Vetting buddies

[LCF]

Over the last few years, I have both petitioned to dive with people, and been the recipient of requests to dive with us. In the beginning, I was rather laissez-faire about it, but experience has changed me.

I recently wrote a long message to someone, both giving my husband's and my bona fides, and requesting theirs, and as I wrote it, I could envision the person on the other end being offended and annoyed at being asked for this information. I wanted to know with whom they trained, how much experience they had, and where they had dived. I don't think I'd be angry with someone for asking for those things, but I could see someone else being that way.

When someone contacts you from out of the blue, what do you ask for, to be comfortable going into the overhead with them?

[pink arrows]

I don't think I would dive with someone who DIDN'T ask those questions.

[WJH]

I'll agree to dive with pretty much anyone who is cave certified, but will ask what level of cert. And the first dive will be what I consider a simple one, something I would be comfortable diving solo that includes little or no deco, while I observe their skills and attitude and allow them to evaluate me before we move on to anything more complicated. I don't consider who they trained with to be of any importance.

But I would not feel at all put out at any level of info my new buddy wanted to know of me before we dive together. So, when are you coming to MO to dive some cold caves with me, Lynne?

WJH

[sontek]

I think experience/credentials are important depending and definitely you should ask someone before jumping in the water with someone. I do this if I'm diving with someone for the first time in open water.

But as a new cave diver (I only have intro to cave)... What is the best way to find new buddies and get experience if no one was willing to dive with me since I don't have the experience? :P

[stairman]

I may ask who they trained with etc. but its not that big a deal with me. I feel like I can take care of myself and am not dependant on others since I go alone occationally anyways. If I see their skills are poor I may turn the dive for their safety or the caves, and not mine but it hasent happened yet. I do prefer to go second going in to so I can see how the newly accuired bud is doing and after that all is good.

[FW]

I will dive with anyone, but then I was an instructor for many years. I still ask some questions, so I don't accidentally take them beyond their comfort level.

[gsk3]

I wanted to know with whom they trained, how much experience they had, and where they had dived.

To me, "How recently?" is a key question as well. And team-orientedness, which is easier to glean from talking to their past dive buddies than from talking to them directly.

I'll dive with anyone, but if the answers to those questions make me nervous, we're doing a quarry dive together in 30 feet first.

[JCGoodwin]

Great question and it is only responsible to ask questions and or set limits to your initial dives.
Personally as a Intro / Basic level diver I would not dive with anyone who did not ask questions and be forth coming.
I have learned a lot from diving with others and made some great new friends.
I find that my cave diving experience has altered my dive buddy selection in ALL of my personal diving.
Training is one thing but when it comes to more challenging dives the list is short and experience is golden.
I will dive with anyone as long as they are not exceeding their training / experience and comfort level.

A initial check out dive is always a good idea to form an honest evaluation of each others skills.
I am sure that I will be scrutinized this season back here for my new attitude but I guess it is time some others learn to understand some of the why's of advanced dives.
To many are rushing into environments that are not trained for or have the appropriate gear to do the dives safely.
Just my opinion so they can do as they wish just do not blame me for my dive practices.

JCG

[Tegg]

Over the last few years, I have both petitioned to dive with people, and been the recipient of requests to dive with us. In the beginning, I was rather laissez-faire about it, but experience has changed me.

I recently wrote a long message to someone, both giving my husband's and my bona fides, and requesting theirs, and as I wrote it, I could envision the person on the other end being offended and annoyed at being asked for this information. I wanted to know with whom they trained, how much experience they had, and where they had dived. I don't think I'd be angry with someone for asking for those things, but I could see someone else being that way.

When someone contacts you from out of the blue, what do you ask for, to be comfortable going into the overhead with them?

So, what are your "minimum" requirements for the above questions?

[FW]

So, what are your "minimum" requirements for the above questions?

I am not sure there are any minimum requirements, you just adjust the dive to the answers.