At this romantic time of year when love is in the air , Kirsty Andrews devotes her column to buddy love
KIRSTYANDREWS
My buddy Valentine
At this romantic time of year when love is in the air , Kirsty Andrews devotes her column to buddy love
Finding the perfect buddy is a job for Goldilocks : a submerged companion who stays not too near , not too far , but just right . Similar interests , complementary equipment , similar gas consumption if you ’ re lucky , similar enthusiasm . Doesn ’ t find your odd habits annoying and you don ’ t seem to notice theirs either . Tricky to find , but worth holding onto ; a relationship to last a lifetime .
Can you remember your ‘ first date ’ with your favourite buddy ? Did nerves abound , and were you on best behaviour , looking to your buddy for cues as to what to do ? Politeness personified : “ After you through that awkwardly-shaped hatch into the engine room ”; “ No , after you .” Or maybe one of you was more confident and took the lead , showing the way for the less experienced partner , even showing off a bit . You were at your most attentive , not quite sure how your buddy would behave and whether they were to be trusted yet …
Then , trip by trip , your relationship blossomed and you became inseparable ; the first names down on the expedition list , your keenness multiplied by two and your enjoyment of the dives immeasurably increased . These days , you fit together like a wrinkly hand into an old glove ; you know each other ’ s finicky habits and pet peeves ; you know exactly what your buddy ’ ll be thinking , where they ’ ll be , when it ’ s time to head up , and as you both surface you ’ ll have no hesitation or embarrassment in pointing
“ Woe betide a broken buddy pairing ” out that stray bit of snot on their cheek .
Woe betide a broken buddy pairing ; arguments underwater can get heated : whose turn was it to put up the dSMB anyway ? There ’ s no mistaking the body language underwater and not many spots to storm off to , especially if you ’ re on a liveaboard for the next week . Buddies who fall out are a Diving Officer ’ s headache , as they necessitate a frantic rejigging of the rest of the pairs , perhaps for the rest of the season and beyond .
Of course , talking of a Diving Officer ’ s responsibilities and from a club perspective , natural pairings are all well and good but it ’ s the ‘ utility players ’ that are most valuable . Those generoushearted souls who are quite happy to take a turn with anyone if it serves the DO ’ s purpose , or even two at a time if the need arises . These mellow minglers may seem to be undiscriminating , but actually , to a trip organiser , they are the real heroes . “ First timer ? All new equipment ? Not been in the water for ten years ? Been rejected by your last four buddies ? Come on in with me , the water ’ s warm ( ish ).”
Going back several years ago when I last wore the Diving Officer ’ s mantle , getting buddy pairs right was in my view the most important factor in ensuring a stress-free trip full of contented souls . I ’ d even wrench apart regular pairings ( how heartless ) in order to balance the teams , but the status ‘ happy to go with anyone ’ never failed to bring a smile to my face . Here ’ s to you , ‘ polygamous ’ buddies , on behalf of grateful Dive Officers everywhere I ’ ll send a St Valentine ’ s Day card to you all . �
20