Step 8: Seeking Professional Guidance or Mentorship

Me and my "All-Time Favorite Students" (Mom and Dad) doing a safety stop after their Open Water certification class in 2010.

WOW!!! We’ve Come a Long Way!

Click here if you need to catch up first

We’re moving into the final stretch of this series, and by now, if you have been following along and completing your challenges, you should have built a solid foundation. You’ve dialed in your buoyancy, improved your situational awareness, and gained better control over your body in the water. Now it’s time to focus on the who—the people you choose to dive with and the mentors you can learn from.

Let’s be real—diving isn’t exactly the easiest hobby to get into. There are plenty of other activities that don’t require planning, hauling gear, squeezing into a rubber suit, and getting tossed around by waves. But those other hobbies? They don’t come close to the thrill and sense of accomplishment that comes with nailing a perfect dive, or seeing yoru first Whale Shark. Plus, let’s face it—we look way cooler doing our hobby. Where else do you get to strut around in a wetsuit, a tank on your back, and fins in your hand, feeling like a total badass?

But here’s the thing, diving is not a solo sport. Finding the right dive buddy or mentor can make or break your experience. You want to dive with people who match your style, share similar goals, and (most importantly) are fun to be around. The right dive tribe makes diving safer, more rewarding, and a whole lot more fun.

A Story of Finding the Right Tribe

I had a diver join one of my group trips—it was her first time traveling with me. She was a solid diver but had struggled for years to find a dive buddy who was the right fit. When she got paired with less experienced divers, she often found herself feeling more like a babysitter than a dive buddy. The stress of constantly managing anxious partners underwater had her questioning if diving was even worth it anymore. On the other hand, when she ended up with more advanced divers, they were often too focused on their own dives to slow down and work with her. She was stuck between two extremes, and it almost drove her to give up the sport entirely.

But everything changed on that trip. She met another diver who was at a similar skill level and, even better, shared her passion for underwater photography. Under my watchful eye, they both started to come into their own as divers. Suddenly, the pre-dive jitters disappeared. They felt comfortable asking questions about gear, dive plans, and technique—knowing they had each other and me as a resource for feedback and advice (sometimes the feedback they didn’t even request).

They started diving together regularly after that trip, finding ways to meet up for local dives and even planning more dive trips together. They pushed each other to improve, learning to manage current, fine-tune their buoyancy and trim, and handle drift dives with confidence. They’re still in touch today, years later, and still planning dives together. I know for a fact that if they hadn’t met on that trip, they might have both drifted away from diving entirely.

That’s the power of finding the right dive buddy. It’s not just about safety—it’s about finding someone who makes diving more fun, more rewarding, and ultimately more sustainable.

Seeking Professional Help

If you’re struggling to find the right dive buddies, this is the perfect time to seek professional help. NO, NOT A PSYCHIATRIST (though, let’s be real—putting on rubber suits and dropping serious cash just to breathe underwater? Maybe we do need that kind of help too). ANYWAY... I’m talking about finding an instructor, a scuba group coordinator, a travel advisor (wink wink), or your group leader and just being honest with them.

Not all leaders and Dive Professionals are created equally though, and unfortunatly they don't all know to ask the right questions to help maximize your enjoyment of this sport. So I encourage you to be and advocate for your own well being and enjoyment.

Tell them how you feel. Let them know what’s been tough for you—whether it's getting paired with divers who are too green or those who are too advanced to care. Share your goals.

What do you want to get out of this sport?

Do you want to improve your buoyancy? Build more confidence?

Spend more time doing underwater photography?

If your instructor or group leader is any good, they’ll take that info and put you in the best possible position to succeed.

Here’s the thing: I’ve seen so many divers meet an instructor or a new dive group and immediately go into “impress mode.” They list off all the amazing dives they’ve done, how much experience they have, and how everyone else was the problem. So what happens? The instructor hears that and thinks, Wow, you’re super experienced! You should dive with these advanced folks!—and it’s a total mismatch.

On the flip side, you might downplay your skills, saying you’re still new and a bit nervous. Then you get paired with the newbies, and you’re left frustrated when the dive doesn’t match your expectations. Neither of those scenarios works out well.

So here’s the move, pull your instructor/leader/mentor aside and schedule a few minutes to actually talk. Lay it out honestly—what’s working, what’s not, and what you’re hoping to get out of diving. If I don’t have a buddy that’s a good fit for you? Guess what—you’re diving with me! That’s how I’ve done things for almost 20 years, and I’ve made countless friends along the way by just helping people find the right fit. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—it could change everything about how you experience diving.

