Selecting buddies?

[Ber Rabbit]

You will find many experienced divers are cautious diving with new divers. If you screw up during the first dive, you might not get invited back. Just be safe and courteous(uw of course) and you will get invited back.

For the newbie lurkers hanging around this thread I think by "screw up" SoCalSwami means act in an unsafe manner. Honesty and some humility about your ability goes a long way with experienced divers. We were all new once and many experienced divers are happy to help newbies with good attitudes improve.

Will this be your new profile pic?

Hmmmmm
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[TSandM]

Sherry, I met several of my best dive buddies on line. In the beginning, I didn't really know what questions to ask, but I was looking for someone who a) had a lot more experience than I did, and b) was willing to do a simple dive at a non-challenging site. A lot of "cowboys" (people who are big risk-takers, or are terminally careless) don't want to escort new divers, so they kind of select themselves out. Nowadays, I would ask more questions about their training, the frequency of their diving, and a little about their philosophy. (You don't want, as a new diver, to be in the water with a "same day, same ocean" buddy.)

I've never worried about meeting a guy for a dive, as long as I've chatted with him enough on line to be convinced he is a diver. But I usually meet people for a first dive at one of two sites, both of which are very public.

I agree with talking to your dive shop about shop or club dives. There may also be local dive clubs, and there is always your regional SB forum (where I found one of my most valuable and valued dive buddies!)

 

[Buoyant1]

I can see it now. Full moon shining down, a figure steps into view and pauses. The shadow on the wall has feet hip width apart, rabbit ears and an axe held in the neutral position across both thighs.
Ber :lilbunny:

What about the "flip fins"?

 

[SoCalSwami]

For the newbie lurkers hanging around this thread I think by "screw up" SoCalSwami means act in an unsafe manner.

Thank you for clarifying. Screw-up might be too tough a word, but the examples I had in mind were, loosing your new buddy because of bad awareness, not sticking to the dive plan (running low on air and not communicating), and other follies.

I tend to think of new buddies like a going on a first date. I give more attention to my new buddy and understanding how they dive instead of fish watching or other activities. I tend to think there will be plenty of dives to come once my buddy and I have developed a better level of understanding.

 

[Gombessa]

I think "screw-ups" tend to be pretty blatant, but keeping in mind that communications at depth can be confusing/misinterpreted. A buddy who clearly waves off a turn or thumbs signal, descends past an agreed-upon depth after clearly seeing and disregarding a "level off" sign, etc. would really worry me. One who speeds off in the water without turning back is not immediately a concern, but would warrant a friendly "let's try to stick together" post-dive conversation. New divers rarely mean anything malicious or intentionally unsafe, they may simply be unaware that their behavior is risky.

 

[cherryogirl]

Ya'll are too funny! I went away for the weekend and came back to find ya'll had fun all weekend on here. I'll remember to take my axe and use the "you are no longer my partner" signal if I need to.

 

[riana]

I have had the same concerns and am new to diving also. I live around lake hartwell and am about 2 hours from you but if you wanted to chat and see if we wanted to dive the same spots that would be good for me too. I am planning a couple of trips to the coast Savannah and north carolina) if that interest you. I am also new to diving and think if you are uncomfortable at all calling off the dive is never bad form.