Seeking a more quality diving experience

[sbrown4292]

Hi all,
I recently went diving in Cozumel. Thre first couple days I did my AOW with a single instructor and it was great. When that was completed, I did a drift dive from a boat. There was probably eight of us. As you may know, drift diving is unique in that it requires the group to get in the water quickly and to pretty much stay together. I got buddied up with a guy with a camera and I then spent the next 45 minutes watching him take pictures and pretty much missing out on the things I like to see and do while diving. I'm not sure what I learned here; don't do drift diving, or make sure you have a more compatable buddy when drift diving, or bring a buddy to Bonaire or some such so I can slow the whole thing down and enjoy some relaxed shore diving with a buddy of like mind. Anybody??

 

[RJP]

I'm not sure what I learned here; don't do drift diving, or make sure you have a more compatable buddy when drift diving, or bring a buddy to Bonaire or some such so I can slow the whole thing down and enjoy some relaxed shore diving with a buddy of like mind. Anybody??

Whether you're in Bonaire shore diving, on a liveaboard somewhere, diving locally, or wherever...a "like-minded" buddy is the best piece of dive gear you can have!

However, that's not always possible. When you are diving somewhere without "your own" buddy, be sure to talk to the dive op about what you are looking to do. Pairing you with a photographer was just a bad idea - I would have said something. But, now you know. Liveaboard is a good option for single divers, as there's always a crew member or two in the water and you can buddy with one of them.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Definitely get to know your buddy and what kind of diving they do. Most photographers tend to be solo. I just stick with the DM or the group on most of my drift dives, unless I am really working for some good shots on a subject. At that point I am prepared to go solo. If anything, you learn as you dive and with whom that works best for you.

Carolyn:shark2:

 

[Garrobo]

I've dived with several operators on Cozumel and none of them has paired me up with another diver. Just stayed with the group or DM.

 

[Nemrod]

Don't dive with anyone carrying a camera, especially if they have a macro lens on it. They tend to wallow all over the coral and sit in one place taking "macro" pics of some tiny little something--over---and over----and over until you just want to spear them, if you had a spear gun.

N

 

[DBailey]

Don't automatically rule out being paired with a photographer. Sometimes they will have the eye to find some really cool stuff. Some of the most unique stuff that I have seen underwater has been pointed out by the photographer in the group.

If you are paired with someone random, don't automatically ditch them underwater to stick with the group. Just because they are being a bad buddy doesn't mean you have to be a bad buddy. Know that you a potential pitfall of diving with a random with a camera, you have some knowledge on what to ask during the dive plan.

 

[hudson]

Drift diving isn't really a problem. In fact, as a beginner, you may find it more stressful to manage your gas and navigate back to the boat, in comparison. As long as the current isn't too strong (it usually isn't) you'll have plenty of time to look around and investigate stuff, use much less oxygen, and can surface pretty much anytime (as long as an SMB is deployed, either by you or by the DM) and end up right next to your boat. Not to mention the six-pack works a lot better than the bigger cattle boats.

 

[CamG]

Greetings sbrown4292 and welcome to SB! Congratulations on your AOW!!!
You will find that it will offer more exciting dives in the future.
As some others have mentioned, a good buddy can make for awesome diving!
There are times when I have dove with people that quite frankly stress me out a bit but most of these times were training. You have to give the benefit of the doubt to students.
On pleasure dives that I am considering the dive plan is discussed between buddies and the group. I know this sounds ridged, anal but it simplifies any confusion while doing the dive. If my buddy wishes to take his or her camera we do so as a team! Agreed ahead of time, no exceptions. The key to good dives is communication, good dive planning, diving with in your training / comfort zone!
It is your $$$, take the time to ensure a great diving experience!
In your circumstance I would have tried to dive close to the DM / dive leader as I have done in the past. Do not rule out diving with new people, just take the appropriate time to communicate! I have had the pleasure of diving with some new friends that have turned out to be awesome! The few rough dives are worth it in the end, just chalk it up to experience and learn from them! Good luck and have a great dive soon!
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[RonFrank]

People often say that diving with photographers, or being a photographer IS diving solo. This depends on the buddy. I spent a week diving with my Cuz in the Keys. We both had camera's. We were rarely more than 15' apart, and it was no issue. She was taking photo's, I was taking photo's. We would just take the time to check on one another on a very regular basis. If I saw something I wanted to swim to see, I'd just get her attention, and tell her to follow me, and versa visa.

I've certainly done some solo diving off of boats. I generally like to carry a pony when doing so, but if it's in 25' of water, it's not a huge concern. I was on a boat a couple years back with an entire extended family of divers. These were vacation divers, and IMO none of them would have made very good buddies. More like I would be babysitting. The dives were shallow, and Gary was having me enter the water solo for this reason off the side of the boat before these folks were even geared up. I was *around* these divers, but not buddies with any of them. For that type of diving I preferred that approach.

When I do deep dives, I'm a buddy first, and a photographer second. When at 100' one has to be a bit more careful, and a bit better buddy as things can go wrong quickly at those depths.

Hunters are worst than photographers in my very limited experience. Most are up front about it. I had one guy tell me that he wanted to dive alone, and would leave the group immediately upon descent. I was alone that entire dive, so getting comfortable diving solo is not a foolish idea as one may end up that way regardless. For those types of dives, I like to have a pony.

 

[NudeDiver]

I'm not sure what I learned here; don't do drift diving, or make sure you have a more compatable buddy when drift diving, or bring a buddy to Bonaire or some such so I can slow the whole thing down and enjoy some relaxed shore diving with a buddy of like mind. Anybody??

You learned that you need to take the solo diver course at the first opportunity.