How to Talk to Your Mentor

Once you’ve found a mentor or dive buddy you click with, the next step is actually talking to them. A good mentor isn’t someone who just tells you about all the epic dives they’ve been on. They should be willing to help you grow and take on a “big brother” or “big sister” mentality—not a drill sergeant barking orders.

You should feel comfortable asking them questions and having open, honest conversations about the hows and whys of diving. Don't be afraid to pick their brain!

Some great conversation starters include:

👉 "Why do you use that particular type of gear?" – Understanding why your mentor chooses specific gear can help you make better decisions about your own setup.

👉 "How do you prefer to hang your accessories off your kit, and why?" – Proper gear placement can affect everything from trim to gas consumption.

👉 "Where’s your favorite place to dive? Do you think I’m ready for it?" – This helps you set realistic goals and see if you’re ready to level up.

👉 "Would you mind if I tag along on one of your dives?" – The best way to learn from a mentor is to actually dive with them. Pay attention to how they handle themselves

underwater and see what you can adopt.

A good mentor should be patient, encouraging, and willing to share their knowledge without being condescending. If they make you feel like you’re being judged or belittled, they’re not the right mentor for you. The goal is to feel supported—not intimidated.

Why Having the Right Dive Buddy (or Mentor) Matters

Scuba diving is a sport that thrives on teamwork, trust, and shared experience. When you have a buddy or mentor who dives the way you want to dive, it elevates your entire experience.

👉 Goals matter: If your goal is to become a better wreck diver, you’ll want to dive with someone who’s been there, done that, and can offer tips on penetration techniques, safety, and navigation.

👉 Skill level matters: If you constantly rely on your buddy to set up your gear, navigate the dive site, or monitor your air, you’re not growing. A mentor will help you become more independent, not just do the work for you.

👉 Personality matters: Let’s face it—you’ll be spending surface intervals, boat rides, and post-dive dinners with your dive buddy. If you can’t stand them on land, it’s probably not going to work underwater either!

Where to Find Your People

So how do you find that perfect dive buddy or mentor?

Here are some great places to start:

🌍 Local Dive Clubs

Most cities or coastal areas have local dive clubs that meet regularly. These are great places to network with other divers, find new buddies, and even hear about upcoming dive trips. Plus, the social aspect of a club can help you stay motivated to keep diving.

🚢 Group Dive Trips

Signing up for a group dive trip is a goldmine for meeting like-minded divers. Spending a week on a liveaboard or at a resort with a group creates a natural bonding experience. You’ll quickly figure out who shares your dive style and might even walk away with a lifelong dive buddy.

🧑‍🏫 Training and Specialty Classes

Taking additional training—whether it’s a specialty course or just a refresher—can connect you with instructors and other divers who share your mindset. A great instructor will help you fine-tune your skills and build confidence, while also introducing you to other divers who also have similar interests and goals.

🤝 Social Media and Online Groups

There are countless Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and online communities dedicated to diving. Connecting with divers virtually is a great way to find people in your area or to get advice on dive destinations and techniques.

Weekly Challenges

Ready to put this into action? Try these challenges to start building your dive network and growing as a diver:

1) Phone a (Dive) Friend

Reach out to someone you respect as a diver and ask them some questions. How did they improve their buoyancy? Why do they dive that gear setup? What’s their favorite dive site and why? Getting comfortable talking to a potential mentor helps you build that connection before you even hit the water.

2) Make a Dive Date

Set a date to go diving—even if it’s months away! This could be a local shore dive, a weekend trip, or even a dream vacation next year. Put it on your calendar, start planning, and make it real. It’s easier to stay motivated when you’ve got something to look forward to.

3) Bonus Challenge: Pay It Forward

Are you an experienced diver? Do you know any new divers who might need a little guidance? Flip the script—reach out to them and offer some help. Answer their questions, invite them to join a dive, or just check-in. Being a mentor is incredibly rewarding (trust me)—you might just help someone fall in love with diving all over again. 🦈🤿

Final Thoughts

Diving is a team sport. Having the right buddy or mentor can completely change how you experience the underwater world. Finding someone whose dive style and goals match yours creates a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable experience. Plus, the friendships you make in the dive community are some of the strongest you’ll ever build.

And remember—mentorship is a two-way street. A good mentor will answer your questions, help you improve, and push you to become more independent. However, you must be willing to ask questions and stay open to feedback.

If this post resonated with you, share it with a fellow diver—you never know who might need that extra push to find their perfect dive partner.

Next week, we’re diving into the importance of "Preparing Thorough Dive Plans." Getting your mind right before a dive is just as important as the dive itself.

Step 9: Preparing Thorough Dive Plans

Keep at it!—you won’t want to miss this one!