Forgetting for the moment that the buddy was a DM, I'd ask the OP what he and his buddy discussed as protocol for turning the dive during the pre-dive briefing. If nothing, then the OP is as almost as responsible for the "surprise ending" of the dive as the DM.
Absolutely. It is a joint responsibility. However, the simple fact is that some novice divers will just assume that the DM/Instructor knows best...and follow their direction against their own good judgement and what they learnt in training.
When dealing with Dive masters/guides:
1) Remember you are a paying customer.
2) If in a buddy team with the guide, the buddy (your) safety comes before customer service/satisfaction issues with the group.
3) Ascents and descents are the most dangerous part of a dive. Solo ascent is reckless and contrary to safe diving rules, unless the diver/s concerned are experienced, trained and equiped for solo diving.
halemanō;5494094:
The boats I have worked as guide from have all "allowed" solo ascents. It's up to the buddy members to make this decision. I tell my solo group members that if they are not OK with a solo ascent I will join them until they surface.
It's fine that the boat
allows this. The boat has no liability for the procedures used by certified divers. It is the responsibility of the dive buddy team to ensure their own safety. For me, the dive
does not end until the buddy team are back
on the boat. I wouldn't ever be happy to leave my buddy unattended on the surface.
Morality aside, I can't imagine the success of admiting
"I then left him alone on the surface and returned underwater to rejoin the group" at the inquest and tribunal for a fatal dive accident.
halemanō;5494094:
If a boat or guide "allows" solo ascents, it is likely they also allow "ascent teams" to be formed when one member each of two buddy teams reaches ascent pressures at around the same time. By waiting until the last minute the team members will at least have had a dive or two to size up their potential teammate.
These practices are common on 'insta-buddy' dive boats. I call it 'Gaggle Diving'. Personally, I think it flouts safe diving practices at the expense of proper planning and effort by both the divers and diveguides concerned.
During these dives
nobody has any pre-designated responsibility for a buddy. Because of this, nobody can conduct a proper dive plan and maintain proper buddy awareness during the dive.
A lot of otherwise
avoidable fatal dive accidents happen because of this.
At the very least it
discourages divers from using proper buddy procedures and planning dives. It encourages divers to act like mindless sheep, just following a DM without taking any personal responsibility during the dive.
halemanō;5494094:
If the guide tells you they are your buddy, just like with any insta-buddy it's up to you to communicate before the dive what you expect from your buddy. I carry a large slate, so I explain to my charges that we can converse during the dive if they need.
The (
qualified professional) dive guide
shouldn't be expected to take responsibility for the less experienced buddy? They shouldn't be expected to
role model safe diving practices for their customer?