Who Do You Dive with on Vacation?

[Quarrior]

Hi and Bubbles to All,

I'm a pretty new diver, have a whole 10 dives under my belt all but one have been training dives. Got my AOW so I could be a safer and more knowledgeable diver, not just so I would be allowed by the DM to go down on the 100' dives.

So, here's my question, I'm going on vacation to Ocho Rios in May and am wondering, when I go, how do I decide who on the boat to dive with?

I've a lot of threads about people seeing or meeting pretty poor divers while on vacation. I want to dive with someone that I can trust as my buddy.

Suggestions?

Thanks

Brian

 

[Scubaguy62]

Brian

You have enough sense and judgment to ask those who have done it a little longer; I applaud that.

Going on vacation and diving with a buddy you just met on the boat is no different than going to Sandals by yourself. Most people on a dive boat, whether on vacation or locally, bring their own buddies along with their own gear. As far as you getting matched up with a buddy on the boat, I believe you should discuss your experience level, as well as the fact that you will be going on the boat without a buddy, before you step on the boat. In an abundance of caution, you should let the dive shop, the DM, and the Capt know. It will be a good idea to also bring your logbook so your experience level can be asessed better. It's possible you may be matched with a buddy, but it is likely your buddy will be the DM. Word to the wise, most experienced divers, who didn't bring their buddy along, will prefer to dive with someone who has a little more experience.

If you're going to Ocho Rios, and by sheer luck you're going to Sandals, then you're not going alone. If your companion is somewhat interested in diving, then it would be best to have your companion take Sandals' resort course. From personal experience I can tell you it's excellent; it's how I got the bug to dive.

Semper Safe,

Rick

 

[getwet2]

I've been going through the same thing for the past 12 years and to be honest there is no sure fire answer. Once on the boat you will probably have very few choice of who to dive with and every boat will most likely have different people on it. As for who you can trust, well if you don't know them you can't really trust anyone, so talk to the people on the boat and see how you feel, also remember some of the stories you have read and take what people say with a grain of salt. If you are not sure and really don't feel comfortable with ANYONE then I would suggest you talk to the dive master.

You didn't mention if this will be your first experience in the ocean, if it is let the DM know and do a calm shallow dive first. Don't be rolling back into rough seas just because you didn't want to look like a rookie, we all were at some point in time. If you do get paired up with someone, first, make sure you both speak the same language, (Don't laugh, it will happen sooner or later) let your BUDDY know your diving experience, he might assume you have more dives than you really do having your AOW certification. Second, watch how your buddy is and what your buddy does once at depth. You'll have to use some of your own judgment and training and make the call for yourself, don't be afraid to speak up if you feel strongly about something.

I don't know what else to tell you except that you took the time to get trained so put it to good use and enjoy your vacation.

 

[H2Andy]

i've been on two diving vacations thus far where i was paired with whoever happened
to be handy. i've met some good divers on boats, and if possible, once i i.d. a good diver (by watching them dive), i jump them to be my buddy if they come back the next day. this way, i cut down on the "random" buddy as much as possible.

i must say that i have been lucky that none of my buddies, except one, on these vacations has been a really bad diver. the one exception was a poor guy who was
a vacuum. he went through his air in like ten minutes. no kidding. he sat out the second dive and i dove a threesome with some cool guys.

 

[Michael Schlink]

Try to get the DM to be your buddy. He/she shouldn't mind you sticking close by and should be able to keep an eye on the group at the same time. Plus you will probably get to see more "critters" because the DM's tend to try to find things for divers to see, helps with the tip's. Keep that in mind when it's time to head back in from your dives. Another possible see if there are a couple of experienced divers that wouldn't mind if you "tagged" along. See if you can get them to take you under their wing, so to speak. If it's your first trip to Jamaica, stay away from Kingston and don't travel to far away from the resorts by yourself. Have fun-M

 

[ArcticDiver]

You are doing what is the norm for me. I dive with anyone and everyone who happens to be loose on the boat. From experience, I have to treat them all as solo dives. I would prefer to have a buddy. But, as I've posted elsewhere, my decision is to have a solo dive rather than dive with someone who doesn't follow the dive plan and who indicates they may be dangerous. By personality and comfort level I'm ok with solo diving. If you aren't don't even think about it.

