Text by Andrew Burmon
In 1911, the 150-passenger steamer Yongala sank for unknown reasons near the Great Barrier Reef. In 2003, an American honeymooner named Tina Watson inexplicably blacked out and drowned while diving the wreck. Now one of the shipwreck's mysteries may be solved.
On June 20, Queensland Police issued a warrant for the arrest of David "Gabe" Watson, a diver from Helene, Alabama, Watson stands accused of murdering his wife Tina while the pair dove the Yongala. (Read more about the investigation >>)
As Watson faces the possibility of free trip back to Australia courtesy of the 1974 U.S. Australian Extradition Treaty, the grim honeymoon story has served as a reminder to dive enthusiasts everywhere that dive buddies should be chosen carefully. To help you find a perfect—or at least non-homicidal—SCUBA partner, we've compiled a guide to the five best dive-buddy matchmaking websites.
1) Facebook.com
Of course Facebook has a dive buddy application! With the most thorough diver profiles, the easiest interface, and probably the largest number of users, the Facebook Dive Buddy Application is the online place for divers to see and be stalked by people they don't know.
2) DiveBuddy.com
A social networking site for the amphibiously inclined. Allows users to check out each other's experience levels, specialties, and, of course, relationship status.
3) ScubaMatch.com
While slightly less streamlined than DiveBuddy and a little bit (water)buggy, ScubaMatch does an excellent job of documenting its users' credentials and experience.
4) FindaDiveBuddy.net
A small but well-organized networking site that reads sort of like the neoprene personal pages.
5) ScubaYellowPages.com
Not so much a networking site as a list of divers from various areas, the ScubaYellowPages include the contact information for around 100 divers in England, the United States, and beyond.
I will certainly miss it's arrival in my mailbox. I also agree, NG is not a fitting substitute- there just isn't one.
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Posted by: adventure tours | July 17, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Greetings from Sweet Itch
I've always found the best way to find a scuba buddy is to join a club!
Cheers
Sweet Itch
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The video is not available anymore
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Posted by: hollister outlet | October 05, 2010 at 02:22 AM
I'm totally disgusted by this post.
National geographic using this poor woman's death as a way to promote various dive buddy sites? Getting on the internet may be a first step but it has nothing to do with finding a trustworthy dive buddy.
Especially the use of "non-homicidal" I find especially disturbing. This clearly was not written by a scuba diver or anyone who has any respect for the sport. It also shows a blatant disrespect for the woman's family and friends.
What about some real advice like:
a) Talk with you new buddy about your dive goals to see if you're on the same page
b) Do a few easy dives to get to know your buddy
c) Take diving classes with your buddy
d) Use pre-dive checklists to ensure you and your budddy are ready to get in the water...
e) And so on.
-Eric
Posted by: HISeamonkey | August 21, 2010 at 04:04 PM
The video is no longer available!
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Posted by: Account Deleted | April 05, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Tried to watch the video but it's "no longer available."
Posted by: Vince | June 28, 2008 at 09:40 PM