What Makes a Good Dive Buddy?

Published 12 years agoon August 26, 2013

One of the most common questions I have heard since being in Cyprus as a diving professional is: “what makes a good dive buddy?” I’ve asked myself this many times as each dive buddy is somewhat different from the next. Is it their diving equipment? Their techniques? Their personality?

Since becoming a Padi Dive master in Cyprus I can definitely say that a buddy’s level of training & experience should be at the top of the list. Perhaps you are not the greatest of friends out of the water, but the moment you both hit the water your buddy must be a calm, collected and relaxed diver who simply enjoys diving with you, and you with him.

Secondly their diving equipment. Buying second hand equipment is not always the best thing to do; yes, it may be cheaper, but that definitely does not mean safer. Always make sure that their gear has been maintained well, and that you know the orientation of everything before you jump in with them. A buddy is a good buddy if you can turn to him on a dive, signal OK and see him respond immediately. I want to glance at him during the dive and think “WOW! He’s got great technique!” Also a good buddy is one who is always just an arm’s reach away. Whoever you choose to dive with, be it a rescue diver, a recently certified open water diver or a weathered diver with more than a thousand dives under their belt – just remember it is safer, more fun and just plain easier to dive with a buddy. Always be a S.A.F.E diver, perform your buddy check before entering the water and enjoy every second of it.

Your buddy is not just someone to dive with. He or she can also act as a role model. So if your buddy is a Rescue Diver and you’re an open water diver, maybe he will inspire you to progress onwards and upwards by take your diver training further! Why not get in contact with us monkeys here at Scuba monkey in Ayia Napa and find out about the huge number of courses we offer… all in the warm and beautiful Mediterranean waters around Cyprus? Visit us at http://www.scuba-monkey.com/to find out more!

What are looking for in a buddy? Tell us in the comments below!

Alexandra Dimitriou

Alexandra Dimitriou is a dive center owner in Agia Napa, Cyprus. She became a diver in 1992 and received her bachelor’s degree in Oceanography at Plymouth University in 2003. Her love of the ocean has always been her driving force, and this has led to the natural progression of becoming a diving instructor in 2005. She is currently a PADI staff instructor and owner at Scuba Monkey Ltd.