freewillie
Contributor
Right out of OW training we get it hammered into our heads that you need to do a pre-dive buddy check before each and every dive. We parrot the BWRAF and face our buddies and go through the check list. Then somewhere along the way we still start checking our gear but not quite in such a formal manner. In fact, it's been several dives since I last did a formal buddy check with my daughter - who happens to be my normal dive buddy.
In my defense I've actually done most of the check list already. Since we usually are boat diving on vacation these days once we board the boat we start prepping our gear once we've been assigned a spot and as we start unpacking the dive back. BC's come out and get placed on the tanks. Tanks straps are checked for tightness at that time. The crew asks for how much weight we need for the dive and then gets placed into the weight integrated pockets of the BC. Regulators are placed on the tank and hoses attached to power inflators. Quick check for function and check PSI for air levels to ensure properly filled tanks. Once we arrive at the dive site, get our briefing, then start to get into our gear. I always recheck the tanks to make sure they are open and we both breath a few times on the regs to make sure they are working and then add air into the BC's for preparation for giant strides. Quick okay sign for my buddy and then we get into the water.
But we've not been in the habit recently of facing each other to go through our check list. I already know her BC releases, it hasn't changed since the last time we dove. There is no weight belt to check and unless a weight drops on the deck it should be in the weight pocket right were we put it last. SPG is registering our air pressure and tanks valves are in the open position. Regs and power inflator are checked with a few breaths and adding the air just before entry.
How many would still insist that we should get back into the habit of facing each other and do another BWRAF style buddy check, or did we just do one rather informally and that is and adequate if not informal buddy check.
In my defense I've actually done most of the check list already. Since we usually are boat diving on vacation these days once we board the boat we start prepping our gear once we've been assigned a spot and as we start unpacking the dive back. BC's come out and get placed on the tanks. Tanks straps are checked for tightness at that time. The crew asks for how much weight we need for the dive and then gets placed into the weight integrated pockets of the BC. Regulators are placed on the tank and hoses attached to power inflators. Quick check for function and check PSI for air levels to ensure properly filled tanks. Once we arrive at the dive site, get our briefing, then start to get into our gear. I always recheck the tanks to make sure they are open and we both breath a few times on the regs to make sure they are working and then add air into the BC's for preparation for giant strides. Quick okay sign for my buddy and then we get into the water.
But we've not been in the habit recently of facing each other to go through our check list. I already know her BC releases, it hasn't changed since the last time we dove. There is no weight belt to check and unless a weight drops on the deck it should be in the weight pocket right were we put it last. SPG is registering our air pressure and tanks valves are in the open position. Regs and power inflator are checked with a few breaths and adding the air just before entry.
How many would still insist that we should get back into the habit of facing each other and do another BWRAF style buddy check, or did we just do one rather informally and that is and adequate if not informal buddy check.