Buddy Diving

[Freedive WI]

Dan,

That was pretty wild that you were down there when the snorkler embolized. I remember when that happend. It was written up in Underwater USA at the time. I also remember using that story as an example with my basic openwater students why they shouldn't try and teach their friends how to dive and bring them to a discover scuba session instead. I think I recall that there were at least two snorklers that had that happen to them within a short amount of time.

I have dove solo in the past, but now I always dive with a buddy. This is the direct result of becoming a father. I know of too many certified instructors, and tech divers, who have died because they were solo- and this happened on dives to less than 100'!

We have a shipwreck off of Milwaukee in 60'-90' of water that has claimed at least 4 divers. 3 were solo diving and the fourth lost his buddy and panicked. When it comes to tech diving I ALWAYS dive with a buddy. For freediving I dive in a team of three or four. This is really true when we go for dives below 60'. Two years ago there were a total of 83 freedivers who died around the world. Most of these deaths were a direct result of spearfishing while solo. I have also seen people Samba, a type of shallow water blackout, first hand.

When it comes to tec-diving we try and make eye contact with our buddies at least once a minute- if not more. When we switch to our deco gases we switch one at a time with our buddies looking us in the eye while we switch gases- this can be the most dangerous part of the dive. My buddy provides another set of back-up gauges and gases. (S)he also carries my back-up tables and cutting shears. They might even be carrying my back-up scoooter if needed. I woudln't even think of planning a trimix dive without my buddy beside me.

When I was young and single I could justify to myself why I should dive solo. After too many years in the water, and witness to too many accidents that never should have happened, I have dampened my tone. Once I became a dad I completely changed my opinion. I have too many responsibilites in my life to take a chance on something so silly. You need to take stock in oyur own life to make these choices for yourself.

You can take all of the precautions that you like, but the truth of the matter is that it can happen to anyone at any level- I've seen it first hand. Lists like this are a great way to find buddies with the same interests and experience levels.


just my $0.02


Jon