Dive buddy etiquette - the do's and don'ts

There is no “I” in the word team, and this statement rings equally as true when you apply it to diving. Being underwater is a different ball game from being on land, with many risks involved, and everyone needs someone to watch out for them.

You should never dive without a dive buddy. Ever. And just like compatibility with a friend or coworker, you and your dive buddy need to have a high level of understanding. You need someone who understands underwater communication before heading out to enjoy your experience in the ocean or wherever you're diving. Even if you don't have any diving friends, you can be paired up with another diver, but there are some general rules of dive buddy etiquette that you need to adhere to.

These guidelines are especially important if you and your dive buddy have never dove together before or if you dive at different skill levels.

The buddy check

You will need to do a pre-dive safety check where you and your dive buddy will inspect each other's equipment. This will ensure your equipment is in tip=top shape for your dive. You can use the acronym BWRAF to remember what you need to look out for. Here are the details of BWRAF:

• B-BCD/Buoyancy: This check ensures your equipment is connected and functioning as it should. You will test whether the inflator button and deflator valves are working and adjusted correctly.

• W-Weights: Divers should ensure they have the correct weights. More so, you need to check that the weights are secure by tugging on the BC weight pouches to ensure they are locked in. You can also check weight belts, rear BC weight pockets, and other areas with weights.

• R-Releases: Check your releases, including the BC shoulder and chest straps, weight belt, and tank strap, to make sure they are secure. Both you and your partner should know how to open the release in emergencies.

• A-Air: Your air checks should include physically verifying that the cylinder valve is open and using an SPG or air-integrated computer as you take multiple breaths. Doing this will show you and your dive buddy how much air is available, and ensures your air monitoring devices are functional and the air tastes normal.

• F-Final check: Your final check includes gathering up all your dive gear, securing any loose objects, and doing a head-to-toe inspection to guarantee you are adequately prepared for the dive. Check over your fins and dive mask as well to ensure everything is in full working order.

Review hand signals

Hand signals are your lifeline because you will not be able to hear each other during the dive. They are your only real means of communication while under the water. Both divers need to be on the same page about what hand signals to use for different purposes. To make sure it's clear, go over all the hand signals you know, whether for indicating remaining air pressure, turning around or for when you run out of air.

It's important to reiterate that diving is not a competition and different divers use different amounts of air depending on their experience. Be open and honest about your diving styles and expectations before heading out to avoid any surprises underwater.

Here are some of the most important signals to go over:

• Going up/ascend

• Going down/descend

• Something is wrong

• I am ok

• Slow down

• Out of air/give me air now

• Emergency! Help me now!

• Danger in that direction

• Look

Adapt to your buddy's skill level

There are circumstances where your skill levels will not match. As the better-skilled diver, you need to adjust to the pace of the less skilled diver's ability or certification. Do your part to make their experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible by adjusting your pace, depth, and air consumption rate.

Avoid showboating by sneaking off to 40 meters deep to enjoy a gorgonian while your partner is only at 18 meters. The experience will be more enjoyable when you go at it together.

Establish a dive plan

You are limited on time when you're diving, and creating a dive plan helps you make the most out of every minute you have underwater. You can do this by discussing what you plan to do on the dive, such as the wrecks, animals, and plants you want to see, the pictures you want to take, and approximately how much time each should take.

You should also agree on diving style and whether you will dive lead-follow or side by side. Having a plan will help you stay on course and avoid unplanned mishaps.

Stay close to your buddy

You have a buddy to watch each other's backs. Straying away from each other would make that difficult, especially because signals are challenging to understand from a distance. It is to your advantage to stay close to each other for your safety and security.

The don'ts of dive buddy etiquette

1. Don't put pressure on your dive buddy

Diving takes some getting used to, so you need to be understanding and slowly induct a new diver patiently. There is no need to make your dive buddy feel pressure to do anything that is uncomfortable for them. Let them warm up to the experience at their pace.

2. Don't brush over pre-dive checks

Experienced divers may feel overconfident and consider skipping or paying less attention to pre-dive checks. But this is a big no-no. You should be present and active during pre-dive inspections on equipment and hand signals no matter how long you've been diving. This will give your dive buddy confidence and ensure you are both safe and secure during the dive.

3. Don't play tricks on them

Pranks can be funny but not underwater where things can go wrong fast. Save the jokes for where it is safe, above the water.

The importance of dive buddy etiquette

Diving is meant to be full of adventure and fun. But to make the most of it, you need to ensure you follow these safety guidelines to avoid unpleasant circumstances.

Besides being paired with the right dive buddy, you need to make sure all pre-checks on equipment and hand signals are done, plus create a loose plan to guide your dive. Once those are out of the way, you can fully enjoy your dive with less to worry about!