There seem to be several categories of dive buddy. See where you find yourself and see where you would like to be. One of the categories is the: Just met the person on the dive boat and the Divemaster paired us up. I have a real problem with this deal. Not only don’t you know anything about the person’s skill level and abilities, but you don’t have any signals worked out, you don’t have a clue when the last time they REALY did a dive like the one you are just about to do. This situation sometimes sets me to wondering, what was the condition of their last buddy after their last dive. Hum?
Dive operators just have to hook you up with somebody. They cannot let you dive alone and this, I feel has problems. One way to solve this might be diplomatically suggest that you and the Divemaster and the mystery guest dive as a group of three. Be proactive, scope out ahead of time who at least appears to be good fit as a buddy for that dive. Exchange a few words and see what your comfort level with them is. Another way is to duck and hide when they are grouping people. Size up the deal and move fast or else you’re in for it.
To some degree, you will always have to dive someone else’s dive. It depends on a lot of things but you will wind up with their profile or vice versa. All this by the way, is assuming that the person you are paired with is cooperative. THEY may be the one insisting on exceeding you’re comfort or training levels. Bad, bad, bad, never allow yourself to be bullied. This is one of the many plusses to diving in a forum like ours. We know each other, in and out of the water. We have confidence in one another if not from association, from observation. The worst case is that you pair up with someone new to you that day, Take the time to sort things out before the dive. New friend made, done deal, everybody’s happy.
Now for something a bit more sensitive:
I feel it is dangerous to let your dive partner become to dependant on you. Equally dangerous is becoming dependant on you partner. You are not being kind, nor are you showing love and care, if you do not allow your dive buddy to be completely self sufficient. Correction, INSIST that they become self sufficient. The best rescue is a self rescue. It is possible that through habit and experience, one or the other becomes stronger or more self confident, leaving the other even more dependent. Granted, this applies mostly to those who dive as a team most often, but also applies to someone you are temporarily diving with. It is better for them; they will become more confident and therefore more relaxed, and better for you, as they will be better able to assist you if needed.
Both members of the team MUST be able to navigate, monitor air and bottom time, and send and receive signals either by hand, slate, or other means. They HAVE GOT TO be familiar with your alternate air and vice versa. (A little tip for watching you air pressure, gauges: If you normally dive with the same person, you normally dive in the same relative position to them: He or she on the right or left slightly ahead or behind, whatever. Try positioning you console in such a way that when you are not checking your own levels, it rests tilted slightly towards your buddy. In this way you can check at a glance each others remaining air. You will find that with a little trial and error, it is easy to spot the green, yellow and red bands and the black needle from some distance)
If you are using an AIR2, or anything other than the standard octo set up, you need to point this out. Some divers don’t know how it works. Always have your secondary reg identified with a yellow hose or wrap.
Exchange rolls from time to time. Let your buddy lead. Allow them to decide the profile, direction, etc. Allow them to navigate. Allow them to set the pace. Allow them to learn by making mistakes! Not life threatening of course.
If you are the member of the team that usually follows, take the initiative, speak up, and make it known that you would like to lead the dive. If your buddy is not willing, find another one (Or talk it through later prior to divorce court). You both benefit. Cheers!
