When Diver and dive equipment distributor Divex teamed up to offer a Bauer compressor for the Buddy of the Year, we hardly dared to expect quite the enthusiastic response from readers we received. We asked you to nominate a deserving buddy and to provide your reasons for doing so, and judged the entries on that basis.

Because the shortlisted entries seemed to provide such a good insight into what makes a good buddy, we decided to reproduce a number of them here. It was an invidious job choosing between many deserving entries, so apologies for those who were not selected, and better luck next time round.

Many of the nominees, it became apparent, had no idea that they had been put forward, so what follows might come as a surprise to them. Many dive buddies are partners in life, and in many cases one half of a couple put their other half forward, again often without the other's knowledge.

Before we reveal the winner of Buddy of the Year 2000, one of a number of people who seemed happy to put the needs of others first, Tim Ecott takes us through what he understands by the term "good buddy"...

"Dive alone and you will die alone!" I never enter the water without remembering my first scuba instructor's terrifying mantra. Lest you take such warnings lightly, remember that your diving buddy might be the person with whom you spend your last moments on Earth.

And yet this buddy, this "pal, brother and most constant companion" (as defined by Chambers dictionary) is also someone with whom you want to share a purely pleasurable experience.

Choose your buddy with care. That face ringed with rubber, those eyes glazed over with rapture of the deep and those lips unflatteringly stretched round the mouthpiece could be the last face you see.

According to the manuals, good dive buddies remain at a distance "no greater than that from which they can provide assistance". They conduct mutual pre-dive safety checks, ensuring that BC, weightbelt and air supply are all in order.

A review of approved hand signals usually follows and this is a good time to explain any unusual items of gear you might be carrying. It's also a good idea to find out whether your companion has heard the phrase "buddy-breathing" and what your hand signal for it might be.

That's the theoretical side of being a good buddy. It's just the beginning. It's no good diving with someone who has done 3000 dives when you are a novice.

As you fumble slowly with your quick-release buckles and spit into your mask - just one last time - your buddy could be drifting into hypothemia in the water, having completed his own preparations seconds after the skipper switched off the engine.

He or she is likely to be frustrated by your inability to conserve air for more than 19 minutes at 20m. You remain perplexed by your buddy's failure to get excited over the sighting and identification of a live goose barnacle.

Worse still, once under water, your experienced buddy might forget that shedding your BC and pulling your gear behind you through a narrow, rusty hatch at 30m was not something you practised in the shallow tropical bay where you learnt to dive.

To avoid the stress and strain of being "assigned" a buddy while diving in a group of strangers, I recommend that you take one along someone you've prepared earlier.

It's a serious business being a buddy, yet when we turn up at a dive centre we are often assigned diving-partners we have never met, and trust that if it comes to the crunch they will remember enough of their training to help us out.

Like most divers, there have been times when I have thought that such buddies represent a greater risk to my own life and limb than anything the sea has to offer.

Sadly, I've forgotten most of the good buddies I've had over the years. But I'll never forget the one who took out his very large knife and prised open a giant clam to see what was inside.

Or the one who swam with legs bent at right angles as if crawling through the water. His hands were outstretched in front of his upright torso with fingers like claws and jaw clenched in a rictus as he sucked air like a Dyson.

As a divemaster, I sometimes had to "assign" myself the buddy I thought would most benefit from my skills, and thereby save some other paying customer from a fate worse than death.

I have a soft spot in my memory, and a rick in my back, for the very overweight man who thought my responsibilities included lifting him from the water after the dive.

If you are matrimonially unchallenged, the best dive buddy is probably your best friend - so long as he or she expects the same things from a diving experience as you do.

Ideally, I recommend diving with your current lover. This does not apply if you are a free diver - you are also a free spirit, unencumbered with earthly relationships and probably have a questionable friendship with a bottlenose dolphin.

Technical divers also need not apply these rules - you have unhealthy relationships with your D-rings and a very long hose.

