Self Reliance

[jeckyll]

I plan my dives so that I have an out _without_ a buddy. I.E. I try to think through situations in which I may be without my buddy, then figure out an 'exit strategy'. No, that was not how they taught my course. It's just based on experiences in other hobbies.

As far as I'm concerned a good buddy is a bonus. If (s)he is within arms reach that's a bonus, but I appreciate the fact that they won't always be _right_ next to me.

And yes, when I do my advance I am planning on carrying a pony for all dives that go beyond 60'.

But really, how many people who are new to the sport really think their diving through vs. relying purely on a 'more experienced' buddy? *shrug* In the end you'll never change the attitudes of large amounts of the population. So perhaps mentoring and trying to ensure that the people you dive with have the correct approach & attiutude would be the way to go.

Then again, what do I know, I've only had 8 logged dives.


Bjorn

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Not blocking the view of the aft rail of the Nekton, I see.

Hey now, I resemble that remark A friend wanted to see me dressed up when he heard I was going on a "cruise"--ummm, ok--he was obviously a non-diver but I brought along a pair of heels to humor him. My avatar pic is how most divers get to see me
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Ayisha]

If you're preaching the virtues of self-reliance, why are you diving with a buddy?

Surely, being self-reliant or self-sufficient are not necessarily the same thing? I believe you can be self-reliant without being a solo diver.

Being an experienced diver, practiced in skills, aware of the environment, knowing how to plan your dives well, knowing how to plan for gas consumption, being appropriately equipped and trained, comfortable, calm, and having the ability to rescue yourself can make someone self-reliant - and a hell of a better buddy.

BTW, I'm a girl, too. :07:

 

[D_B]

Exactly, Very well said Ber and Ayisha

(dang! , nice heels Ber)

DB

 

[socialist77]

Surely, being self-reliant or self-sufficient are not necessarily the same thing? I believe you can be self-reliant without being a solo diver.

Can the truly self-reliant diver ever get into trouble, that is, get into a situation where she or he has to rely on her or his buddy for safety or even survival?

This whole thread seems spurred more by vacant ideology, and not common sense or actual diving practices. Obviously all divers should strive to be as self-reliant as possible, but there's a good reason why all the major certifying agencies teach the buddy system -- because it's safer. At the heart of the buddy system are a set of mutual responsibilities. Also, when enrolled in a scuba class, your instructor bears some responsibility for your safety.

This isn't meant to be a commentary on any recent thread or any effort to shift blame to a buddy or divemaster or instructor instead of admitting individual culpability, just a simple statement of basic facts.

 

[D_B]

Don't think anyone here is advocating diving by yourself , just that if you are equiped mentally and physically as if you were, than when you are diving with your buddy, both you and him/her will be safer for it

DB

 

[Ayisha]

Can the truly self-reliant diver ever get into trouble, that is, get into a situation where she or he has to rely on her or his buddy for safety or even survival?

Sure.

Can the truly self-sufficient diver ever get into trouble, that is, get into a situation where she or he cannot rely only on himself or herself for safety or even survival?

Of course. Or Solo divers would never have accidents. Even properly equipped and trained Solo divers.

But better to be ABLE to rely on ourselves if need be as much as possible than EXPECTING that someone can or will save us or DEPENDING on others for safety.

Our buddy IS our redundancy. However...
Depending on others for our safety has the potential to hurt us a lot more than being able to help ourselves.

 

[String]

I think its fairly obvious that anyone equipped to rescue themselves from a variety of situations is going to be a safer diver than someone totally reliant on someone else.

It works both ways, safer for the self-reliant diver AND for his buddy.

Nothing in this thread suggests solo diving as a buddy isnt needed but it never hurts to further minimise risks.

 

[Tom Smedley]

So you won't become a dependent buddy - like Mike Nelson was to Zale Parry.

Zale is probably pretty withered by now but in those days she could be my buddy any day.

 

[CaptainNemo]

If you're preaching the virtues of self-reliance, why are you diving with a buddy?

I think you guys missed my point. Yes I do dive with a buddy for the obvious reasons. Maybe Self Reliance wasn't the right title. My point was don't expect someone else to save you. Save yourself and always take the extra help. If one person new to diving follows this thread and doesn't DEPEND SOLELY on their "experienced" buddy that's alright with me. Happy Diving!