Pre-dive buddy check; How many of you actually do it?

[MXGratefulDiver]

Don't assume that experienced divers aren't doing buddy checks ... they often do it without being obvious. Once you've done something a coupla thousand times, it doesn't require a "checklist" approach anymore. As a matter of routine, I am pretty familiar with what my dive buddy is wearing well before we prepare to enter the water. Safe seconds and weighting configurations only come in so many variations ... and a quick visual scan will tell you what you need to know. I'll pay attention to make sure all my buddy's hose connections are secure, and breathe off both regs to make sure they're functioning properly (and to assure the tank valve is turned on). Some buddies prefer a formal review of gear and dive plan just before submerging, others don't. What I'll accommodate really depends on the dive buddy.

The one thing I do insist on is a routine bubble check ... because if one of us has got a leaking hose or connection somewhere, I really do want the opportunity to decide what to do about it ahead of the dive.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[BabyDuck]

yes and no.

my usual buddy usually gears up next to me in the back of the car or on the bench, and i end up doing a 'below the radar' buddy check - not really looking as much as noticing. to someone watching us, it would look like no check was happening. he does the same to me.

if i dive with an un-usual buddy i'm more interested in showing them how my stuff would work for them than making sure i know how their stuff will work for me. it might be hubris, but i don't have them as part of my emergency plan.

 

[Sas]

I always do a full check of my own gear and with my two regular buddies we do buddy checks almost every dive. For non-regular buddies I will go through my gear config (i.e. how I will donate air if they need, how to ditch my weight), will ask them about theirs and ask if they want a buddy check. Some people (usually the ones with experience) seem to find it an amusing question but most do not mind. New divers always say yes and take it more seriously. I do not mind either way as I do not tend to do difficult dives with anyone other than regular buddies or people who I know are experienced and competent.

 

[TSandM]

Parrothead, I had (and still have) the same experience you are having. My buddy for my first five dives after certification was my OW Instructor (since I was doing AOW), and we never did buddy checks. It bewildered me then, and does now.

After a bunch more training and more experience, I have decided that my team does buddy checks. Period. I'm a bit of a PITA about it. Everybody who dives with me knows that's how I am, and I've had a dive buddy sigh and say, "Okay, Lynne, do your head-to-toe thing."

I don't understand why people don't do this. Once you have gone through it a bit, it's very quick. Solving problems on land or in waist-deep water is SO much nicer than trying to solve them underwater. And yes, I could go through it for myself (and usually have -- but I've missed things doing that) but having two or three brains doing it will make sure I don't leave anything out. Plus I know, then, that my buddies' stuff is all squared away, too.

Have the courage of your convictions. Join me in the pre-dive PITA club!

 

[Brandon]

Once a pre-dive check becomes second nature, you'd be surprised how instantly you notice something wrong.

I imagine all the divers doing this regularly have glanced at their buddy and noticed their drysuit hose wasn't connected, or that they had a hose tucked under their webbing. You get so used to how things -should- look, that as soon as something is out of place it grabs your attention almost instantly.

Verbalizing the check and making an obvious pause to do it will help prevent complacency and remind you that it has a purpose.

-B

 

[TMHeimer]

Good question. After I did my OW I asked my buddy the same thing. We both came to the conclusion that in all our experiences with other buddies, no one really did it. I noticed while doing 6 specialties courses not even the instructors (several) did it with us or themselves. I think it is stressed in the OW course as a basis for safety, but the BWRAF seems to never be done anywhere in such detail. This also includes people and DMs on charter boats. I do some solo diving and basically make sure everything is AOK to descend. Likewise for me and my regular buddy. Most people say that after a while you just know what to check and usually do it all yourself, on yourself, then

just ask the buddy if he is good to go, assuming he has done likewise. Now I am a DIT, and find that it will be emphasized again, of course, in training newbies. Can't go wrong doing it in detail, but I have yet to witness this anywhere.

 

[Black Red]

Yes, i agree tt also.

I was dry for a year and recently went for leisure dive w a new gp of friends. None of them do buddy checks, thou we were assign a buddy for each other.
Given that they r more experience, n i a dry newbie, jus tag along. And none of them brings a snorkle. When one other newbie asked for a snorkel at the LDS, everyone says no need. u r diving y need snorkel. Even the DM says so. -_-

Add a little ego to the equation, I did not ask for one thou I would have very much like to.
Anyway, went to the boat n no buddy checks. Thou my buddy was behind me throughout the dive, tt made me feel better.

Personally I agree that the 1min spend on boat checking will boast my confidence more. Therefore, I'm looking for 'stricter' LDS that do reconise the need for drills n safety briefing.

 

[Gombessa]

I have to admit I've slipped on the equipment check a few times in the past, but as a general rule, we always do a full equipment check before getting in the water (or upon entering the water if it's hot hot hot outside), including test-breathing of regs in the water, valve check, and reg donate to ensure that hoses are routed correctly. It adds to the pre-dive time, but IMO is a little bit of precaution that can go a long way.

 

[bamamedic]

Well, no snorkel for me! But that's besides the point...

I do buddy checks, but they wind up as kind of an informal "once over" of the other diver's gear. If they aren't one of my usual buddies, I'll ask how to release their weights, and where they keep their octo. Otherwise, I have my own little mental "preflight" checklist, that I go over when assembling my own gear. I always assemble my gear in the same order every time, and that seems to work pretty well for me...haven't forgotten anything in awhile (knock on wood!)

I always, always, always check my inflator, test-breathe my regs, check my drysuit inflator, and double check to make sure all valves are open.

That and bubble checks, and a quick check to make sure the long hose is deployable. Pretty much it for me....

 

[scarefaceDM]

with new divers I do a BWRAF all the time. I have to explain the LONG hose theory to them aswell....

with my more experienced buddies...we do the glance check. Very discreet...we do our own check and blow this, breathe that and analize EANX to make sure...the team hears this and know if something is wrong by sound.......with new gear we do a once over cause it is a new toy to play with and have to see what is what. Before we hit the water..a quick breathe off the reg and announce the PSI in the tanks..this is a way to know for sure the gas is on and you have an idea on how much each team mate has....Once we hit the water...a bubble check is done. A review of the dive plan...and dive starts...