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7 Essential Predive QuestionsIf only there was Speed Diving like Speed Dating to find the perfect match. Ya know, like finding someone with the same dive skills, same air consumption rate, and same dive interest during a quick rotational meet and greet.
Well, we can’t offer that service but we do have Wednesday Night Dives which is the next closest thing. |
Each week, we sponsor FREE local lake dives and they are a great way to meet divers and to network. Our onsite staff will help make introductions and arrange buddy teams. Don’t worry if you don't know anyone at these events. You won’t be solo for long.
But…..dive buddies are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’ll get or rather who you’ll be paired up with for the dive. To set the groundwork for a good dive, a safe experience and to develop long-term friendships, here are a few pre-dive questions you should ask.
Q1. How many dives have you done? This isn’t true confession time nor a chance to brag, it’s simply a way to gauge a person’s experience. Besides asking how many dives your new buddy has logged, it’s a great idea to extend the conversation to ‘When was your last dive? Why is this important? Because someone who has 100 logged dives over the past 20 years may be less proficient than someone with 20 logged dives this summer. Again, this questioning isn’t a contest; there are no wrong answers, it’s just a simple benchmark to understand dive proficiency.
Q2. Where have you been diving? Everyone loves to talk about their favorite dive sites and this simple question gives you insight into their depth of experience. Obviously, diving in Caribbean clear, warm water is significantly different that exploring our local lakes. Has your new dive buddy ever been in a 7mm wetsuit, ever dove where there's a thermoclines or ever experienced low visibility? You definitely should know this ahead of time to anticipate any potential struggles. An under weighted, under dressed diver means a very short, frustrating dive for both of you. SHOUT OUT: I want to stop here to salute all the warm water divers who are willing to move beyond their comfort zone (physically and mentally) to experience Michigan dives. If you resemble such a person, try to find a buddy who has local lake experience and is willing to mentor you through this new experience. They can offer insight about the dive conditions and our unique diving procedures. I guarantee you, there are people willing to help you acclimate to local dive conditions.
Q3. Do you have any goals for this dive? This simple question can save a lot of frustration. For example, the Speed Demon diver (constantly in motion) doesn’t mix well with the Macro Photographer (rarely in motion) who doesn’t mix AT ALL with the Treasure Hunter/Grubber who thinks underwater visibility is overrated. Then, there’s the Surface When Empty diver who should never be paired with a constantly signalling Are-You Okay? nervous diver. Need more examples? Imagine the disciplined Tech Diver paired with the ‘Plan the dive and dive the….. SQUIRREL! diver. So how do you best avoid this? Ask Eric, our SASS local lake dive leader to help you find someone with like interests. *
Q4. Can we review some dive signals? Even long-time buddy teams have issues with underwater communication so don’t assume you’ll be successful with a stranger.
Review basic signals like:
Q6 Can I look at your gear configuration? This is an easy conversation starter and since there are several acceptable standards for gear configuration, it's essential to do. Do they use an octopus regulator or an alternate air source? If it’s an alternate air source, do you know the emergency shared air procedure or even how to inflate their BCD if necessary? Does their BCD have integrated weight pouches? If so, how do you release them in an emergency? There are a variety of release mechanisms. But wait! Here's a hidden benefit to asking this question. You’re also playing detective. While asking about the weight pocket releases, check to make sure the pockets are securely clipped in. While asking about the alternate air source, do a quick check that the gear is assembled correctly and that the air is on. Get my point? This one simple question allows you to do a equipment safety check without insulting your newfound friend.
Q7: Can I size you up? Okay, you really need to reword this question, but I’m referring to air consumption compatibility. The Gas Guzzler and the ‘Is She Even Breathing’ diver are generally not a good match….. unless they are using different size tanks. This is basic physiology people! A large man has large lungs and thus a greater tidal lung volume than a small person with tiny lungs. No amount of dive experience and comfort level will compensate for size. So, size up your dive buddy, both body size and tank size then no one has to grumble that they came up with 1900 psi left in their tank because their buddy had already hit 500 psi.
Final Word of Advice: Laugh a little! Use these 7 simple questions as an ice breaker. No one expects you to dive like Jacque Cousteau, especially Millennials and GenZ who probably don't even know who he is. Everyone was a beginning diver at one time. You go diving to have fun. You go diving to get proficient. You go diving to meet like-minded people. So laugh and enjoy the experience.
