Please Tell me if Im Wrong...

[DiveMom1927]

So, Yesterday it was a gorgeous day in Washington. I went on a dive at EUP with two friends. Slack tide was at 5:01pm so we got there at about 4:30 to gear up. We set our course and went in. I had dove with one of the divers numerous times and we are very compfortable in the water together ( He will be known as Diver A). The other diver is a friend of mine and we went through Advanced Open Water together, but I had not dove with him since (He will be Diver B). We went out to a buoy and all did a free decent together. The water was horrible! BARELY ANY VISIBILITY When we got to the very bottom, Diver A and I were there, I saw a glimpse of Diver B and then he dissappeared. After a minute Diver A and I decided to ascend to the surface and find Diver B. When he resurfaced a couple MINUTES later he was about 30 yards away from us. I said " How did you get all the way over there, why didnt you wait for us!" Diver B said " Im a fast swimmer, and diving with a Dry Suit is way different then a wetsuit so shut your mouth!" Appauled, I tried one more attempt to descend with these guys and had a hard time equalizing so went up. They were gone!!! I waited, what seemed like forever, for them to ascend and told them the issue... ( Me as a diver, would never get to the bottom without making sure my partner was with me!) So, when we all got together, I told them that I was aborting the dive and did my surface swim in. I felt there was a major disrespect for the common rules of buddy diving. If you want to solo dive, GO BY YOURSELF! When they finished their dive I told them that I couldnt trust them to have my well being at stake and that if something had happened to them I didnt want the guilt associated with not being able to help them cause they were not paying attention. Diver A said " This just means we have some stuff to work on diving together!" And I said - "No, BASIC diving rules are stay with your buddy, know where your buddy is at, and take care of your buddy..."

Am I wrong? They gave me alot of slack for aborting the dive. I feel like i did what was right for me. I waited for them to buddy up, and got out of the water. Let me know your input on this situation! I was so angry!!! In my opinion, Respect the Water, Know your equipment, conditions, dive plan and always keep an eye on your fellow divers!!! Input or suggestions please!!!

 

[ScubaTexan]

You did NOTHING WRONG! If you were the least bit uncomfortable about the dive, for ANY reason, you have every right to abort the dive. And never feel guilty about it or apologize for it. You don't owe them any explanation or apology.

In my opinion, Respect the Water, Know your equipment, conditions, dive plan and always keep an eye on your fellow divers!!!

Makes perfectly good sense to me. I applaud you and your decision...

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I feel like i did what was right for me.

Bingo. There's your answer. I also agree with the rest of your conclusions, but feel that the part I've quoted, should be underlined and bolded in bright red.

 

[Ben_ca]

I think it's time to go find better buddies... There's a few people up there who are pretty good mentors.... I would seek them out.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

So, Yesterday it was a gorgeous day in Washington. I went on a dive at EUP with two friends. Slack tide was at 5:01pm so we got there at about 4:30 to gear up. We set our course and went in. I had dove with one of the divers numerous times and we are very compfortable in the water together ( He will be known as Diver A). The other diver is a friend of mine and we went through Advanced Open Water together, but I had not dove with him since (He will be Diver B). We went out to a buoy and all did a free decent together. The water was horrible! BARELY ANY VISIBILITY When we got to the very bottom, Diver A and I were there, I saw a glimpse of Diver B and then he dissappeared. After a minute Diver A and I decided to ascend to the surface and find Diver B. When he resurfaced a couple MINUTES later he was about 30 yards away from us. I said " How did you get all the way over there, why didnt you wait for us!" Diver B said " Im a fast swimmer, and diving with a Dry Suit is way different then a wetsuit so shut your mouth!" Appauled, I tried one more attempt to descend with these guys and had a hard time equalizing so went up. They were gone!!! I waited, what seemed like forever, for them to ascend and told them the issue... ( Me as a diver, would never get to the bottom without making sure my partner was with me!) So, when we all got together, I told them that I was aborting the dive and did my surface swim in. I felt there was a major disrespect for the common rules of buddy diving. If you want to solo dive, GO BY YOURSELF! When they finished their dive I told them that I couldnt trust them to have my well being at stake and that if something had happened to them I didnt want the guilt associated with not being able to help them cause they were not paying attention. Diver A said " This just means we have some stuff to work on diving together!" And I said - "No, BASIC diving rules are stay with your buddy, know where your buddy is at, and take care of your buddy..."

Am I wrong? They gave me alot of slack for aborting the dive. I feel like i did what was right for me. I waited for them to buddy up, and got out of the water. Let me know your input on this situation! I was so angry!!! In my opinion, Respect the Water, Know your equipment, conditions, dive plan and always keep an eye on your fellow divers!!! Input or suggestions please!!!

You did the right thing ... if your buddy isn't where you can see and help each other, you're solo diving.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[DiveMom1927]

I Have already made the decision to never go diving with Diver B again. I got A LOT of flack from him about aborting the dive. Ultimately, the PADI rules are quite simple. We were taught a specific way of diving and I have no respect for the nauvice diver that decides to create his own rules. About his quote on " Wetsuits are different then Drysuits.." My comment back was " If you can not competently dive with a dry suit then maybe you shouldnt be using one!" I just want to know if there is any justification on his end that should make me rethink my decision. I know I am a good diver, Anybody out there in washington that wants to be my new dive buddy? Thanks for all of your insight!!!

 

[Spade]

Was there discussion before the dive about the three of you maintaining a buddy plan?

Did you discuss a "lost buddy plan" with each other before beginning the dive?

Anytime you are meeting new diver's to dive together, you have to consider that they don't know how you dive and it should be discussed before entering the water.

NAUI Seabag
Site survey
Emergency
Activity
Bouyancy
Air
Gear and Go

You aren't in the wrong for feeling offended by his response, however you cannot assume they follow your diving rules without having discussed them before entering the water.

 

[DiveMom1927]

Yes, we had talked about our plan. All of us had previously discussed that if we separated then to resurface and so forth. He also knows that i am a very by the book diver. I let him know that I feel most compfortable when my buddy is on my Right hand Side and so forth.... Thanks for your input. I will definately be a LOT more thourough ( Although I thought I was) when choosing a dive partner.

 

[scarefaceDM]

do not beat your self over that. anyone who calls a dive has no reason to feel guilty. Not in my book,and you never have to justify why. If you are not feeling it...no go ..call the dive. the other two can play with each other.

One observation is this. in POOR visability you should always try to acend a line. If there is no line..make one. Drop a line from your dive flag or from a float etc...A free acent with an unknow buddy, in this case diver B...well the result is what happened. The next thing is..diver A should have realized you were not close by..this is where touch communication is vital. Poor visability, your buddy should be relativley shoulder to shoulder with you. and touch communication should be estabilshed at any given time. A slight tap on the shoulder for I am here( left or right side) two taps for - something is wrong, I need your attention - three taps for bail/abort the dive followed by a thumbs up. For that you have to get right in his /her face and show the thumb or finger..which ever works for you.......... If you follow these simple tap communication skills...you are set for the low vis dives. But your buddy has to be on the same page as you...

This is where a dive plan should be estabished from the start. Especially if a buddy is missing. And if your diving with some one new...never assume. Make the plan.

as with the others..find other buddies.

 

[DiveMom1927]

THanks!!! Great advice!