Are you a good Instructor/DM/Guide/Buddy?

[paolov]

DAN's Safety Tips for
Diving with a Buddy

HINTS FOR DIVING WITH A BUDDY ...

Choose a compatible buddy ... someone with similar underwater interests who moves at the same speed as you is more likely to remain close by.

Plan the dive together, and agree on what you will do once underwater.
Where you will go? Who will lead?
What will be your bottom time? Maximum depth? Air cut-off?

Agree on what safety stops you will perform.

Confirm your underwater signals before diving with a new buddy.

Agree on lost buddy procedure: if a diver goes missing, the other diver searches for no more than one minute, after which he/she surfaces.

Begin the descent together, facing each other. Match your descent speed to that of the slower diver.

Be equal partners underwater. Avoid dependant diving, where one diver constantly leads and the other follows.

Share the lead by using pre-arranged signals, or swim side by side.

Signal frequently while underwater.

Agree that it's "one-out all out".

Follow these tips and you will be on your way to a memorable and safe summer diving season!

Safe Diving from the DAN SEAP Team

 

[Halthron]

Something they need to add, the thumb is not a question. If you're uncomfortable enough to ask your buddy if (s)he wants to end the dive, you should be ending it.