For consideration when diving with a new buddy

[Steve S]

<font color='#000080'>just a thought but how expensive would it be to have a credit card type one made, surely not much if we could get enough interest?

Safe diving,
Steve.

P.S I seem to remember the stoney registration card will provide details of next of kin medical conditions etc'

[gblades2]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Porg @ Feb. 24 2004,18:29)]What i have thought about is getting in touch with identi-tag, they do all our dog ID discs.  You can get plastic ones no problem, im sure they are about £5.  Im going to ask about getting both sides of a small plastic plate (about 2 inches by 2 inches) done with details on it to wear under my suit.

I found this site Dog Tags.
£6 for two dog tags (5 lines of 14 characters) with a 24 and 5 inch chain. You should be able to fit contact information on one and diver aid info on the other.

[Dave Crampton]

<font color='#000080'>Having thought about this for some time I have to say I am going to ensure that I understand and agree all signals from my buddy. I do a proper buddy check before every dive, so I know their kit, they know I know their kit, they know my kit, I know they know my kit, and that it all works and is plugged in.

A favourite of mine is I never plug in my drysuit hose, which is usually when I pick it up, on a buddy check.

And as discussed at length with Daz, My buddy and I are in full understanding and agreement that we are a buddy pair, which means we STICK TOGETHER. Size by side, at am arms reach and a slight glance away. Non of this (as has happened in the past) I'll lead and you'll probably end up following 'Behind'. No Your either next to me, or I'll remind you that you should be. If for any reason I or my buddy have any problems whatsoever, we'll be right with each other. My Octopus/Pony will literally be an arms length away and visa versa. there is no point buddying with someone if your not there right when they need you.

I know this is going to sound very anal and restrictive, especially those who like to wonder off and do their own thing. I'm not saying you can't wonder off, just tell me and I'll follow you, right beside you! at all times. These sorts of things I think, should be all agreed on before we enter the water. I appologise if I has upset you with this. I'm not starting a training thing, just a Dicipline thing. If anyone feels they don't want to dive with an upstart like me, I'm quite happy for you to feel that way.

Before all hell breaks free on me, please remember that Daz's original post asked what we should do when diving with a buddy who we have not met before and who's practices and experience we can't be cirtain of. If like a lot of diver on here I'm sure, you dive with your buddy every weekend and have developed some super human sixth sense then fine carry on, fill your boots even. This statement from me is aimed at what I will be doing in the future and what I see as 'good practice' for those what have not dived together in the past, and are meeting for the first time.

[Wacker]

<font color='#0000FF'><span style='font-size:12pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS'>dcrampt
Glad i'm not the only one how dosen't give a f**k what others think about me sticking close to my buddy.
The hole idea of a buddy is they can help in a problem situation, I also like to check on my buddy's air! not coz I don't think they are keeping an eye themselves, but I like to know exactly what is avalable if I need it.  </span></span>

WACK

[daz]

Just to add to Dave's post,

We had a discussion via PM and this really is one of my pet hates when buddying &nbsp;

Having to look around to see where a buddy is gets right on my goat, &nbsp;it is so much easier to just glance to the side and just see them.

Don't get me wrong I don't expect to be bumping into them every 2 minutes but off to the side is ideal, &nbsp;A buddy at my feet while I am finning away from them has a lot less chance of getting support in the event of a problem than one 3m to one side (distance is obviously dependant on conditions and comfort factor ). &nbsp; It is also naturally easier to check the buddy to the side and therefore checks will be more frequent.

Dave, &nbsp;Don't forget to always introduce buddies to the swim side by side signal (I point both index fingers and then bring the hands together so the fingers are side by side). &nbsp;No matter what you agree before hand, it is suprising how often it needs to be reinforced under the water.

Daz

[Helen F H]

<font color='#000080'>have just ordered me some dog tags! &nbsp;you can fit everything on them you really need - name, contact number, date of birth, blood group, the fact you are a diver, give o2, give no entonox. &nbsp;Job done!

[gblades2]

Where did you order the dog tags from?
Was it the site I found or another one?
The site I posted was the only one I could find.

[DiveBuddy2]

<font color='#000080'>What an excellent idea porg im going to pinch that idea if you dont mind. My philosophy is if your not where I can reach you I'm not diving with you. Diving should be a shared experience you are there for each other.

[Mdemon]

Cards are quite cheap to get printed but you need a card printer to do it. &nbsp;They wear quite quickly though. &nbsp;I like the laminated designs shown above.

If we had a standard YD form that could be laminated (and could we put &quot;999 and ask for coastguard&quot; somewhere?), we could chuck them all at the shore cover (if available). &nbsp;If any cards aren't collected, then that's the guy who's missing - nobody gets left behind.

[dlegros]

I knocked up the designs earlier, I can add things as people see fit.

Dom