There is great intimacy in diving with another human being. Like many novices, I once fell in love with my diving instructor. My logbook still bears gooey post-dive inscriptions which I'm afraid I have to keep secret. Cheap, if not free, diving for life seemed likely to form a significant part of our relationship, but I really should have known that there is no such thing as a free plunge.

I spent several thousand pounds flying to and from the island where my mermaid paramour was based. Strangely, it wasn't a recipe for a successful relationship. It slowly emerged that, diving apart, we had little in common.
We were happiest under water, not speaking. And then she applied the dump valve. I was out of favour, out of pocket and out of the water.

I still believe that diving with someone you trust is a good idea. My wife is now my favourite dive buddy. Diving with a loved one brings a shared joy and dependency which reinforces the closeness you feel above water.

Submerged, the communication is not verbal, and a light squeeze of a hand or the brush of a shoulder is an intensified connection in a different world.

BUDDY OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST

DEREK AINSWORTH How do I avoid offending the other 63 diving members of Cirencester Dolphin BSAC? There were several possible contenders but each question I posed was answered with one name. Who is not phased by his buddy's idiosyncrasies? Who isn't heard to complain when "allocated" a buddy who wouldn't be his first choice? Who can always find something of interest on a dive, no matter how bleak, cold or dark? Who can I always approach with bizarre diving queries? Who is always encouraging, supportive and enthusiastic? Who will uncomplainingly get up at dawn for an uninviting training dive? Who cares not only about his buddy, but about all the divers? Who do I or, more importantly, my Mum, trust with my life? Who inspires me to improve my skills? Advanced Instructor, Branch Training Officer, Assistant Regional Coach, with a wife I can describe only as "the worst enemy of all women" - how can she be so understanding of the club nights, evenings of preparation, weekends of training and the annual club holiday? If he reads this, he'll have a vague sense of uneasiness, swiftly followed by disbelief. Sorry, Derek Ainsworth, but you are that buddy. Tessa Fisher

TREVOR REES I have dived with Trevor Rees of Worcester BSAC on several occasions, but as he usually dives with his wife, we're not regular buddies. Trevor is a very experienced diver and his underwater technique is hard to emulate and extremely economical. He never forgets anything and comes aboard with his own laminated charts and hand-drawn transits. An expert boatman, he is highly skilled at dropping shots in the right place. Of slight build, he slips effortlessly into his uncomplicated kit, using the minimum amount of space in the boat, and is always ready before his buddy. I'm always happy for Trevor to lead, because appreciation of the underwater world is his objective too, and he knows more than me. On a wreck (he's not an avid wrecker) I know he won't waste time removing non-ferrous, but will want to get an overview and visit the interesting bits. He is a keen underwater photographer but doesn't usually photograph when buddy-diving. He has an excellent knowledge of marine life and often finds a well-hidden creature that's trying to stay invisible. Brave (he held the large lobster between his knees and closed its claws while I merely dealt with waving legs and string bag), he doesn't molest wildlife unless it's on the menu. He uses hardly any air - a surface equivalent of 12l/min - so our dive durations are usually limited by my supply. Faultless underwater navigation means that there's no last-minute scramble to deploy an unplanned DSMB. Perhaps Trev isn't the perfect buddy - but he comes close! John Kingsley

MAGGIE CORNELIUS Maggie Cornelius and I have been diving together for three years. She is everyone's ideal buddy; an expert marine biologist, boat-handler and unflappable, competent diver. We're confirmed bottom-dwellers, crawling along turning over rocks, and have very long, fun dives together but I swear she doesn't breathe under water with her 10 litre tank, saving her breath to talk non-stop topside! Maggie is calm and competent with novices, too. Expert with both compass and distance lines, she always gets back to the shot avoiding all that nasty surface swimming. We have a marvellous time on wrecks, drifts and scenics, complementing each other perfectly and finning at the same speed. We've learnt many new skills together, including oxygen administration, first aid and dive-marshalling. We've also been in many tricky situations together - rescued by lifeboat from sinking RIBs and resuscitating hypothermic divers. Maggie can be relied on to furnish biscuits, hot drinks and cheering chat. She even does shoulder massages for weary divers! With her encyclopaedic knowledge of underwater marine life and abovewater bird life, she's ever-cheerful and fun to be with. I'd vote her in as best buddy, and so would the rest of my club. Maggie Cainen

