No Buddy now what ?

[Barry_Calgary]

Hi All, If I go on vacation without a fellow diver to be my buddy is it commonplace to ask fellow divers on the boat if I can Buddy with them even though they already have a buddy ? So then there would be Three of us ?
Thanks,
Barry

 

[rhwestfall]

usually it can be coordinated through the shop, boat captain, or DM if one will be aboard. Let them know your situation, and it should be all set before you are heading out.... been there, done that.

 

[ScubaSteve1962]

where are you going? some of the island require a guide in the water. And if it's typical vacation spot, there are usually other divers without a buddy. So it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[g1138]

rhwestfall pretty much answered the question.

But I'm sure you're wondering if diving in a three man team is ok?
I say it's perfectly fine but it introduces new problems. When you're diving in a buddy team rather than as a buddy pair you have to focus more on staying in relative formation, checking ever teammate equally, and staying within visual range for everyone in the group. This is equally every team member's responsibility.

There's also more complex pre-dive planning that has to take place such as what each diver should do in the event of an emergency.

That being said, if everyone in the team understands that, there shouldn't be a problem diving with more than 1 buddy.

 

[BabyDuck]

it is fine to ask the captain/crew to help you find a buddy, and it is fine to ask a pair if they'd be willing to have a third. don't get your feelings hurt if the answer is 'no, not this time' - there might be legit reasons.

it is up to you to interview your possible buddy and get on as much the same page as possible. do you have the same signals for how much gas you have left? important - ask me how i know. is one of you fast and one planning on taking pictures? not gonna work. do a search for 'instabuddy' and try not to be that guy, but learn tips on what *to* do from the comments.

with a bit of planning, being instabuddies can be very safe and very fun, but that planning and communication is critical.

 

[soltari675]

Whenever I travel away from home, I am always the only diver. When I book my trip with the dive shop, I usually let them know I am alone and I will be looking for a buddy. So far I haven't had any trouble getting one this way. I also found that posting here on scubaboard will get you buddies as well.

 

[k ellis]

Ive dove in a formation of 5 man teams. Nothing really bad about it just make sure you go over the basics like others have said. Depending on the conditions it can be extremely easy or extremely difficult. If its a clear water dive then dont worry about it. Besides you never know till you ask

 

[RTee]

During my last trip South (Cozumel), my GF had brought her two teenagers with her. Therefore she could not dive as much with me as we usually do. She did 8 dives and I did 21 which meant that I ended up by myself most of the time on the boat. Knowing most of the DMs from previous visit resulted with me being paired a couple times with them or with other folks. Diving Nitrox ensured that most folks I dove with were relatively experienced and I even recalled one or two outings that we ended up diving threesome just because I got to know the regular divers who were also there for the weeks. As someone else said, just mention it to the DS when you register in location and normally the Dm will try to pair you with somebody that is fairly similar to you in terms of experience or air consumption.

 

[RonFrank]

Finding a buddy is not generally an issue. Finding a buddy that is worth a damn is. I started carrying a pony for this reason. Buddies that would run outta air 30 minutes into a 25' dive, buddies that would go full speed, it became more of an exercise in babysitting or trying to catch these fools. Now if I find a good buddy awesome, if not no big deal. Having a buddy for the sake of having a buddy is pointless. I prefer a good buddy, but they are not always that easy to find.

 

[SolarStorm]

I finally have 4 people in the family diving now. However, diving solo looking for a buddy has good and bad points.

First on asking to be a third. If it was me and one of my daughters, no problem. Me and my wife who is timid and nervous, I would see if there was anyone else you could buddy with.

Even with all of the divers now in the family, I tend to dive a lot more and need a buddy 50% of the time. I have never been without,, save once where the DM said to buddy with him. Usually not a good buddy, as his focus is not you but the entire dive group. You must pretty much stick with him, no chasing the fish.

That being said, of the buddies I have had, 90% of them have been interesting people to dive with. Talk lots with your new buddy on the trip out. How you dive, ensure signals are understood. Even get a translator if required. The best instant buddy I had didnt speak the same language as me and I had to use my wife to translate. We did 3 more dives together, and still keep in contact, my Italian is slowly improving although not as fast as his english. The 10% bad, well dont sweat it. Chalk it up to learning. The things I didnt like about some instant buddies is the type of same ocean buddy, so I simply resort to following them. Even then you can learn something maybe they search for different things swim too fast or too slow. Just dont buddy with them again.

Every time I do an instant buddy, I ask when they are going next. That way, if you liked them as a buddy, you might be able ensure you go at the same time, or if you didnt enjoy the dive, then that dive might be one to avoid.

The only real sad part about the poor buddy is that I tend to get focused on that experience, and it usually takes my wife to remind me to forget it and remember the great dives.