DaleC
Contributor
By standardizing I mean there are some general concepts that are accepted and taught by most agencies (UTD/GUE aside).
First, that you share available air with your buddy if they are in need. This doesn't mean extending a routine dive or not preferring to donate one airsource over the other, but in the end, if someone is OOA, you give them air. This is of course, because another general concept is that, if there is trouble like that on a dive, the dive should end. There is no need to "save" air. No agency teaches rec divers to carry an airsource they will not donate to others (MOD/mixes aside). If conditions require reserve air for exit, one would assume that is factored into the dive plan.
The second concept is donating the octo, which should be kept in the triangle. That octo may be off the backgas or off the pony, but it should be where most people expect it to be. Will some people grab the primary, sure. But the SOP is donation of the octo.
In cases where the diver varies those principles (longhose primaries, Air2's etc...) it is up to them to ensure an unsuspecting buddy is made aware of those changes and to be prepared for that diver to revert to their basic training. If I'm using my longhose with a new diver I know I have to be proactive should they need a donation, or they may grab my B/U by reflex.
Probably the underlying theme I see being negated in some posts is the notion of choosing whether to render aid to a buddy in need or not. Some seem to think it's an option, wherein training suggests it's an obligation. Of course that does not extend to self endangerment, but before that line is crossed one is expected to do everything they can with everything they have. If ones thoughts run counter to that, they should be clearly expressed to the unknowing buddy who may have different expectations based on the general principles of the buddy system.
First, that you share available air with your buddy if they are in need. This doesn't mean extending a routine dive or not preferring to donate one airsource over the other, but in the end, if someone is OOA, you give them air. This is of course, because another general concept is that, if there is trouble like that on a dive, the dive should end. There is no need to "save" air. No agency teaches rec divers to carry an airsource they will not donate to others (MOD/mixes aside). If conditions require reserve air for exit, one would assume that is factored into the dive plan.
The second concept is donating the octo, which should be kept in the triangle. That octo may be off the backgas or off the pony, but it should be where most people expect it to be. Will some people grab the primary, sure. But the SOP is donation of the octo.
In cases where the diver varies those principles (longhose primaries, Air2's etc...) it is up to them to ensure an unsuspecting buddy is made aware of those changes and to be prepared for that diver to revert to their basic training. If I'm using my longhose with a new diver I know I have to be proactive should they need a donation, or they may grab my B/U by reflex.
Probably the underlying theme I see being negated in some posts is the notion of choosing whether to render aid to a buddy in need or not. Some seem to think it's an option, wherein training suggests it's an obligation. Of course that does not extend to self endangerment, but before that line is crossed one is expected to do everything they can with everything they have. If ones thoughts run counter to that, they should be clearly expressed to the unknowing buddy who may have different expectations based on the general principles of the buddy system.
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