Diving with new people

[FW]

Well, I'd hate to develop the attitude that I wouldn't dive with anybody but my "team", in part because I haven't got one and can't always count on having known buddies, and in part because I've been shown SO much generosity on the part of people further along than I am, as I have built my cave diving experience. Most of them knew OF me, from on line conversations, but didn't really KNOW me, and hadn't ever been in the water with me. And they've been part of some of my best memories, and also been part of developing my skills.

But it doesn't seem that any of you are annoyed or offended by being asked for some information about training and experience, and that's really what I started the thread to find out. Because I just felt funny doing it.

Like I said earlier, I have been asked many times about my background. Once they find out, they are sometimes embarrased they didn't recognize me, but it never bothered me one bit

[WJH]

Well, I'd hate to develop the attitude that I wouldn't dive with anybody but my "team", in part because I haven't got one and can't always count on having known buddies, and in part because I've been shown SO much generosity on the part of people further along than I am, as I have built my cave diving experience. Most of them knew OF me, from on line conversations, but didn't really KNOW me, and hadn't ever been in the water with me. And they've been part of some of my best memories, and also been part of developing my skills.

But it doesn't seem that any of you are annoyed or offended by being asked for some information about training and experience, and that's really what I started the thread to find out. Because I just felt funny doing it.

While I welcome any questions about my skill level/diving history/procedures from potential buddies, I consider the question of who trained me to be completely irrelevant. I am proud to have been trained by my instructor and will happily name him, but my current abilities and practices are much more shaped by the dozens of other divers I have had as buddies (especially the frequent buddies) since I was given my card.

And I have been turned down as a buddy by a DIR enthusiast who could not deal with the fact that I carry my safety reel on my right hip D-ring. Other DIR-trained or -leaning divers have been great dive buddies, though--I do not discriminate against them.

WJH

[Jim Wyatt]

A few suggestions of things to discuss follow. Also, I tell all my students that picking up a dive buddy in the parking lot can be more dangerous than picking up a ##### in a bar.

• Look at their gear configuration and understand it. This may help you understand them better. Would you dive with someone who has their long hose on their left post? How about someone who breathes the short hose & stuffs the long hose?
• Determine what condition the gear is in. Ask them if it is rented gear or if they own it.
• Ask them to explain/defend their gear configurations if they seem "odd" or unconventional.
• Ask to SEE their cave certification card.
• Ask them when was the last time they went diving? Make sure the last dive was not in a pool, or if it was when was the last open water dive.
• Ask when is the last time they went cave diving? Ask them about that cave dive: Who with, where, etc.
• Ask them what you as a team will do in the event of a siltout.
• Ask them if they have any medical problems.
• Ask them when the last time they practiced various drills: Primary light failure, gas sharing, lost buddy etc.
• Ask them HOW they conduct the items above. It would be nice to know how they deal with gas sharing in good vis as well as zero vis.
• Ask them how they account for decompression.
• Make sure you gas match with them if using dissimilar volume tanks.
• Make sure you conduct S-Drills in the water.
• Make sure you see them test their backup lights.

There are probably more things but this list works for me.

[icestac]

I think all of my dives are either with 1 of a handful of people or more recently solo. In any event, I am prepared to take care of myself and I like that solo mindset even when in a team.

I am starting to expand my diving and am doing the same thing I did when I first started -- taking it slow and easy. There is no need to push anything real far, just do the appropriate gas planning and do one dive at a time. Progressively get more comfortable with the equipment/buddy/site/____ until I am as comfortable as I would be with "my team" in one of my familiar caves.

All that being said, I am looking forward to meeting new people and creating new experiences.

Cheers,
Jeff

[amphipod06]

A few suggestions of things to discuss follow. Also, I tell all my students that picking up a dive buddy in the parking lot can be more dangerous than picking up a ##### in a bar.

• Look at their gear configuration and understand it. This may help you understand them better. Would you dive with someone who has their long hose on their left post? How about someone who breathes the short hose & stuffs the long hose?
• Determine what condition the gear is in. Ask them if it is rented gear or if they own it.
• Ask them to explain/defend their gear configurations if they seem "odd" or unconventional.
• Ask to SEE their cave certification card.
• Ask them when was the last time they went diving? Make sure the last dive was not in a pool, or if it was when was the last open water dive.
• Ask when is the last time they went cave diving? Ask them about that cave dive: Who with, where, etc.
• Ask them what you as a team will do in the event of a siltout.
• Ask them if they have any medical problems.
• Ask them when the last time they practiced various drills: Primary light failure, gas sharing, lost buddy etc.
• Ask them HOW they conduct the items above. It would be nice to know how they deal with gas sharing in good vis as well as zero vis.
• Ask them how they account for decompression.
• Make sure you gas match with them if using dissimilar volume tanks.
• Make sure you conduct S-Drills in the water.
• Make sure you see them test their backup lights.

There are probably more things but this list works for me.

Excellent checklist!!

Dive safe,

Celia

[MengTze]

.....
That said, I dive with a self-rescue/solo mindset and gear configuration. I will be there to help my new buddy out, but I won't count on him to do the same. If he's able to render assistance, that's great, but I'm not betting my life on it.

I think this is THE best baseline you can set for yourself when diving with strangers.

[Ben M]

In any event, I am prepared to take care of myself and I like that solo mindset even when in a team.

Others have said this as well and I agree with it, but you must also consider that a bad buddy can be more of a hindrance than just diving solo. Minor nuisance of a silt trail behind him/her, more severe of breaking lines, and worse case physical confrontation if said diver NEEDS gas or panics. Just food for thought as it is not quite a solo dive.

[icestac]

Others have said this as well and I agree with it, but you must also consider that a bad buddy can be more of a hindrance than just diving solo. Minor nuisance of a silt trail behind him/her, more severe of breaking lines, and worse case physical confrontation if said diver NEEDS gas or panics. Just food for thought as it is not quite a solo dive.

Very good point. I've got a new perspective on this thread now.

Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff

[Shocky]

Over the years and several incidents and living in the litigious SE Florida, I'm pretty much solo in OW and I'm about that way in cave. I really only want to be responsible for one life. Besides, I'm old, slow and don't go back too far. Besides, most people I've met want to do more challenging stuff.
John

[LCF]

most people I've met want to do more challenging stuff.

Funny -- that's what the great pick-up buddy I had the other day said, too.