What do you consider Good Buddy skills -

[Phil_C]

Phil,

That's a great list of expectations that lends itself very well to discussion in an OW theory session. I'll be borrowing this, if you don't mind.

R..

No problem at all - if it helps all the better - Phil

 

[Soakedlontra]

I have been following with interest the thread I started about challenging buddies who don't act how you want them to, and I have seen a number of comments and posts which show that different people have different expectations of buddies.

So to explore this, what do you consider are the skills and behaviours shown by a good buddy - my starter for ten

• Discusses and agrees the dive plan before the start of the dive, including aim of dive, site, duration and when to stop
• Agrees roles and responsibilities, who will lead, navigate and so on
• Discusses and agrees emergency actions such as lost divers etc.
• Assists buddy with kitting up
• Familiarises themselves with their buddies dive equipment and performs a buddy check to both ensure familiarity and correct fit and operation
• Assists buddy with water entry and final checks before descent
• Throughout dive remains in close proximity of their dive buddy and in a position to offer immediate aid in event of any diving emergency
• Remains in line of sight of buddy so there is no opportunity to "lose" a buddy, or an unseen emergency to develop whilst a diver is looking the other way
• Keeps regular contact and underwater communication on things such as comfort and air remaining
• Finishes dives together and waits out deco or safety stops to surface together
• Assists buddy with de-kitting and exit from water
• Debriefs and discusses dive, what went right, what went wrong, what could be done different next time
• Buys the beers !

I expect many of you may disagree with some of the above, and there may be things I have missed

Cheers - Phil.

You said it all! There are divers out there who follow those procedures, but unfortunately, they are a rare breed. Where I live they seem to be extinct like the dinosaurs.

 

[TSandM]

Soakedlontra, there is a thriving community of divers in your local area who behave exactly as billed. I know, because I am part of it.

 

[Diver0001]

And she doesn't bite...usually.

R..


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[Soakedlontra]

Soakedlontra, there is a thriving community of divers in your local area who behave exactly as billed. I know, because I am part of it.

I know but not where I live. I have tried other local dive shops. I always have to chase people around. I haven't been able to establish a relationship beyond being the instant buddy of the day. I don't have unlimited resources and it's always me who has to travel to the mainland. It would be nice to find somebody who lives on the island too! Anyway I will keep looking.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I know but not where I live. I have tried other local dive shops. I always have to chase people around. I haven't been able to establish a relationship beyond being the instant buddy of the day. I don't have unlimited resources and it's always me who has to travel to the mainland. It would be nice to find somebody who lives on the island too! Anyway I will keep looking.

The island is pretty much dominated by a Navy base and a dive shop that caters to an old-school Navy diving mentality ... in other words, they just don't put a lot of importance on good buddy skills. It's just a fact of life where you live. Over on the mainland there are more options, instructors, and divers who dive with a team attitude.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)