California Diving News: Easy Diving—How to Find a Dive Buddy

How to Find A Dive Buddy
What keeps you from going diving? The top three answers are usually lack of time, lack of money, and lack of a dive buddy. There are things you can do to combat the first two. We are here, however, to deal with the last—how to find a dive buddy—more importantly, how to find a quality dive buddy.
CLASS
With a dive class you are receiving the same training as your classmates. At the same time, you are under the watchful eye of an instructor. You will share common experiences and go through similar trials. You can observe how potential buddies operate under controlled conditions. You can choose a buddy based on your observations of attentiveness to gear, dive plans, their buddies, etc. If possible “try out” a number of different buddies. Again, this will all be under the watchful eyes of an instructor.

Perhaps the best class for these types of experiences is an Advanced Diver course. The Advanced Diver course will present the ordinary diver with a variety of new diving situations that should challenge your skills and the skills of a potential buddy. You and your classmates will share experiences in deep diving, night diving, navigation, search and recovery and more. Another good class to find a buddy would be Rescue Diver. Of course you could always become an instructor and then make as many buddies as you want!

DIVE CLUB
Clubs are ideal for social butterflies—or wannabee social butterflies. But dive clubs are more then just social clubs. Yes, they actually do dive—a lot. Dive clubs come in all shapes and sizes. They vary with their emphasis. Some specialize in hunters, others photographers. There are even dive clubs for gay and lesbian divers. But what most dive clubs seem to share in common is the cross section of their experience levels, which is usually across the board, from beginner to advanced. More importantly, the more advanced and experienced divers within these groups almost always are willing to buddy up and share their experience with other divers.

DIVE BUDDY DIRECTORY
In this publication is a Dive Buddy Directory where you can search for a buddy or even place your own listing. And it’s free. Dive stores often also maintain bulletin boards for finding a dive buddy. There are some things you can do to get the most out of these directories. First, your prospective buddy should have similar diving interests as you. Some divers, for example, absolutely refuse to dive with divers that hunt. Another important consideration is romantic. Some are frankly looking for romantic companionship as well as a dive buddy. These listing are usually pretty obvious. If you are doing the listing, make it obvious. If you are concerned, ask.

If you are making a listing, be brief but be sure to list your interests, experience level, and where and when you’d like to dive.

ON A DIVE BOAT
Many dive boats will not let you dive alone and insist that you buddy up with somebody aboard the boat. This is the LEAST desirable way to hook up with a buddy. But it is manageable and you can make it work—even safely and with enjoyment.

Talk to your new dive buddy. Come up with common goals and agreed upon dive plan. Discuss hand signals, separation procedures, etc. Become familiar with each other’s gear.

But if you are not comfortable with your assigned buddy, don’t feel compelled to dive with them. Tell the dive master and insist that alternate arrangements are made.

DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE LEVELS
A common misconception is that experience levels of buddy must match. Not so. While an experienced diver has to be careful to not push a beginner buddy beyond his or her limits, dive teams of an experienced diver and a novice can be ideal in moderate situations. The beginner will learn and gain experience and the more advanced diver will be blessed with an attentive buddy.

Dale Sheckler is Editor and Publisher of California Diving News, Producer of the SCUBA Show 2004 expo to be held May 22-23 in Long Beach, CA, and co-author of the book A Diver's Guide to Southern California's Best Beach Dives, 3rd Edition.