When choosing a dive buddy I like to think I make informed decisions on whether or not that person is experienced enough to handle any minor problems that may arise as well as the more major ones. I also look for someone who is comfortable in the water without being too cocky about how much he/she has been diving. Respect for not only the water, sea life but also of the other divers and the boat crew! If someone is rude to the people responsible for our safety to and from the dive site I won’t dive with them. I also prefer someone mature enough to realize a dive buddy means that person stays with you and you stay with them...no exceptions under water on this rule!! I dove once with a guy who was about 18 and he was in the water and gone before I’d even been cleared to jump in the water! That was the only dive I felt uneasy on due to my "buddy"...didn’t find him until we all surfaced! He ruined the dive for everyone as no one did much except try to find the big goof!