking to a few who seemed to know what they were doing and asked basic questions about experience. I found a nice guy who had plenty of experience and was intelligent. After talking for some time we agreed to buddy up for the trip. We made sure we were familiar with each other's setup, octo, air consumption, etc. It all worked out fine.

 

[StSomewhere]

To the original poster (JasonH20), notice that everyone tells you to dive with a more experienced diver, and yet many of the experienced divers eliminated you as a potential dive buddy because you would be a newbie. An interesting Catch-22 you should be aware of...

 

[OE2X]

The lucky thing for JasonH2o is that he is in a community where there are a lot of dive clubs and lots of experienced divers that will be more than willing to take him out until he gains the experience that he needs.

One thing that Jason has going for him that makes me look forward to diving with him is that he has the right kind of attitude. Personally I think this guy will turn into an excellent diver no matter how far he chooses to take it.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

To the original poster (JasonH20), notice that everyone tells you to dive with a more experienced diver, and yet many of the experienced divers eliminated you as a potential dive buddy because you would be a newbie. An interesting Catch-22 you should be aware of...

I dunno ... I'm looking forward to diving with him, and I'm kind've experienced ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[OE2X]

I dunno ... I'm looking forward to diving with him, and I'm kind've experienced ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Kind've experienced?

No Bob, you are a diving god in my log book.

 

[fugu]

Couple things I would recommend when pairing up with a dive buddy....( in addtion to all the great recommendations the other guys have made here)

I would say try to stay with someone with a similar rig. Once I dove on a single tank with a buddy of mine who had twin cylinders. Since his gas supply wasnt a large consideration on the dive we were doing, he didnt seem to comprehend I was on a more limited supply. It's going to limit your buddies dive and to a degree make you feel compelled to stay longer than you should. Always stick with the plan, even if you feel like you're ripping off your buddy.

I'm not sure if you've done equipment matching with a dive buddy, but it doesnt take long, makes you more familiar with your buddy's gear, organizational & communication skills and it's even good to go over everthing you have on and where it's located as a quick reminder to yourself. You may pick up a problem you didnt notice before and you can do it on the boat or even in the water if it's not too choppy.

cheers,
Clay

 

[StSomewhere]

I dunno ... I'm looking forward to diving with him, and I'm kind've experienced ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Well said, its great that some experienced (OK, extremely experienced!!!) divers will dive with newer divers. Doesn't happen a lot around here. Can I add "saint" to the list, or does being a diving god already automatically include that?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Well said, its great that some experienced (OK, extremely experienced!!!) divers will dive with newer divers. Doesn't happen a lot around here. Can I add "saint" to the list, or does being a diving god already automatically include that?

Let's just say what comes around goes around ... one of my earliest mentors was a guy who had logged over 8,000 dives, and yet he was kind enough to spend some time with a newb and show me what being a diver was all about.

Mentors have always been, and remain, the cornerstone of dive education ... and most serious divers learn more outside the classroom than in.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[JasonH20]

I dunno ... I'm looking forward to diving with him, and I'm kind've experienced ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Bob and OE2X, not sure what I did, but I'm looking forward to diving with you too! Hopefully everything works out for next weekend with my dive with OE2X.

I'm up getting ready for my last 2 "dry suit" cert classes this morning. Kinda funny since my 4 OW cert dives were already in a dry suit, but I'm not complaining. After today, I'll be done with classes for a bit, so here I come.!

So funny story about my wife and you two. When I asked about diving with OE2X next weekend, my wife replied with something along the lines of, "how do you know they're not a some kind of internet physcos!" I tried to explain than unless SB is a huge consperiacy to kill me, I think I'll be fine. I think I've finally convinced her I'll be alright, but now she keeps finding friend's of friend's who use to dive. She'll come home saying her coworkers husband's brother use to dive 4 years ago, you should go dive with him.

So again, thanks for the support. I'll let you know how today's dives went, and talk to you soon!

Jason