HBDiveGirl

A friend asked a great question: What's the best way to dive with a new or unfamiliar diver
-------
First, I follow my instinct.

If something doesn't feel "right" in the interactions or observations of the potential buddy, I trust that and don't extend the invite.

Pre-selection is part of the safety process.

Then... at the dive site, I take time to be earnestly clear about my expectations with regards to max depth, gas management, navigation... and response to most common emergencies.



I'm all smiles, but I really talk about all this and confirm understanding.

• I SHOW what it will look like if he/she comes to me out of gas.
• I TALK about buddy being the first resource for help, but that if they lose me I'll look for 90 seconds and then surface and wait for them there. I'll expect them to do the same.

I'm smiling but I'm very clear.


Too many watery stories under the bridge to let this nonsense happen again.

• I SHOW them what it will look like if I come to them to get gas.
• I talk about a slow controlled ascent if we do have any problems.
  If buddy corks, I won't do a sympathy cork.
  As Ken loves to say, "Somebody has to drive them to the chamber..."
• I specify a "tag-up" psi, "Tell me when you hit X-psi and I'll let you know when I hit that."
• I review emergency gear I'm carrying (including wetnotes) and look at theirs. "If in doubt, the wetnotes are coming out."
• I demo light communication. "Fast back and forth light in my face will get you a regulator in your grill.. sorry! Wave slowly, please"
• Dive to stay found.

All this takes about 15 minutes, 20 at the most.... and it's not buzzkill deadly serious.
We're going to have fun!!!
I'm doing this to protect the fun.
But I make sure I'm understood.

If it's a really new diver, we're hanging at 40 - 45 max.
If there's some experience but no technically oriented advanced training, we'll be hanging at 60 max.

Oh, and I show them where my car key is and my cell phone.
(hmmm... damn thing has a password on it now. I'll need to write that down on tape in the cargo area and show them where.)


It's a bit of work, but it beats the alternative of lost buddy, gas-volume surprises, and UWFTC (UnderWater Failure To Communicate).


Make this effort so you can joy every minute of fun and learning... and safety.


~~~~
Claudette