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I know you and Ben had a beef Dan but this behaviour is petty and doesn't serve the community. I agree with many points you make, but not this.
I think we can all agree this happens too often, and tragedy is always best avioded when possible, if it serves to cause one diver one day to be actually watching out for his buddy, or someone who was gona go alone, make the effort to have someone to share the experience with amd it saves someones life its worth.
I try my hardest to be strict on the buddy system, waiting till 2 divers are ready to hit anything deeper than 50, not inviting back anyone that tend to wander after being told, Seeking out and cultivating relationships with like minded people that want the same things, to have fun and above all come back home.
The statement that buddy diving doesnt work is iresponsible, it behoves us all to make it WORK. Granted sometimes its tough, nearly impossible but ALWAYS do your best
Do i dive less because I will rarely go it alone now a days.? Yes. Is it more rewarding, hell yeah, High fiving your buddy after stonning a fish, Fending an unseen sark off his 6, or saving a fish of a lifetime as it shakes free still green, oh yeah and saving his life, makes the added efort. Worth it, Theres even people i dont like, that i would take as a wingman imstead of going alone. No one really ever talks about mentoring younger divers, its a great chance to increase the margin of safety, when done correctly. In the last 2 years my crew and I have had no trouble landing our share of nice fish, even under my rules, that by Somes logic should be a handycap.
An attentive partner and teammate in the water is never and should never be considered or be advertised as a hindrence or crutch, thats just bananas, and the facts prove it.
A few of my buddies first wahoo amd fish we 2x as rewarding for me than if I had shot them myself. Especially since my deal is, I will take you, amd cover gas, but the 1st fish you shoot is for the boat:)). With 1 upgrade in case the 2nd is nicer;). All the ones after are upto the diver discretion
Ben shot his first Grouper in the double digits on my boat, I was way more stoked about that fish than had I landed it. For me it would have been very very sad to see him go. Probably would have made me more wary and made it less enjoyable over all