It's been some while since I mentioned Shelly Beach - referred to by Huw
Porter as, "the Wembley of diving!" - but today's dive was a little unusual.

Ralf has to fly to Brussels for a conference this afternoon; Julian's
nursing a cold that Helen passed on to him and that he wants to get rid of
before we all head up to Cairns next week; which  left Dave, Simon,
Leighton, ( a guy who normally buddies with a mate and who we usually only
see post dive when the Tim-Tams and coffee appear!) and myself.

Dave and I buddied together.  Visibility was down to a maximum of 5 metres.
We entered from the beach and swam along the reef and around the point
towards 'Dragon Patches' where we usually spot seadragons.  Dave and I
managed to spot one - a male carrying eggs.  I looked up and noticed Simon
looking at the seadragon.  Looking around I could see no sign of Leighton.
I signalled Simon and 'asked' him with sign language where his buddy was?
He looked around and shrugged.  Because of the low visibility the three of
us stayed together as we carried out a quick visual search for Leighton.
Failing to find him we three ascended.  Although the sea was calm there was
a low swell running and we were a long, long way from shore.

Pumping air into our BCD's we began the swim on our backs while scanning
around looking for signs of Leighton.  We swam for half-an-hour before a
passing boat threw us a line, towed us into shore and then went back to
search the area.

On the beach, I used a Divemaster's mobile 'phone to call the emergency
services and put in play a search for the missing diver.  While I was still
giving information Leighton came strolling out of the water having decided
to swim back to shore underwater once he realised that he'd lost his buddy!

Today Leighton learned:  Some new words!  The meaning of the buddy system
and the purpose of the lost buddy drill as explained in the pre-dive
briefing!  That stuff-ups do not make for happy diving companions!  And that
the withholding of Tim-Tam privileges is a harsh punishment!  :-)

And this time next week?  The Barrier Reef!  :-)

Strike