R DM's solo divers?

[RonFrank]

Curious what people's opinions are on this. I've not done a ton of dives with a DM guide. One one boat we had two DM's that lead, but they did not really dive as buddies. On another boat we had one DM, and she did not really buddy up with anyone. Yet on a third boat the DM buddied up with me, but I think that was more for my benifit, however we did dive as buddies as the other couple were experienced on the wreck we dove.

Based on my limited experience, and talking with those that have dove with DM's it seems to me that DM's are really diving often solo even if they are part of the group. I mean, each diver has a buddy, and the teams generally stay with the DM, but no one is really responsible for watching the DM's back.

So I'm interested in opinions from others that have done guided dives, and especially DM's .

R DM's really solo divers? Or do most buddy up with a team, or a diver, and I've just never really noticed?

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

R DM's really solo divers? Or do most buddy up with a team, or a diver, and I've just never really noticed?

When they're working it might appear so, supervising a buddy team isn't quite solo diving though. If something goes wrong with the DM hopefully they will be able to get your attention and assistance if needed. Mostly they are watching out for the buddy team, ensuring that they react to situations as necesary.

When I'm not working I follow the buddy-diving protocol prescribed by my agency. I've made a couple short, specific purpose (set/retrieve a flag or such) dives where I only had surface support. But I don't see myself venturing out alone anytime soon. I don't have any issues with those that accept the risk, but I won't at this point. And its a different discussion anyway.

 

[Charlie99]

Divers in a group aren't always buddied up. Most of the dive ops I use in Maui use the "loose buddy" system. There is a DM guiding the dive. People that came with buddies stay with that buddy. People that came to the boat without a buddy dive with the group and ascend with others that hit ascent pressure at about the same time. Your redundant air source is the closest octopus that doesn't have 8 legs.

Neither the DM nor the unaccompanied divers have a formal buddy, but since the DM is leading the dive, hopefully one of the six or so other divers would notice if he was having some sort of problem.

 

[boulderjohn]

A buddy system does not have to be exactly two people. As someone who vacations with a non-diving wife, I almost always have to look for a new buddy on each boat trip. I have frequently joined a nother buddy team, forming a group of three. We just keep an eye one each other. The loose team described above is another example of it. If the DM is doing his or her job, he or she will always be near enough to others for safety.

 

[Diver0001]

R DM's really solo divers? Or do most buddy up with a team, or a diver, and I've just never really noticed?

A lot of people say this but I don't really think so. I think solo diving means that that nobody could *possibly* help you. A DM leading a group is not in that position.

That said, many groups are full of divers who are not *likely* to help you, either because the divers are preoccupied with their own dive or they're too far away from you or they don't have the skills. In that sense, I think the DM should have self-rescue skills on par with a solo diver.

R..

 

[DandyDon]

DM guides seem to usually not actually adopt a buddy on a dive as they may feel a sudden need to go to another diver's aid - leaving a buddy alone.

Had this happen in Coz once. We were diving as a buddy-group except I had one young lady who went into diving to overcome a fear of water. OW certified but had been in Coz for days without her first dive. We finally got her in the water with the DM for a buddy, only for him to have to abandon her to aid a vacation diver in trouble. I picked her up, but she was terrified. Don't know that she ever dived again.

So yeah, DM guides are usually solo diving, and if they take a buddy they usually don't expect any help from that diver. I try to help watch out for them, but never seen one need help.

 

[Scuba Brad]

Don how do you get your mask on over that hat?

Happy Diving

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Dive leaders are diving alone. They'd better be prepared for that obviously.

 

[Xman]

I would say when I DM I am in effect group diving
Whilst I don't have a specific buddy to rely on, the group is following me. I have a fair amount of confidence that in the event that I have a problem where I can't swim to one of them, that one of the group will see my signalling and help out.
Not as safe as buddy diving with a good buddy, but better than same ocean buddies, since they need to watch me to follow,

 

[Mike Veitch]

Ahh, Ron, i am impressed! I didn't think anyone cared about us dm dive scum....