Lee Bell wrote:

> If I could take my post back, I would.  If I can, someone please
> tell me how and I will.  If I can't and Jeff can, I would prefer
> that he do so.

I think perhaps you were caught up in the SOB (Same Ocean Buddy for
any newcomers to the list) diving style which is common for both Bob
and Sue.  Bob often takes his "solo excursions" but never, to my
knowledge, to abandon a "buddy" (in the textbook sense).

As I related earlier, when Bob introduced me to Cozumel diving, he
really *was* the textbook buddy, incredible as it may sound.  He
stayed at my side, made sure I was OK, and even offered his octo once
when I was running a bit short on a safety stop although I had enough
gas to complete it (but didn't surface with the magical 500psi).

As I got more comfortable with the diving environment, he would back
off, doing his thing as I did mine, but usually checked to see that
there was the main dive group within visibility that I could join up
with as he hit the abyss.  This was fine with me.

Only once did I get left "alone" as he and one DM were too deep for my
taste, and the main dive group was nowhere in sight, but I was
comfortable where I was (about 80ft I think, at Tunich if I recall).
So I ascended a bit to offgass my dip, found a conch shell in the sand
and just held on waiting on someone to catch up.  And they did (the main
group, and a few minutes later, Bob and DM).

As for Sue, she is an excellent diver but is not fond of or cares to
participate in Bob's dips.  When we were all there, she seemed much
more comfortable having me "in between" during his dips, and if he
was doing a deep one I could ascend and join Sue.  But as for the two
of them together, it seems much like what I described myself in above.
He does his dip, often solo, and you follow bubbles.  Bob takes full
responsibility for his dips but will soon ascend to join us.  Granted
something might happen to him, but that is his decision, and he's done
quite well do date.  I have jokingly said that I follow (above) since
if anything happens to him I want his Rolex, gold chains, and a few
HyperAqualands and computers.  He just laughs, and I'm still broke.

So in summary, Bob can be a textbook buddy if you let him know ahead of
time; he certainly fulfilled babysitting duties for me as I learned
Cozumel diving.  Otherwise he can be essentially a solo diver, but
only if you agree to the SOB rule.  As for he and Sue together, they
are an excellent team other than Bob's dips, but they have an
understanding about that.  Sue is a textbook buddy other than perhaps
when she has camera-in-hand (but that's true of all photographers).

I think Lee was pointing out a perceived "lack of concern" by Bob.  But
the is a basis for that; he prefers to dive with another self-suficient
diver where this is acceptable.  Especially in Cozumel
with the high visibility.  It might be a different story at another
site.

So I don't think you were quite so wrong in your observations, Lee, but
you didn't have the whole picture.  No, Bob is not a textbook
buddy unless you speak up and let him know you need one.  Sue on the
other hand, is.  She's an excellent diver, within her limits, and I'd
highly recommend diving with her anytime you don't plan a 'dip' into the
abyss.

Do you and Jayna ever separate during a dive?  Same principle.

Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]>