Posted by Eins on July 24, 2002 at 22:54:14:
In Reply to: lack of buddys and dive boats posted by strfsh on July 24, 2002 at 22:07:02:
If I get you right and you're starting with dive 1 after certification, you may want to reconsider going on a dive boat without a buddy who knows you and who will take care of you. I say this not out of disrespect, but out of experience. Being paired up with someone who does not know you and your needs as a brand new diver, you're asking for--well, at least bad experience. Find someone who will take you 'by the hand' and show you the ropes. The real ropes, after school.
One good way to do this is to find a dive club and become a member of a group who will take care of you. Once you are a little more experienced (after, say, 10 - 20 dives), you can then consider to go on dive boats by yourself without knowing anybody. At least by then you know what you are doing and what to look for in a buddy.
But then, maybe you are a natural and can teach us old salts something ;-)