Happy Monday Everyone!
Hopefully, you all managed to get some diving in over the last couple of days. It is absolutely beautiful out there right now. Bring on the winter viz!
Today, I want to address a couple of things that consistently come up during boat dives. I am always amazed at how our destinies become intertwined the moment we step on board. Once that boat leaves the dock, we are a team, and looking out for one another is paramount.
1. Listen to the Site Briefing
Even if you’ve dived the same site a zillion times, things change. Your Captain and your Dive Guide know what’s up. Pay attention.
2. The Buddy System is Your Responsibility
Regularly checking in, communicating effectively, and keeping tabs on exactly where your buddy is during a dive isn’t optional—it’s your responsibility. I look for my buddy’s position every 15 to 30 seconds, and because of that habit, I always know where they are. If you lose track of each other, look for your buddy for one minute, then slowly surface. Once there, reconnect and discuss your next steps.
3. Take Care of Yourself First
The best way to be a great dive buddy is to look after yourself first. Before you even head out on a boat charter, it’s on you to ensure your equipment is functioning perfectly and that you are properly weighted.
- Buoyancy needs work? You have to practice. Come out for a group shore dive and work on skills.
- Prone to seasickness? Learn to recognize your unique early symptoms before they escalate.
Take precautions early! Gravol is your friend, but it doesn’t do any good if you’ve already barfed. By having your act together and prioritizing your own readiness, you prevent yourself from becoming a liability to the rest of the team.
Striving for #OnePercentBetter
Everyone in the Scuba MUDs community is committed to being #onepercentbetter on every single dive. No one expects perfection out there, but we do expect excellence. We achieve that by continuing to work on ourselves, practicing basic skills, and taking courses to build on what we’ve already accomplished.
Let’s keep lifting each other up and staying sharp. See you out on the water!
In the video below, Astronaut Chris Hadfield talks about how every astronaut is responsible for their own early recognition of space sickness and how to deal with it before it becomes a problem.