IAN "CHIPPY" DUNCAN A dive buddy is someone who shares your dives and makes them safer and more enjoyable. I have dived with many buddies here in Zimbabwe, some good, some awful, but my perfect buddy is "Chippy" Duncan. I trained with the BSAC and Chippy with SSI but we both share a passion for diving and a love of the sea. Technically he is very competent, with nothing macho to prove. I know that he will never exceed his limits or try to force me to exceed mine. Being short-sighted, I'm not the most observant of divers and would miss a lot if Chippy didn't point things out to me. He has a great sense of humour and his deep chuckle under water is enough to make me giggle (even if I'm not sure what he's laughing at!) A very fast swimmer, he likes to see as much as possible on a dive but if there's something interesting I want to study, he will wait patiently for me. On a recent dive in Aliwal Shoal, South Africa, we lay on a patch of sand for 20 minutes until the raggedtooth sharks were swimming in between us as if we weren't there - a magical experience! After a dive Chippy will always help to carry cylinders and loves to share a tale and a joke with me and the rest of our club in the pub. Annette Millar

DAVID BOWEN-CASSIE My buddy has been with me for nearly all my 140 dives. He was divemaster on my Open Water course and set an example with his calm reassurance and amazing skills. He encouraged me all the way. He was there for my first sea dive and comforted me when my ears were so blocked I thought I'd gone deaf. On dive 9, he introduced me to those elusive nudibranchs that everyone else missed. On dive 12, the whale shark popped up to me for a 10-minute swim. My buddy wasn't on that dive, and I felt for him. After 250 dives it remained his burning ambition to see one. He signed off my first night dive on dive 17 and was with me when I saw my first octopus. By dive 25, his was the most frequent signature in my logbook. On dive 31 we buddy-breathed to the surface: he had used his air to find the idiot diver who swam off and got lost. We found sharks at Aliwal Shoal on dive 37 and on dive 51 were tailgated by a Zambezi in Mozambique! We got married after dive 55. Since then, we have minded new divers, explored colder underwater climes, wrecked, caved and lived aboard and shared our coldest UK dive (126), and our hottest coffee. He makes it a total adventure every time. Long may it continue! Oh, and on dive 72 he got his whale shark, then complained that it was smaller than expected! Perhaps he's not quite perfect. Deirdre Bowen-Cassie

BESIM SEN I have dived with my favourite buddy many times. Sometimes we dive as a pair, sometimes he is the dive guide and I dive in his group with another buddy, or we both act as guides with our own groups and meet up under water. On these occasions we sometimes pretend to box or have a dance, and the surprised look on our fellow-divers' faces is something to see. Sometimes when he's helping me to kit up I will say I've forgotten my fins so that someone offers to get them for me. After a few minutes we point out to the hapless searcher that my legs don't work so I don't actually use fins! Under water, I use my arms for mobility and on one memorable dive with my favourite buddy I turned to see him using his arms like me. He had got the whole group to follow suit - behind us were a further six divers, all swimming with their arms! My mask was flooded for the rest of the dive, because I couldn't stop laughing. I always look forward to my expeditions to his country to dive every summer. My favourite buddy is called Besim Sen, and I fly out to dive with him again tomorrow. J David Garnett

MARIA ADAMS It all started in May 1997 when I went to Challaborough in Devon to complete my Open Water dives. To greet us in the caravan camp were our instructors, John, Karen - and Maria. As soon as my eyes met hers I fell in love. I didn't know it but apparently when she first saw me she thought I was a bit of a twit! It took military planning to make sure I was in the same boat as Maria. My fellow-students thought I was mad, getting up early to help load the RIBs, but my equipment was always in the right boat, next to my guardian angel's. I must have impressed my lovely instructor with my underwater skills, as by the end of the week she agreed to a date when she got back home. Now we're planning our first home together. I was always aware of my buddy being more qualified than me, but Maria has helped and always kept a special eye on me, even saving my bacon on a couple of occasions. We have since dived in Stoney Cove (a lot), the South Coast, Scotland, the Red Sea and Thailand. We're like a fine-tuned engine under water - everything is always just right and when it isn't, we put it right. Whenever I go diving without my favourite buddy the sea seems a little rougher, the fish hide and there are no underwater kisses! So sometimes your best buddy can become your best lover too. Dave Elkin

