Should I talk a friend out of lobster diving

[fjpatrum]

The fact that you are uncomfortable with it is all that matters and all you need to say. If your friend takes offense, tough cookies for him. It could save his life and if he doesn't understand that, nothing you say or do will change his attitude.

That said, if you can get him some refresher dives first then tag team, one hunter one spotter and switch roles on the second dive, then you're golden. I am hoping to do some bug dives in the near(ish) future with some experienced hunters, but I want to do it as a spotter/hunter pair not both diving as hunters. I'm confident but I'd rather not be so confident that I get careless.

 

[CT-Rich]

I agree with everyone else, best if your friend gets a few shake-down dives under his belt. What types of conditions was he diving in Thailand? Resort style conditions with a light suit are entirely different than what sounds like a pretty challenging situation. He probably would want to at least do a check out dive on the gear he would be using for the bug dive. A daytime shore or boat dive in the area nearby (or at least similar) may cure him of what sounds like over confidence.

 

[fnfalman]

I recently met a old friend. He got certified in Thailand long time ago and has stop diving for 3 years. He wants to sign up for a Catalina Island lobster diving trip, and he wants me to go as his buddy. Looking at the trip detail, all dives are night dives. Lobster dive depth usually is at the recreation dive limit. I don't feel confident about this combination. What do you guys think? Am I too conservative? How should I talk him out of it without sounds offense?

IF YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS PERSON, then tell it straight: "dude, you gonna kill yer self."

Seriously, no dives for three years, no California diving experience, night dive, bug hunting (with concommitant bug fever). Sounds like a recipe for disaster.