Also, remember the crew is there for your safety and enjoyment. Ask the DM/Dive Guide to dive with you. I've never seen a diver turned down. In fact many boats have multiple DMs or Dive Guides specifically to be able to put enough in the water to help people. Generally speaking, but not always, they will not only help you, they will give you a better dive than you would have had otherwise.

One definition: Being a part of a gaggle following a dive guide on an underwater tour is Not the same as having a buddy. Supposedly everyone is everyone else's buddy. In fact it is no different than when you assign a task to everyone. Everyone has the task but no individual feels it is their responsibility.

 

[DandyDon]

So, here's my question, I'm going on vacation to Ocho Rios in May and am wondering, when I go, how do I decide who on the boat to dive with?

I've a lot of threads about people seeing or meeting pretty poor divers while on vacation. I want to dive with someone that I can trust as my buddy.

How much are you willing to pay?

Look, we've all been newbies, and for me - it wasn't all that long ago that I was in the same situation as you. You go, you take who you can get, you survive with your training, and you learn from the challenges. This is a learning sport, not vacation entertainment.

Now that I've got 167 dives, most ocean dives, I still have to hope I'll get a decent diver for a bud, hopefully not some newbie with 10 dives, but mostly - I'm happy to be there, and do what I can. The only requirements I insist on are AOW & Nitrox cards, and Nitrox when I am.

So, what do you do, or what do I do, if we can't find a decent bud? We hire a Dive Master. That's extra money, but we all have to pay dues in various ways.

Have fun, and good luck... don

 

[dweeb]

I'm a pretty new diver, have a whole 10 dives under my belt all but one have been training dives. Got my AOW so I could be a safer and more knowledgeable diver, not just so I would be allowed by the DM to go down on the 100' dives.

So, here's my question, I'm going on vacation to Ocho Rios in May and am wondering, when I go, how do I decide who on the boat to dive with?

OK, so some people have already discussed soloing or treating a dive with a strange buddy as a solo dive. With only 10 dives, you're not ready for that option. The other one is buddying up w/ the DM or other pro-in-charge, which may entail an extra fee. But what if your only option is to pick one of the other unmatched divers on the boat - how do you choose?

If you're going in May, that's a month away. See if any local shops have a Rescue course starting in the next week, and ask about the course. It doesn't matter if you get the cert. before your trip - it's the early course content you want for the trip, so you can complete the course upon return. You're looking for a class where the shop is grooming their future DM's and instructors. Specifically, you want a class that emphasizes the clues that manifest BEFORE an accident - the signs of a poorly trained, out of practice, overconfident, or apprehensive diver. A good Rescue class will teach you to recognize who you might have to rescue later, and how to apply a little prevention - the people it teaches you to recognize are the ones you DON'T want to buddy with. Most of this is typically covered in the beginning of a good Rescue class. Barring this, find the instructor at your LDS who runs the Rescue course and/or trains new staff. Ask the instructor to go over the basics of assessing pre-dive behavior. Maybe you'll need to buy the instructor dinner.

Some of the things you'll go over are looking at other divers' gear - is it all shiny and new, and all one manufacturer? DO they fumble around with assembling it, or do they know what they're doing? Do they talk incessantly about any single narrow subject, especially if it's a diving risk, or do they delay getting ready? These may be signs of a lot of stress about the dive.
Do they boast of their experience, or do a lot of "name dropping" about where they've been diving? As a friend once said, people who have a "party naked" sticker on their car, don't - those who do, don't feel a need to advertise.

Don't be afraid to ask a prospective buddy a few questions, in a non-confrontational manner. Get all your expectations out in the open.

 

[Quarrior]

All of the replies have been great. Some good information spread between them and I appreciate the input.

Thanks

Brian