MICK HYDE Several years ago, I wandered into a local SAA dive club, was told about its training regime by the Baths Training Officer, and made to feel welcome. I stuck at the pool training, laughed off comments about women not staying long after their training because they find "better" things to do, and made it to my first club dive. At Dunbar my buddy, the BTO, gave me a full briefing and wrote on his slate a list of things we might see. We staggered (well, I did) to the end of the pier, and onto a little shingle beach. Backside in the air, head down, I crawled into the surf. What an impression I made on the DO and the BTO! That weekend set the scene for many club trips; lost keys, broken cars and missing equipment. The only difference was that on dives the BTO became my other half. He no longer had to test me, but did teach me how to spot lobsters, crabs, congers, Galathea strigosa, etc, helped me choose suitable gear, and encouraged me as I learned to instruct, rescue, radio and boat-handle. We've both learned as we've dived, we're both keen nudibranch-spotters, Open Water Instructors and Chairman and BTO of the club respectively, and holiday UK and worldwide. My buddy thinks about buying me flowers but is more likely to give me a clean, unbroken urchin shell at 25m. On our last holiday, in Ireland, he put the now familiar slate to good use. He held it up, and watched me choke as I read: "Will you marry me?" Helen Dukes

RICHARD MONCAD My mum and dad are avid divers, trained by Richard Moncad at his dive centre Fastrack Divers in Paignton. They are very protective of me, as I am their only child, so it's a mark of their trust and confidence in Richard's teaching and methodology that they have allowed me to experience the sub-aquatic world. Richard is extremely patient, and makes children feel very comfortable around experienced adult divers. I can ask questions and make suggestions on level terms with them. He has introduced my classmates to the beauties of the undersea world, instils safety and conservation awareness and promotes the sport extremely positively. Richard has a knack of slowing down the processes, discussing concerns, offering reassurance and never pressuring individuals to dive beyond their limits. He is prepared to spend extra time in pool conditions to ensure competence, and would never pass someone who is not competent but would offer support and guidance. My positive introduction to diving will stay with me into adulthood and beyond. I will continue my diver training and one day be in a position to teach others to dive in the style of my mentor and perfect dive buddy. Roxanne Dodds

HELEN CURTIS My wife Helen is a Divemaster and we dive as a buddy pair whenever we can. She spots things easily, has excellent air consumption, and is very thorough with our pre-dive equipment checks. She's always encouraging everyone to learn more about marine life and to protect the marine environment. At the end of one dive, we climbed back into the boat and noticed a young girl sitting on her own, crying. I didn't pay much attention, as I'd heard divers surfacing 50m from the boat, shouting that there was a whale shark beneath them! As I had only 45 bar left in my tank, Helen insisted that I take hers (with 110 bar) so I could go back in. I needed no persuasion, kitted up and joined the others. Luckily the whale shark was still there, and we spent several minutes with it. Back on the boat, I found that Helen had taken Sasha back into the water, just for a snorkel. Sasha's father, her buddy, had joined other divers after leaving his daughter in the boat. He had told us that she was a little weak in the water and would probably not carry on diving. Sasha had had a wonderful time, with Helen pointing out all sorts of things to her. Most important, she was ready to carry on - though not with Dad! He became my buddy for the rest of the week and Helen spent the week diving with Sasha, nothing too deep or difficult, but enough to restore the young girl's confidence. We hope she is doing lots of diving now! Steve Curtis

THE RUNNER-UP PRIZES GO TO...

