MAXIMUM OVERLOAD

Diving to the limit means different things for different divers

- ERIC DOUGLAS

Doug and Greg were new dive buddies. They had met through an online group and discovered they both loved liveaboard diving but hated to go alone, never knowing with whom they would be buddied and whether that diver would be a good match.

The two men quickly realized they both liked to dive as often as they could, preferring to make every available dive and staying down as long as their dive computers would allow. They quickly agreed to schedule a trip together.

THE DIVERS

Greg was 55 years old. He’d had some medical complications a few years earlier, but through diet and exercise he earned a clean bill of health from his doctor, who released him to dive with no restrictions.

Doug was 47 and in good health, but his doctor had told him he was overweight. He had a sedentary job driving a truck and wasn’t as active as he wanted to be. The job also led to a lot of unhealthy food choices.

THE DIVE

The two divers hit it off immediately upon boarding. The boat crew was helpful and got them squared away quickly so they could hang out and get to know each other. Both men were eager to hit the water, and confirmed that they did indeed want to make every dive.

The liveaboard offered two dives in the morning after breakfast and then moved the boat during lunch, allowing for two more dives in the afternoon. Sometimes they would move the boat again during dinner. Other times they would stay put, and the divers often had the opportunity to make a night dive.