Kim Sass
* Several years ago, I read an article by Jennifer Ackerman; I cannot remember where or when exactly. However, I did make note of her humorous and very descriptive labels for divers which I couldn't help but use in this article.
But…..dive buddies are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’ll get or rather who you’ll be paired up with for the dive. To set the groundwork for a good dive, a safe experience and to develop long-term friendships, here are a few pre-dive questions you should ask.
Q1. How many dives have you done? This isn’t true confession time nor a chance to brag, it’s simply a way to gauge a person’s experience. Besides asking how many dives your new buddy has logged, it’s a great idea to extend the conversation to ‘When was your last dive? Why is this important? Because someone who has 100 logged dives over the past 20 years may be less proficient than someone with 20 logged dives this summer. Again, this questioning isn’t a contest; there are no wrong answers, it’s just a simple benchmark to understand dive proficiency.
Q2. Where have you been diving? Everyone loves to talk about their favorite dive sites and this simple question gives you insight into their depth of experience. Obviously, diving in Caribbean clear, warm water is significantly different that exploring our local lakes. Has your new dive buddy ever been in a 7mm wetsuit, ever dove where there's a thermoclines or ever experienced low visibility? You definitely should know this ahead of time to anticipate any potential struggles. An under weighted, under dressed diver means a very short, frustrating dive for both of you. SHOUT OUT: I want to stop here to salute all the warm water divers who are willing to move beyond their comfort zone (physically and mentally) to experience Michigan dives. If you resemble such a person, try to find a buddy who has local lake experience and is willing to mentor you through this new experience. They can offer insight about the dive conditions and our unique diving procedures. I guarantee you, there are people willing to help you acclimate to local dive conditions.
Q3. Do you have any goals for this dive? This simple question can save a lot of frustration. For example, the Speed Demon diver (constantly in motion) doesn’t mix well with the Macro Photographer (rarely in motion) who doesn’t mix AT ALL with the Treasure Hunter/Grubber who thinks underwater visibility is overrated. Then, there’s the Surface When Empty diver who should never be paired with a constantly signalling Are-You Okay? nervous diver. Need more examples? Imagine the disciplined Tech Diver paired with the ‘Plan the dive and dive the….. SQUIRREL! diver. So how do you best avoid this? Ask Eric, our SASS local lake dive leader to help you find someone with like interests. *
Q4. Can we review some dive signals? Even long-time buddy teams have issues with underwater communication so don’t assume you’ll be successful with a stranger.
Review basic signals like:
- Low on air
- Out of air
- Let’s turn around and go back
- Where’s the beach?
- My ears won’t clear
- I’m not comfortable
- Swim slower
Q6 Can I look at your gear configuration? This is an easy conversation starter and since there are several acceptable standards for gear configuration, it's essential to do. Do they use an octopus regulator or an alternate air source? If it’s an alternate air source, do you know the emergency shared air procedure or even how to inflate their BCD if necessary? Does their BCD have integrated weight pouches? If so, how do you release them in an emergency? There are a variety of release mechanisms. But wait! Here's a hidden benefit to asking this question. You’re also playing detective. While asking about the weight pocket releases, check to make sure the pockets are securely clipped in. While asking about the alternate air source, do a quick check that the gear is assembled correctly and that the air is on. Get my point? This one simple question allows you to do a equipment safety check without insulting your newfound friend.
Q7: Can I size you up? Okay, you really need to reword this question, but I’m referring to air consumption compatibility. The Gas Guzzler and the ‘Is She Even Breathing’ diver are generally not a good match….. unless they are using different size tanks. This is basic physiology people! A large man has large lungs and thus a greater tidal lung volume than a small person with tiny lungs. No amount of dive experience and comfort level will compensate for size. So, size up your dive buddy, both body size and tank size then no one has to grumble that they came up with 1900 psi left in their tank because their buddy had already hit 500 psi.
Final Word of Advice: Laugh a little! Use these 7 simple questions as an ice breaker. No one expects you to dive like Jacque Cousteau, especially Millennials and GenZ who probably don't even know who he is. Everyone was a beginning diver at one time. You go diving to have fun. You go diving to get proficient. You go diving to meet like-minded people. So laugh and enjoy the experience.
Kim Sass
* Several years ago, I read an article by Jennifer Ackerman; I cannot remember where or when exactly. However, I did make note of her humorous and very descriptive labels for divers which I couldn't help but use in this article.
