Buddy diving

Buddy diving is a common practice in scuba diving, where two divers operate as a pair and are responsible for each other's safety. This practice is a fundamental safety measure in recreational diving and is also used in professional diving.

Overview

Buddy diving is a safety practice designed to ensure that a diver can receive help from a buddy in case of an emergency. The buddy system is used in recreational diving, technical diving, and professional diving. The system is based on the principle that a pair of divers is safer than a single diver due to the potential for assistance in an emergency.

Buddy Check

Before entering the water, divers perform a "buddy check", where each diver checks the other's diving equipment. This includes checking the scuba set, diving mask, diving suit, and other equipment. The buddy check is a final opportunity to catch any equipment problems before the dive begins.

Buddy Breathing

Buddy breathing is a rescue technique used in scuba diving when one diver runs out of air and has to share a single mouthpiece with another diver. This technique requires good communication and coordination between the divers.

Buddy Separation

In the event of a separation, divers are trained to search for their buddy for no more than a minute before surfacing to reunite. This is to prevent the divers from getting too far apart and losing each other.

Criticism and Alternatives

Some divers prefer to dive alone, using a practice known as solo diving. Critics of the buddy system argue that it can create a false sense of security, and that some divers may rely too heavily on their buddy instead of taking responsibility for their own safety.

See Also

• Scuba diving
• Technical diving
• Professional diving
• Solo diving

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