h20baby
New
I'm baffled (and it makes me nervous) to see so many dive veterans complaining about being paired up with newbies on dive trips. Now I completely understand it but I'm curious why such pairings are happening. Frankly since I typically travel alone, I want to make sure (as a newbie) I'm not paired up with someone who doesn't want to be paired up with me.
On the one dive trip I have been on (Hawaii) and the 2 trips I have planned in the future, each time I have spoken with the person in charge and reiterated that I am a newbie and only want to be paired with the divemaster. Each time I have been assured this is no problem whatsoever and that's why the DM's are there. Each DM seemed more than happy to have a newbie in tow and told me to stick close to them, pointed out lots of marine life and given me lots of tips and tricks before and after the dive. So I'm just curious why I see so many comments in forums and articles about experienced divers being paired with newbies (often called morons and idiots). Are newbies not saying they're newbies? Hell I say it as much as I can so no one forgets! Why are veteran divers agreeing to being paired with newbies in the first place?
I completely understand and respect an experienced divers desire not to be paired with a newbie. My questions are why do these pairings seem to happen so much and what can I do to make sure it doesn't happen to me (other than what I'm already doing).
I'm currently at 10 dives, actively working on my AOW (I've already taken peak buoyancy and have nitrox, navigation and deep scheduled). I constantly read articles to keep learning and practice when I can. I know I have a lot to learn and want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to be a safe diver. But I am a newbie and there is a learning curve. I've had nothing but great experiences with my instructors and veterans I've worked with so far and hopefully will be a veteran myself some day.
Thanks for the comments.
On the one dive trip I have been on (Hawaii) and the 2 trips I have planned in the future, each time I have spoken with the person in charge and reiterated that I am a newbie and only want to be paired with the divemaster. Each time I have been assured this is no problem whatsoever and that's why the DM's are there. Each DM seemed more than happy to have a newbie in tow and told me to stick close to them, pointed out lots of marine life and given me lots of tips and tricks before and after the dive. So I'm just curious why I see so many comments in forums and articles about experienced divers being paired with newbies (often called morons and idiots). Are newbies not saying they're newbies? Hell I say it as much as I can so no one forgets! Why are veteran divers agreeing to being paired with newbies in the first place?
I completely understand and respect an experienced divers desire not to be paired with a newbie. My questions are why do these pairings seem to happen so much and what can I do to make sure it doesn't happen to me (other than what I'm already doing).
I'm currently at 10 dives, actively working on my AOW (I've already taken peak buoyancy and have nitrox, navigation and deep scheduled). I constantly read articles to keep learning and practice when I can. I know I have a lot to learn and want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to be a safe diver. But I am a newbie and there is a learning curve. I've had nothing but great experiences with my instructors and veterans I've worked with so far and hopefully will be a veteran myself some day.
Thanks for the comments.