Rose Robinson
Contributor
Hello All - I'm a relatively new diver, but it seemed appropriate to post in this sub forum...
I'm a safety and systems oriented person. I'm a PADI MSD (which, I think, doesn't mean much except that I've had a couple of key classes) and I intend to progress into Tech in the fullness of time, at a nice and steady pace so I don't get ahead of myself.
I like to travel and want to dive as much as I can wherever I go, but what I'm realizing as I do so is that every community I visit seems to have their own standards of safety, some pretty lax, whereas I'm more into the Human Factors in Diving perspective. I like a well thought out dive plan, even if it is a simple rec dive, with a brief and de-brief after. Since I'm usually traveling alone, I'm at the whim of the dive operator with regards to a buddy. So, my question is this: how do folks tend to handle this situation? And are there ways to find like minded divers thru social media (e.g., safety oriented groups on FB)?
Thanks!
FD,
First of all a group of divers on a charter is a primary sign of like mindedness.
When you travel, do your pre-planning, review the availability of operators at your destination, call the shop(s), ask as many questions as you think you need to satisfy your safety/other concerns, read their reviews.
If you are planning multiple days of diving during your stay, and you find you don't like your chosen operator, make some changes.
I find the term ''insta-buddy'' somewhat offensive, you are just as much an insta-buddy to your new partner as he/she is to you.
You may want to find a partner of ''like mind'' at home, and make your travelling plans together.
Contact your LDS and get involved with their local group dives, join a local dive club.
There are lots of ways to get and stay social.
If you are the the type being content to show up alone, you'll have to be content with someone else doing your picking and choosing.
Rose.