When/With Whom to Dive

[MengTze]

I have a great buddy who has FAR more experience than I have. I have called many dives on him in the past, way before his time was up. We dive regularly (well, not the last two months maybe) and I keep learning through the experiences. I guess sometimes buddies just enjoy each others company, learn from each other and love the caves.

[fno]

I too had many a buddy that was far more skilled than me in my earlier days. More often than not, I am still lucky enough to get a dive in with one of them. I also try to pay back the favor when I can by taking someone with less experience or doesn't get to frequent cave country very often on dives.

[flyguy199]

Just like anything else, I think you'll become a better cave diver by cave diving with buddies who are better and more experienced than you. When it comes to learning act like a sponge and absorb as much as you can.

[LCF]

I'm very grateful for the people who have been willing to dive with me, who have way more experience than I have (which is almost everybody). I learn a ton from them. They know what kind of diver I am, so there aren't any surprises.

In your situation, if you WANTED to do the dive, I would have gone. Your buddies knew who you were when they invited you, I would think.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

If they invite you, they oughta know you might turn it early I'm thankfull for those who I've dived with and turned early, or prevented them from a more advanced dive, or whatever.

I try to pay it forward to my buddies who are cavern, intro, or whatever certified. I'll dive 1/6ths in a cavern, better than not being wet.

[sskasser]

If they invite you, they oughta know you might turn it early I'm thankfull for those who I've dived with and turned early, or prevented them from a more advanced dive, or whatever.

I try to pay it forward to my buddies who are cavern, intro, or whatever certified. I'll dive 1/6ths in a cavern, better than not being wet.

Exactly! Thanks, Mat, for putting it perfectly.

Skip, C&J know you and your diving style/abilities. Trust them to be sincere in the invitation, then trust yourself to turn the dive when you should.

Shirley

[wingman]

I remember a story I read about Exley, He and a buddy were doing a multiple stage dive penetration into a long system. He and his buddy would breathe a stage and then drop it. Later on a dive to pick up the stages, another diver accompanied Sheck and they were going to use the stages on the way back out as a part of their gas....Sheck picked up his and the new diver picked up his buddies. As they started picking up stages his buddy noticed way less gas then what should have been there and ended up with not enough gas for the exit (I may have the details wrong but the gist is correct, those in the know can provide the exact details). The point is the other diver dove beyond his limits to keep up with Sheck...an error. I hate being in those situations so like you skip I would have declined to do the dive. I actually have said no to many dives for just that reason. Bill

[FW]

I remember a story I read about Exley, He and a buddy were doing a multiple stage dive penetration into a long system. He and his buddy would breathe a stage and then drop it. Later on a dive to pick up the stages, another diver accompanied Sheck and they were going to use the stages on the way back out as a part of their gas....Sheck picked up his and the new diver picked up his buddies. As they started picking up stages his buddy noticed way less gas then what should have been there and ended up with not enough gas for the exit (I may have the details wrong but the gist is correct, those in the know can provide the exact details). The point is the other diver dove beyond his limits to keep up with Sheck...an error. I hate being in those situations so like you skip I would have declined to do the dive. I actually have said no to many dives for just that reason. Bill

That is pretty accurate.

[WJH]

I too had many a buddy that was far more skilled than me in my earlier days. More often than not, I am still lucky enough to get a dive in with one of them. I also try to pay back the favor when I can by taking someone with less experience or doesn't get to frequent cave country very often on dives.

Right on! I too have a big debt from the superior divers who took me along when I was the inexperienced one. Occasionally I still get to experience that. And as often as possible I pay it back by taking the newer ones with me.

*What the newer divers don't know is that these dives are also very rewarding for me! I get to relax and dive well within my comfort range while also staying sharp by getting practice in the basics and trying to perform up to the standards of "role model".

WJH

[jcr]

Some dives should be called in the parking lot. You made the right decision.

Plan a few dives that you are comfortable with and invite those guys or others to join you. That way you are comfortable with the dive plan and don't have the performance anxiety.