Lesson 44

Lesson Five: The Buddy System (continued)

Course Complete

Here you will learn about the buddy system and the benefits

By the end of this section, I should be able to answer these questions:

1. How do my buddy(ies) and I plan dives together? What nine points should a dive plan normally include?

2. How do my buddy(ies) and I kit up together?

3. How and when do we conduct the predive safety check?

4. What do I do if I get separated from my buddy(ies) during a dive?

5. Whose responsibility is the buddy system?

The Buddy System

You’ve learned that as a diver, you will plan and make dives with your buddy or buddies. Plans don’t have to be complex or lengthy, but they help avoid problems and make the dive enjoyable.

Basic Dive Plan

Plan your dives by discussing what you want to accomplish, the best techniques, hazards to avoid and what to do if problems occur. There may be more, but dive plans usually address these nine points:

Agree on the best entry and exit techniques for the environment.
Decide what course you’ll follow.
Agree on the maximum time and depth.
Review underwater signals and other communications.

Determine when you will turn the dive and head back based on your remaining air, time and/or other factors – whichever comes first.
Agree on how you’ll stay together during the dive (e.g., swim side by side, one leads while the others follow, etc.).
Establish what you will do if you become separated.
Discuss emergency procedures.
Agree on an objective. An objective may be detailed, such as “shoot videos of butterfly fish pairs,” or as simple as, “let’s go for a look.”

Predive Safety Check

You and your buddy(ies) gear up at the same time so you’re ready to get in the water together. You may assist each other with zipping exposure suits, adjustments, holding scuba kits for each other, etc. Sometimes divers get into their kit with little assistance and at other times they benefit from some help. When everyone’s ready and kitted up (except for mask, snorkel and fins in many instances), you go through the predive safety check. The check helps make sure everything’s good to go, and everyone’s familiar with each other’s kit.

The recall phrase for the predive safety check is Begin With Review And Friend, but you can use any other phrase that helps you remember BWRAF.

Begin – B – BCD: Check adjustment, how to operate it, low-pressure inflator connection, and that your cylinder is firmly in the band. If appropriate for the entry technique, make sure it’s partially inflated. Confirm that your visual and audible surface signaling devices, which are usually attached to your BCD or in a BCD pocket, are in place.

With – W – Weight: Check that you have the right amount of weight, that it’s properly distributed for trim, and that the quick release is clear so that you can, in a single motion, release enough weight to be sure you float.

Review – R – Releases: Confirm everyone’s releases are secure, and that all buddies know how to work each other’s releases in case they need to do so in an emergency.

And – A – Air: Test breathe your regulator two or three breaths. Check your air pressure to be sure it shows a full cylinder. All buddies make sure they know how to find and use each other’s alternate air sources so they can share air should they need to do so.

Friend – F – Final Check: Look each other over for anything that seems to be missing, out of place, not adjusted correctly, etc. Perform the predive safety check before every dive. With practice, you’ll find it takes only a few moments, yet it can prevent inconveniences, disappointments and accidents.

Avoiding and Dealing with Buddy Separation

During the dive, you and your buddy(ies) need to stay close together – ideally within a couple metres/few feet. If you find yourself farther apart than that, get back together. A good rule of thumb is to be able to reach each other in two seconds. Usually, it’s easier to stay together if you discuss how to do so during dive planning.

Buddy separation occurs when buddies can’t see each other, but it’s also possible when they can. In very clear water, you may be able to see your buddy, but be too far away to provide assistance quickly. In lower visibility, it is easier to lose sight of each other; for example, when your buddy stops to look at something while you keep swimming. In either situation, staying close and checking each other frequently reduces accidental separation and/or being too far apart. Although you shouldn’t get separated from your buddy, you should know what to do if it happens. During dive planning, discuss what to do if you get separated – how you will reunite (meet some place, etc.).

In very clear water, you may be able to see your buddy, but be too far away to provide assistance quickly.

The general procedure is to look for each other for no more than a minute, then if unable to relocate each other, carefully ascend and reunite on the surface. But this procedure may not be practical in some environments, so in those instances it’s important to plan what you would do if buddy separation occurs.

Note that when three people dive together, if one gets separated all divers follow the procedures for reuniting. Even though two divers are still together, they must take action to rejoin the isolated buddy.

The PADI Skill Practice and Dive Planning Slate provides a handy checklist for basic dive planning steps. Use it during the course to develop your ability to plan dives, and after the course as a planning checklist. The buddy system works well when divers plan their dives together, conduct the predive safety check together, stay together and manage their air together. It’s your responsibility to stay with your buddy and follow the rules, guidelines and recommendations for each other’s dive safety. No one can do it for you.

Quick quiz