Why divers should be "self reliant".

[uncfnp]

There is a current thread in which the poster apparently thought to give an example for others to learn by that demonstrated why divers must always have buddies. I will give an example why even divers with buddies should be "self reliant." Dare I even suggest, capable of solo diving even if they don't actually solo.

i was on a dive boat today where I met two very nice divers. Neither of them new but one obviously more experienced. They had also been diving together before though they did not state how long.

Back on the boat after the first dive, I over heard the more experienced diver say that has tank slipped from the band while diving so he had to remove his BCD and readjust his gear. I admit I looked to his buddy and asked did she not see that he needed help. She, without any obvious embarrassment, said she noticed something was going on with him but did think much about it. Apparently, she didn't even bother to go over to check on him. I was stunned. First, that she didn't even both to check when she noticed something wrong and second, that she seemed unconcerned by this!

Maybe I am over reacting but I was troubled by this.

 

[Steve_C]

I think there is a tendency for some newer divers, and some pairs of divers, for one diver thinking of the other as being there to help them but not of their being there to help the other one. Most divers with a guide are probably like this.

Your point about being self reliant is a good one.

 

[TSandM]

I don't think this is a story that points out why you have to be self-reliant. I think it's a story that points out why it's important to have effective methods of communication, and it's important to have the situational awareness to notice problems.

In that case, the diver with the issue should have been able to get the attention of his buddy and communicate that something is wrong. She should have come over and helped him fix it.

I had the exact same issue at 100 feet one evening in Cove 2 (dark, murky, cold water). I realize my tank was loose and slewing, and I signaled my buddy and pointed to my tank. He didn't see anything wrong, so he shrugged and kept going. I swam a few more feet and became certain that something needed fixing, so I stopped again, and, more emphatically, motioned "something wrong" and pointed to my tank. At this point my buddy saw the problem, sat on me and fixed it. That's how it should go.

Yes, it's good to have the skills to solve the problem if you simply cannot get any assistance. But the debrief should be related to why you were unable to get any assistance.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

While I'm all for self-reliant diving, I question whether what was related is cause for concern. If I see my buddy doff their gear, I'm certainly going to eyeball the situation...but without any clear indication as to what's wrong, what they're trying to do, or how I can best help, that's all I'm going to do. And unless they seem distressed or approaching panic, I'm certainly not going to think the situation is anything but mildly amusing.

And while good communication is nice, I'm not sure there's an effective way to indicate 'My tank isn't quite right, and I want it retightened in this particular position.' If it's falling out, then I can see that much is wrong; however, unless they lack the ability to fix it themselves, I'm still not the best person to correct the problem. Take it off, put it where you want it, and put it back on. If you want me to sit on you and fix it, I can... but if that was my buddy's first instinct upon hearing me signal 'problem with tank', I'd be annoyed.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I don't think this is a story that points out why you have to be self-reliant. I think it's a story that points out why it's important to have effective methods of communication, and it's important to have the situational awareness to notice problems.

In that case, the diver with the issue should have been able to get the attention of his buddy and communicate that something is wrong. She should have come over and helped him fix it.

I had the exact same issue at 100 feet one evening in Cove 2 (dark, murky, cold water). I realize my tank was loose and slewing, and I signaled my buddy and pointed to my tank. He didn't see anything wrong, so he shrugged and kept going. I swam a few more feet and became certain that something needed fixing, so I stopped again, and, more emphatically, motioned "something wrong" and pointed to my tank. At this point my buddy saw the problem, sat on me and fixed it. That's how it should go.

Yes, it's good to have the skills to solve the problem if you simply cannot get any assistance. But the debrief should be related to why you were unable to get any assistance.

... I remember that dive ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TMHeimer]

The OP's story points out several things.
--All divers should be self reliant--That is, be able to do all the needed skills well.
--A buddy's first job is to keep constant contact with his/her buddy and be prepared to assist if need be (and if properly trained)....leading to....
--All divers should take Rescue as soon as practically possible.... and....
--New divers should seek buddies who are ideally rescue trained, or at least very experienced.

--So much for the ideal world.

 

[Kharon]

I never dive without my buddy. Thing is it's a 13 cf pony and it's the only buddy I need (or want, for that matter).

 

[DevonDiver]

Divers should always rely on somebody who is reliable. I'd suggest that oneself is normally the best selection - but some examples from the gene pool would serve to make that suggestion inaccurate..

 

[Wookie]

Sometimes I take my gear off underwater. It's good practice in case I need to take my gear off underwater. Sometimes I take my mask off and swim around without it. Open eyes and everything. Sometimes I do any or all of this while neutrally buoyant somewhere in the water column, although it can make it more difficult than if I have a nice sandy area to do it in. Sometimes I do this when my tank slips out of the band, but that hasn't happened in 10 years or so. Sometimes I dive with another person, although they aren't a buddy, they just happen to be the person I'm diving with. Sometimes some random person comes up to me when I'm not in my gear and ask me if I'm OK. It's nice when someone cares. Sometimes they insist on helping. It goes downhill from there.

 

[flots am]

It's nice when someone cares. Sometimes they insist on helping. It goes downhill from there.

That's been a problem when I go on a cruise (wife doesn't dive) in the winter. The DMs typically freak out when they see me switching between regs or taking my mask off underwater. I've pretty much stopped doing it on vacation.

flots.