Who’s Yer Dive Buddy?

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I know it’s safer to dive with a buddy, but it’s not always convenient to track down a fellow diver when I get the urge and time to dive. Sometimes I have 3 hours available last minute, and my dive buddy is already busy with another project. Scheduling 3 weeks out doesn’t fulfill the dive itch right away. So my options have been to go it alone while my family does “shore duty” timing the dive and keeping an eye, or actually teach my family to dive. I opted for the second one.

I started diving at home in my backyard in a swimming pool. At age 10, I strapped on his tanks and old double hose regulator and spent many hours touring the bottom of our pool. I couldn’t wait to be a “real diver” someday. I introduced my kids to the sport of diving as soon as I felt they were ready, and at the youngest age possible knowing how aware of safety kids are.

My daughter, Amanda, has been my dive buddy for the last 3 years. I am incredibly lucky to have her available when we go on trips to our backyard like Neah Bay or Keystone Jetty here in Washington state or a bit further around the globe like Cozumel, MX for Kid’s Sea Camp. Seeing her understanding of the technicality of diving, and watching her grow as a diver, never ceases to amaze me. I have a new respect for my daughter’s capability and nothing can replace the time we have spent together in planning for a dive, diving, and debriefing the dive. We are lucky enough to be 3 year Kid’s Sea Camp veterans and while this year we aren’t able to go, I’m looking forward to sharing the experience of diving with Amanda, and my 10-year old, Reagan in the next few years.

Check out the video to see more about our most recent dive adventure together.

So I ask you, who’s your dive buddy? Tell us on facebook!

Rick Stratton
facebook.com/nedivenews     facebook.com/mwdivenews
twitter.com/nedivenews        twitter.com/mwdivenews
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Rick’s been in the publishing business for 16 years, and has logged more dives than he can count.