Importance of Buddy System In Scuba Diving

Posted by Sam on April 28th, 2017

Scuba diving may be fun, but it can become dangerous. In fact, you never can tell when you might face an accident or experience difficulties underwater. Therefore, diving alone is not recommended. Even the most seasoned scuba divers avoid diving without a companion or scuba dive buddy. The buddy system applies in scuba diving for safety reasons. In case you suddenly run out of air or you get into trouble, you can alert your buddy to help you. Reputable dive centers offering lessons and packages for scuba diving in Phuket observe the scuba dive buddy system, too. This way, they are able to encourage and ensure a safer and enjoyable diving experience. 

The Diver’s Alert Network’s Dive Fatalities Workshop Report in 2010 revealed that 40 percent of diver fatalities happened while the diver is separated from his or her buddy. Hence, having a scuba dive buddy makes sense to somehow help prevent fatalities. Even if some of the dive sites for scuba diving in Phuket are deemed safe, you will still need a buddy to be with you underwater. Your buddy might benefit with you around, too, in case something happens to him or her, too. 

For the scuba dive buddy system to be effective, you need to pick your buddies wisely. The ideal scuba diving buddy is someone who values the buddy system. However, if you are randomly partnered with someone on the spot, only to realize that the person tends to leave you alone, stay near the dive master or the guide, and ask for a different buddy for your next scuba diving in Phuket. Keep in mind that you and your buddy must be able to trust each other one way or another. 

Communication is essential in the scuba dive buddy system. Hence, you need to be able to discuss your dive plan prior to diving. Tell your buddy if you are likely to have problems, which may cause you to be separated from them, such as trouble with ear equalization upon descent. You need to agree on which side each of you should be, your diving objectives, and consider picking a leader between you. There may be a dive master, but one of you should be able to make decisions on where to navigate during the dive. 

About the author: 

This article is written by Richard Reardon, the Platinum PADI Course Director at All4Diving. All4Diving is a leading academy in diving industry in Thailand. It is one of the most awarded PADI centers in the world for its excellence in the domain of professional and recreational diving education.