Will your buddy/"instant buddy" sue you if something happens or vice-versa?

[D_B]

No way, with as few of dives as I have, rescue, or not .. am I going to feel comfortable buddying with someone right out of OW (unless I know his instructor )
... hmmm, not being comfortable with the dive? ... sounds like a good reason to call it .. and then ask the DM Why are you doing this???

 

[SteveAD]

You're right, of course. I'm not saying I agree with any of this, just telling you what MIGHT happen.

I once refused to buddy with a newbie in Coz when I first started diving, I had 35 dives, the newbie was on his first OW dives since cert and had NO athlectic abilities at all. I said to the DM, I can not be responsible for him since I'm kind of new myself. He insisted I buddy with him, which I did, thinking the DM was law on the boat, I was new. He was awful and cut my dive short. I had to surface with him. I suffered the next dive with him but that was it. Next day I buddied with 3 other guys who told me at dinner, that guy is going to kill you.

If boat crew ever insisted that I dive with a person that I had politely declined, I would simply go into full professional mode.

I came on this boat as a paying recreational diver expecting to dive as I see fit. I am however an instructor and as an instructor I will dive with almost anyone. However, as an instructor I expect to be compensated over and above expenses incurred. So Mr. Divemaster of the boat, if you would like to contract my services as an escort for this incompetant newbie, I will accept a full refund of my charter fee and $100 per dive considering I am being asked to work at the last minute on my day off I think I'm being quite reasonable.

 

[jsmharley]

I came on this boat as a paying recreational diver expecting to dive as I see fit. I am however an instructor and as an instructor I will dive with almost anyone. However, as an instructor I expect to be compensated over and above expenses incurred. So Mr. Divemaster of the boat, if you would like to contract my services as an escort for this incompetant newbie, I will accept a full refund of my charter fee and $100 per dive considering I am being asked to work at the last minute on my day off I think I'm being quite reasonable.

Love this approach/reply, no one can demand that you dive with someone on the boat. Would like to see DM's face when they get this reply back lol

 

[Cacia]

I always say this, but it always falls flat.

Why not (in a private situation) just all be openly SOLO but dive together? Gets rid of all legal issues, in my mind. If we all state "we are all solo, here, right?" then you have witnesses...and you still have the advantages of diving together without any strings.

I know you could still be sued, but then the other divers would say "oh yea, it was common knowledge we were all always solo." Doesn't mean you can't dive together any way you want.

 

[ffhamm]

A big problem we have in this country (US) is the fact we love to sue.
A neighbor of mine sued his best friend when his buddy accidently hurt his wife during a recreational excursion (minor injury, broken arm) ruined thier friendship over 1500 bucks or so.

This being said, I would be the last one to sue over an accident. especially if I was doing a recreational activity that carries some risk. I take responsibility for myself, and look after the others around me, but when I am doing an activity that carries some amount of risk, I assume that I could get hurt.

jeff

 

[pilot fish]

It would not happen now. I was kind of new then. If you don't want to buddy with someone, a DM cannot force you to. I like you response. Mine would be, I'm a recreational diver and cannot, nor will, except responsibilty for this diver. The DM at the time of my refusal was Mexican, with limited but functional English, so I was not able to fully get my point across. Buddying should be a mutal thing, not imposed.

If boat crew ever insisted that I dive with a person that I had politely declined, I would simply go into full professional mode.

I came on this boat as a paying recreational diver expecting to dive as I see fit. I am however an instructor and as an instructor I will dive with almost anyone. However, as an instructor I expect to be compensated over and above expenses incurred. So Mr. Divemaster of the boat, if you would like to contract my services as an escort for this incompetant newbie, I will accept a full refund of my charter fee and $100 per dive considering I am being asked to work at the last minute on my day off I think I'm being quite reasonable.

 

[fisherdvm]

....... I would be the last one to sue over an accident.
jeff

I hear that all the time.... I wouldn't sue, etc...

But it is your surviving spouse, ex-wife's step daughter, and your 5th cousin that will sue for your behalf when you are brain dead and can't wipe your own behind

 

[TomP]

I once refused to buddy with a newbie in Coz when I first started diving, I had 35 dives, the newbie was on his first OW dives since cert and had NO athlectic abilities at all. I said to the DM, I can not be responsible for him since I'm kind of new myself. He insisted I buddy with him, which I did, thinking the DM was law on the boat, I was new. He was awful and cut my dive short. I had to surface with him. I suffered the next dive with him but that was it. Next day I buddied with 3 other guys who told me at dinner, that guy is going to kill you.

Addendum to Instabuddy waiver.

Further, instabuddy agrees to reimburse Releasee for all associated expenses for any dive prematurely terminated by instabuddy for any reason whatsoever. Associated expenses shall include all Dive, Lodging, Travel and incidental expenses incurred by Releasee for the day.

 

[TomP]

Thinking further, i'd rather put the reimbursement burden on the resort/operator as they are imposing the instabuddy in the first place.

 

[Hockeynut]

There was a case last year I think where the wife was suing the buddy. I'll see if I can find it.