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I look for someone who is AWARE: aware of my gear, of whether I am having trouble gearing up or not, of the dive site, of his/her gear.
I also look for someone who is PREPARED: forgot defog? forgot compass? remembered dive flag?
and RELAXED: if buddy is not relaxed on the surface, what’s it going to be like if things go sour underwater
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The assumption is everyone has been trained to a minimum standard (sounds bad) and that each diver dives within, not their limits, but they’re training. Being an experienced diver doesn’t qualify you as being the better of the dive buddy. Proficiency, number of recent dives, and familiarity with the dive location plays into ones true value of a good dive buddy. So ask the questions before you dive with someone. I do, I also do what I was trained to do…brief and debrief every dive with my dive buddy.
Dive Safe.
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I look for someone i trust before we ever get near the water. Someone i know, or have gotten to know. Someone who realizes the water is the boss, and knows to be cautious. Someone who is clearly the leader or the follower, so there is no confusion underwater. Someone who voices their concerns, and knows their strengths and weaknesses. Someone who knows the setup, knows their gear, and doesn’t become overly dependent on his/her dive computer. joking is fine on land, but no games once the mask is on. And no creeps!
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I look for a divebuddy who has a passion for diving and a appreciation of the underwater environment. Skill level is important, I’d like somebody with a similar level of skill since I don’t want to limit my diving experience. Lastly, I’d like somebody who can relax in the water, move slowly and let the underwater community present the wonders of their aquatic world.
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I have to admit to date every buddy I have dove with that I have meet through DiveBuddy.com I would gladly dive with again. I have dove with people that I felt I needed to keep an eye on for their saftey though. I have dove in unfamiliar situations with divemasters on charters that I felt less secure then with new divers with less then a dozen dives. I feel the best quallities are buddies that unprompted aske about air, reg and octo checks, o2 percents, plan, if hunting what is accent or retreat plan, pesty shark aborts, just little things like that build my comfort levels, instead of me being one asking all of the time.
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a good dive buddy would never use a dry suit as a primary buoyancy device
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I think I am a good dive buddy because I am always turning around looking for them making sure they are close by. I also ask about their air often, so they are never in dire need of surfacing. I point out things I find, I always take photos of them too! I help them with their gear before we dive and check things together. If they have a problem while diving, if they are done, then I am done too.
Of course, my silly jokes are really the best part of diving with me! lol
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A good divebuddy won’t cut you off on the the way to the head and take a big dump for you to have to endure next!
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Someone with the strength to shake me into a wetsuit if required; ability to drive (cos I can’t); as or more experienced than me; doesn’t go poking about with the u/w habits messing things up for all the fish and shit; isn’t a rite cocky nob ’ed; happy to take their time and enjoy it.
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I have been Scuba Diving since 1968 with over 480 dives. I look for a Dive Buddy that can learn from my Scuba Excperience over the years and is rather new to Scuba Diving. I look for a Dive Buddy that I can help if they have Gear Problems Problems with Clearing their ears Swims slowly while crossing their arms to save on air and is not into Nitrox or Advanced Scuba.
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When looking for a Dive Buddy I think there are a few things I look for. First off I look for a diver that I consider a safe and knowledgeable diver. A person I know knows how to dive. Also does this person have safe and well maintained gear that I dont have to worry about. But I think the most important thingis an all around feel for the person and his personality. I am a quiet, shy person, I do not want to dive with an loud mouth I know it all(so he thinks) type person that can spoil not only my day but the others that are along as well. In no way am I saying I am perfect but I do respect others and I try to keep trained and up to date so "MY" Dive Buddy knows I have his back and afterall thats all we can ask in a dive buddy
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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!
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My Ideal Dive Buddy is one who buys the beer after the dive...!
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A good divebuddy is not gonna cut my dive short just because of his/her massive air consumption! A good divebuddy is not gonna make me have to signal for him/her to stay off the bottom or off the reef. A good divebuddy is one who doesn’t have to be told to stop kicking other divers in the face while we’re on our safety stop. Just to name a few things...
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It’s simple, a good dive buddy is someone that you entrust with your life. If your buddy is one who goes wondering off, that is not a good buddy. A good divebuddy is there to share the good and bad of a dive. He/she should be by your side and not off in space some where. A buddy keeps track of his/her buddy and watches your back. A good buddy is available if you have a problem or something great to see.
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I think most of you have just about summed it up. Briefing and De-Briefing is ctirical on all aspects of the dive. Finding people who know the importance of staying together at all times within a few feet of each other. Someone who loves the same dive activity as you do (are you a speed racing traveler or an observer who loves to dive extremely slow) A good buddy is just as concerned for your life as they are for their own and treats both equally important. Air consumption can be an issue unless your buddy doesn’t mind the working of your large lungs. I’ve been searching for an ideal divebuddy for a long time and I found that if you love to dive slowly as I do, if all else fails find a good U/W photographer and dive with them.
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My first and most important quality must be attentiveness to your buddy. Be willing to dive within divers safety zone without an attitude. And most of all be willing to state opinion on the dive plan without pretending, that they,ve done it all. Its not about compitition is about safety and having fun.Judy
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