How to Dive With a New
or Nervous Buddy Without Frustration

I love diving with new divers. Even better if I get to see them progress over multiple dives. There’s something rewarding about being the calm, confident buddy who helps someone feel at ease in the water—and maybe even fall in love with diving all over again.

That said, it’s not always easy. New divers are juggling buoyancy, gear unfamiliarity, anxiety, and environmental stress—sometimes all at once. As a more experienced diver, you might get paired with someone who’s slow to descend, burns through their air, or can’t hold trim to save their life. It happens. But it doesn’t have to ruin your dive or your attitude.

This guide is for divers who want to be calm, capable buddies—not just for their own safety, but to make diving more inclusive and encouraging for others. Let’s talk about how to be that person, even when it’s a challenge.

Adjust Your Mindset

Expect less. Offer more.
If you’re diving with a new or nervous buddy, shift your goal for the dive. This won’t be your deepest, longest, or most technically perfect dive. But it can be your most meaningful. You’re helping someone build experience and confidence.

Reframe your role: You’re not just a dive buddy. You’re a steady presence. Someone who communicates clearly, checks in often, and reacts calmly to hiccups.

This kind of patience is a core part of psychological safety in diving. New divers don’t need critique mid-dive—they need reassurance. They learn faster when they feel safe to make mistakes without judgment. And that only happens when experienced divers model the attitude we share in our Code of Conduct—especially the reminder to:

“Don’t preach. Just dive.”
Be helpful if asked. Be present. But let people have their own dive.

Talk Before the Dive

Cover expectations, limits, and signals.
Sit down with your buddy for a short pre-dive chat. Cover these basics:

• Hand signals (especially “okay,” “low on air,” and “turn the dive”)
• Preferred distances during the dive
• Who leads and who follows
• What to do if separated
• How they’re feeling about the dive

If they’re nervous, listen without correcting them right away. You’re not their instructor. You’re their partner underwater. Confidence grows faster when people feel heard.

Simplify the Plan

Keep it shallow, easy, and short.
Choose a site with:

• Minimal current
• Good visibility
• Easy entry and exit
• Plenty to see within 30 feet

Avoid pushing depth limits, tricky navigation, or high task loading. A successful 25-minute shallow dive beats a stressful 60-minute one any day.

Lead Without Overpowering

Let them explore—but be close enough to help.
Position yourself so you’re visible and accessible. Hover slightly above and behind if they’re leading, or just ahead if you’re guiding. Stay relaxed. Be slow and deliberate in your movements. Signal often.

If they struggle with trim or buoyancy, don’t fix it underwater unless it’s a safety issue. Let them work through it. That’s how learning happens.

Check In—But Don’t Hover

Too much attention can add pressure.
Glance over often and make eye contact. Use the “OK” signal periodically, but don’t overdo it. Give them space to enjoy the dive and build confidence.

If they seem stressed, call the dive early and talk it through on the surface. That shows maturity, not failure.

Debrief With Encouragement

Your words shape how they remember the dive.
Even if the dive had hiccups, end on a positive note. Highlight what went well:

• “You handled that current really well.”
• “You noticed that eel before I did!”
• “Your trim was better than the last dive.”

Ask what they thought of the dive and if they’d like help with anything before the next one. Confidence grows dive by dive—especially when someone believes in them.

Final Thoughts

Not every dive is about perfect gas planning or precise frog kicks. Sometimes it’s about being the person who helps someone else fall in love with diving. You never know what that buddy will grow into—with just a few good dives under their belt and a calm partner by their side.

If you dive often, you will get paired with newer or anxious divers. Choose patience. Choose presence. And when in doubt—don’t preach. Just dive.

Want to go deeper? Check out our full page on Psychological Safety in Diving for more insights on how divers support each other in stressful or unfamiliar environments.