What sets off your alarm bells?

[KeithG]

Multiple layers of poorly fitting wet suits.

They are obviously serious about diving since they have spent additional money buying extra gear in order to get warm. But they do not seem to have a clue that a good fit is key. 2 more layers of lose fitting neoprene still allows the water to flush in and out is not a solution.

So if they can not figure this out, what other basics do they not understand?

 

[USFpsychDiver]

Bad sign: the guy who's complaining about how all his equipment is faulty and that's what's making him dive badly. Good sign: gear cleanly rigged and stowed.

 

[MrChen]

Any instabuddy would make me nervous.

I've yet to put myself on a boat without a dive buddy. I've seen many people on boats without dive buddies which didn't know how to use a regulator. Very scary stuff. I do NOT want to be paired up with anyone that I can't rely on. I've mentioned this in another post, once I have my pony I won't be as concerned since I'll have my own backup air supply.

 

[rhwestfall]

If you expect the perfect dive, bring your own perfect buddy. You should always be on the look out for potential issues. Many signs: introvert, extrovert, gear fumbling, agitation, carelessness, over sensitive, etc.

Keep in mind, some folks pinnacle dives are others basic ones. If you can't take on the role, don't sign up. If you were expecting more, did you ask before you signed up? Honestly, its also a lot of fun to see folks experience things for the first time too.

We have all been there once....

The "my dive got cut short" is an interesting rant. On the other hand, isn't the code of diving "any diver can call a dive at any time". Do you get pi$$ed for that?

 

[Storker]

not realising you've forgotten something till your actually in the water

Been there, done that

knife strapped to the calf

Guilty as charged, your honor. However, that's how most divers do it around here. Harvesting/hunting is widely accepted and can usually be done in a responsible and sustainable manner. A BFK is good for catching flatfish, wolffish or angler fish if you're not packing a sling, and it's also great for prying scallops and mussels off rocks. So knife or shears is something that depends on local customs.

Big camera/video rigs ding ding

I guess you and I won't be diving together

 

[Subcooled]

Reluctance to discuss the dive plan and contingencies on surface.
A hurry to dive.

"Let's agree on it on the bottom" is about the worst comment that I have ever heard. It was a mine dive.

knife strapped to the calf

There's a certain feeling involved when your feet are entangled in a fishing net behind and above you, if your knife is strapped to the calf.

 

[Steve_C]

If you expect the perfect dive, bring your own perfect buddy.


Keep in mind, some folks pinnacle dives are others basic ones. If you can't take on the role, don't sign up. If you were expecting more, did you ask before you signed up? Honestly, its also a lot of fun to see folks experience things for the first time too.

We have all been there once....

The "my dive got cut short" is an interesting rant. On the other hand, isn't the code of diving "any diver can call a dive at any time". Do you get pi$$ed for that?

I have had lots of instabuddies in a number of places including several on their first ocean dives. I enjoy it. Having said that if there is something special I want to see or do or it it is a pinnacle dive for me, or a place I will probably never get back to, then I just rent a DM. To me a rented DM is not a trust me guide but an experienced buddy. We discuss what I would like to do, listen to their suggestions, and work out a plan.

 

[victorzamora]

Too many c-cards scares me, depending on what they are.

To me, it's not new gear.....but I feel like diver gear says a lot. If you're having to ask me how to set something up....I get more cautious. If you have new gear, it means you recently bought gear. Good for you. I'll be sporting a brand new light and computer this weekend, does that make me a bad diver? I hope not . What does make me fret about new gear is when the new gear is the typical stuff sold to new divers that don't know any better. The new diver that gets a C-Card, whips out a wallet and lets the LDS ravage them.....THAT'S the diver I fear. Light cannon on a retractable bungee clip with three tank bangers, a mask with a purge valve, a high-end snorkel, and other crap like that is what terrifies me. Normally just because that's the stuff they buy because they don't know any better.

Attitude also terrifies me, mostly when they think they know everything. If they think that them having a cert means they're a good diver.....they're AWFUL. MOSTLY it's the attitude thing. This ties back in to excessive C-cards, as well.

 

[mathauck0814]

The idea of an instabuddy sets off alarm bells. We generally charter our own boat and when that's not possible I'll dive alone. If diving with a new diver for the first time I usually vet them ahead of time and attempt to make an easy shore dive locally before we get on a boat together.

 

[fjpatrum]

People that won't talk to me about their dive expectations or thoughts/plans. I don't care about gear, brand new gear could mean his 40 year old kit with thousands of dives could have been stolen or tipped overboard during a perfect storm. If the diver can't assemble their gear I'd be more cautious, especially if the person is a braggart, but so far I haven't seen that happen.

I'm open and honest about my experience level and my goals/expectations and that seems to help other people be the same way.