As a new diver, i'm surprised to see that some have complete dependence in their buddy as their independent air source.
Probably, because that is what they (and you) were taught. Recreational diving, as taught by most major agencies, relies upon the buddy system to mitigate certain obvious risks.
The problem with that system isn't the system itself, it is the application of that system by divers. Basically, some divers get lazy or 'clever' and let their adherence to the system fall into disuse. It's really nothing more than the negligent omission of their training. We call those divers
'insta-buddies', because you typically encounter them on holiday.
Having said that, in respect of air-sharing, to have complete dependance on a buddy it is also necessary to have planned and managed the divers' gas prior to the dive. The absense of effective
gas management training at the entry-level causes a definate weakness in the system.
My personal feeling is that (again as a new diver) if i go to a resort or dive site and get paired with a total strange.....it becomes my responsibility to check their kit (buddy system) and double check my own.
When
wasn't it your responsibility to double check your own gear, and provide a confirmatory check on your buddy's gear prior to a dive??
Of course this is a different story when you work with someone all the time and understand each others expectations and way of working.
I don't see the difference? Having a reliable buddy
should mean that the drills and procedures are more robust.... not the other way around.
The thing that really worries me, is that if there were an OOA situation or emergency, theres no telling how they will react or whether they are capable to help, thus making me assume that i need to be self sufficient and effectively a "Solo" diver. Any help in addition is a bonus.
Self-sufficiency and Solo diving are different concepts IMHO.
Every diver should be capable of taking responsibility for their own safety underwater. That
isn't self-sufficiency.... it is a requirement of entry-level training. The fact that this requirement isn't achieved by certain students (and certain instructors) shouldn't mean that self-sufficiency training is needed to remedy it. That would simply mean adding more advanced training to remediate against weak application of basic training.
Self-sufficiency training is kind of unnecessary if divers got the basics right. The increasing availability of that specialist training is a testamony to the failures of diving training schemes in creating divers with the mindset and motivation to actually apply the foundation skills they learn at the earliest stages of development.
The point i'm trying to clarify i suppose, is why is solo diving so far out of reach for new divers and risk assessed out of the syllabus for the more main stream certificating bodies?
Because most divers opt for a McDiving course, that includes a meagre 4 open-water dives and doesn't teach them sufficiently to have ingrained skills or an appropriate mindset to safely mitigate the risks of solo diving.
A cheap and cheerful McDiving course is fine for most people - but it has to be twinned with certain limitations. Easy come, easy go.
Dive within the limits of your training
and experience. Basic training
equals basic diving
equals safety.
The concept of 'limiting' the extent and technicality of the dives, makes perfect sense because the training is also very limited.
...you get what you pay for...