The Good, the Bad, and the Buoyant

Dive buddies: they can make or break your underwater adventure. Some are amazing and can become lifelong friends. Others are liabilities. Here are 9 dive buddy types you’re bound to meet — including the ideal one.

9 Different Dive Buddy Types

From the ultra-prepared to the totally unpredictable, here are 9 dive buddy types you’re likely to meet:

• The Nature Guide.
• The Photographer/Videographer.
• The Swimmer.
• The Slow Poke.
• Captain Oblivious.
• The Tec Diver.
• The Time Capsule Diver.
• The Castaway.
• The Newbie.

The Nature Guide

The Nature Guide has 2 certifications, the PADI Fish Identification in addition to Underwater Naturalist specialty and won’t forget to mention a library of Fish ID books in their car.

During the dives, you will find them regularly signaling to highlight any juvenile fish, camouflaged cephalopods, and amazing rock formations. The Nature Guide is considered an ideal one from the different dive buddy types if you were photographer/videographer.

The Photographer/Videographer

Having the Photographer/Videographer as your dive buddy has its pros and cons. He will take great photos for you on your dived, but his attention may be behind the lens a lot of the time. Because of that, the Photographer/Videographer and their dive buddy should keep in mind taking the PADI Self-Reliant Diver specialty.

The Peak Performance Buoyancy specialty is also considered another valuable course for both of you. A Photographer/Videographer is usually looking for a model to be their dive buddy, which may involve getting close to delicate marine creatures..

Similarly, a great shot needs excellent buoyancy and all image shooters should make sure you have mastered buoyancy control before reaching for the camera.

The Swimmer

The swimmer is one of the different dive buddy types who wanted to explore the entire ocean floor on one dive? The swimmer tends to run out of air quickly and utilizes a dangerous philosophy “same ocean same dive”.

The Slow Poke

The Slow Poke is a dive buddy who spends 30 minutes looking at a rock. Without the occasional bubbles, you might be still wondering if he is still alive or not. This type of buddy isn’t suitable for everyone (they drive Swimmers crazy) but he is considered a good one for photographers/videographers and Nature Guides.

The Bragger

Regardless of the place you’ve been diving in years ago – before other divers ruined it. The Bragger has never peed in the wetsuit ever and can make a long dive for three hours on a single tank.

Without the bragger, no need for a compass, The Bragger once gave a dolphin directions. Just hope they’re not your dive buddy. They may be talking up their experience because they haven’t logged a dive in twenty years.

Captain Oblivious

Captain Oblivious is another less-than-ideal dive buddy. This is one of the different dive buddy types that is easily distracted by shiny objects, marine life, their camera, etc.

You may find Captain Oblivious diving up right above you, or swim off the other way. This dive buddy may unintentionally descend beyond recreational limits and cause problems to themselves and others.

The Tec Diver 

When you have a Tec Diver as a dive buddy, there is no need to worry about forgetting a piece of equipment. With the Tec Diver, you have two backups of everything.

The Tec Diver will give you great advice about buying gear and will follow you through any swim-through, no matter how tight. Just be prepared for this dive buddy to continually tell you reasons to try rebreather diving.

The Time Capsule Diver

The Time Capsule Diver is the opposite of The Tech Diver. This diver hasn’t buyed new scuba equipment since they started diving. You will probably find these problems in their equipment:

• Their buoyancy compensator is leaking.
• Their dive computer barely syncs with the transmitter.
• Their worn-out wetsuit is about to dissolve into the ocean.

Actually, the time capsule diver can afford new scuba gear, but they insist on using their original gear even if it hasn’t been serviced or is out-of-date and this can put them in dangerous situations.

The Castaway

You probably won’t know you are scuba diving with The Castaway until the dive is almost over. After sticking closely to him like good buddies should, The Castaway will turn to you and ask “where’s the dive boat?” At this moment, you’ll both be wishing you’d pass the PADI Underwater Navigator specialty course.

The Newbie

Having a new diver as a dive buddy has its pros and cons. Their air consumption might not be perfect, but their energy spreads.

Being a dive buddy to a new diver forces you to do your best to be a good role model by staying away from the reef and doing air checks regularly. Avoid tight swim-throughs, and tell them if you saw any hazards they might not be aware of, such as titan triggerfish, fire coral, electric rays, etc…

The Best Type of Dive Buddy?

The PADI Rescue Diver is the best one from the different dive buddy types. Who would you rather have as a buddy? An Open Water Diver or a PADI® Rescue Diver?

The Rescue Diver course is “serious fun,” and regarded as a rewarding way to learn safe scuba diving skills and enhance your confidence.

You can enroll now in the Rescue Diver program either after your new diving certification or PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

At first, you will learn to identify potential issues before they happen and, working besides with a PADI Instructor, you’ll act as if there are emergency situations then practice how to respond. You’ll get to know your buddy’s gear, so you should be ready if something goes wrong.

Divers who finished the PADI Rescue Diver course confirm that it was the best course they’ve ever taken, and many dive instructors also say that Rescue is their favorite class to teach because they see the transformation of their students in front of their eyes. Want to start now? Enroll in the Rescue Diver course with DRAR DIVING center.

Looking for a dive buddy?

Visit your local PADI Dive Center or Resort and ask about any local dive clubs or fun diving opportunities where you can meet other friends from scuba divers. It is also better to read our article “How to Become a Good Dive Buddy?“.