Buddy check

Divers doing a buddy check - This is usually done before entering the water, but there may be reasons to check again in the water if something does not appear to be right.

The buddy check is a procedure carried out by scuba divers using the buddy system where each diver checks that the other's diving equipment is configured and functioning correctly just before the start of the dive.[1] A study of pre-dive equipment checks done by individual divers showed that divers often fail to recognize common equipment faults.[2] By checking each other's equipment as well as their own, it is thought to be more likely that these faults will be identified prior to the start of the dive.

The wide variety of types of buoyancy compensator, diving suits and types of scuba equipment means that it is important for each buddy to understand the other's equipment configuration in case one has to help or rescue the other. The buddy check is a last minute opportunity to become familiar with the dive buddy's equipment.

Similar systems are used by technical team divers and professional divers with the similar goal of ensuring that the divers are ready to safely enter the water. Professional divers may be required by organizational policy to use an itemised checklist.[3]

  1. ^ Sport Diving, p118,123, British Sub Aqua Club ISBN 0-09-163831-3
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Acott was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference US Navy Diving Manual 2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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