MAXINE DAVISON I started diving two years ago when I was l4. People thought I would give up because I was so young, but Maxine Davison had faith in me. When I had trouble with the theory because I am dyslexic, she gave up her free time to help me with the books. Maxine turns up at the club week after week to help me and other new divers with our training. When it was time for me to venture out of the pool into open water, she took me to Gildenburgh and Stoney Cove nearly every weekend. I passed my Club Diver practicals very easily because of her thorough training and even got the theory without too much difficulty, thanks to Maxine. I am now passed a Sports Diver and Maxine still dives with me most weekends, as well as training other divers. Other people who dive with me say they can see I was taught by Maxine because I have a safe but confident attitude to my diving. I have started Dive Leader training and still Maxine is not tired of being there for me. In March she sat beside me as we went out on the boat on a club diving weekend to Swanage, and my first sea wreck dives. I was scared but Maxine helped me and even held my hand when I was seasick - that's what I call being a good buddy! Maxine is patient, kind, and gives up her time with no reservations. Everyone at the club thinks very highly of her and when new members join they usually get told to "ask for Maxine, she's the best". Adam Inglis

PETE GORMAN Pete Gorman lost both legs three years ago in a horrific accident, but this has not stopped him from doing the PADI Open Water Diver course. And the PADI Advanced Open Water course; he has just completed PADI Rescue Diver, DAN Oxygen Provider and PADI First Aid. Pete has also talked me into following him through these courses. I'm pleased that he did, because without his "get up and do it" attitude I would be missing out on an incredible adventure under the waves. Pete has on many occasions rescued me with little deeds such as recovering my fins from the depths, readjusting my gear before it became a problem, and noticing all those things that make life easier and probably also make diving safer and more fun. Pete has inspired me to go on to Rescue Diver status. He is now going for his PADI Divemaster and says he won't stop taking these different courses until he gets to the point where he can do no more. Pete believes it will make him a better dive buddy and increase the fun for himself and anyone who might dive with him. I must agree with that bit of his philosophy. I should also mention that Pete's final goal is to become a PADI Diving Instructor and to open a dive centre for the disabled. Ron Eydmann

...AND THE BUDDY OF THE YEAR IS

Ron Eydmann, who was nominated in turn by his buddy Pete Gorman - the only pair to nominate each other! Based in Northants, they worked as firemen together until being involved in the accident in which Pete lost his legs. Pete took up diving through the Aquatetra organisation in Wales. He later persuaded Ron, who is still with the fire service, to learn as well. They now dive together at least once a week, often at Stoney Cove, and recently shared a diving holiday in Sharm el Sheikh. They hope to get permission to dive in a lake on local farmland soon - in which case a compressor will come in useful! RON EYDMANN Ron has been my buddy for just a year and proved a really reliable friend. I have no legs, and rely on Ron to help me with my equipment and get me to the water's edge as safely as possible. This he does without a grunt or groan, whatever the weather or terrain to be overcome. I couldn't dive without Ron being willing to do this, and he does it with a smile, as though nothing were too much trouble for him. Recently we were diving at Stoney Cove and I had a new drysuit on - when I did a check I found I was underweighted. Without a word Ron helped me to the slipway, took all his own gear off and went to the top of the car park to fetch me some more weight, then came back and made sure I was put right before putting all his gear on again. Ron is a very quiet man, and is patient and observant. We've got it together perfectly now - he stays at my left-hand shoulder, slightly above and behind me, so I always know where he is. Ron deserves recognition for his thoughtful actions as a buddy. I have thanked him on many occasions and would like to see him honoured as Buddy of the Year. Pete Gorman

THE PRIZES

Buddy of the Year Ron Eydmann wins the Junior II, which Bauer calls its Millennium Model, the maker's latest compact, portable compressor. It will charge his cylinders at 100 litres a minute at a working pressure of 225 bar. It uses the proven, long-life Triplex P21 filter system with easily replaceable cartridges, and has an unbreakable fan and pulley cowling to optimise cooling and protect the operator from moving parts. His buddy Pete Gorman and Maxine Davison win Bauer Maxximum Sports Watches, rated to 30atm and with stainless steel cases. These watches are normally priced at £90. Congratulations to the winners, and our thanks to everyone who entered.