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The Buddy System

Survive the Dive

The Buddy System

Always dive with a buddy. The Buddy system is developed to improve diver survival across a range of situations.

BUDDY DIVING BEST PRACTICE

Buddy Diving can save you during catastrophic gear failure, out-of-air emergencies, entanglement, disorientation including but not restricted to cave and wreck diving, and underwater medical emergencies.

As a rule, the buddy system applies to pairs of divers. Even when diving in groups, members of the group should always pair up.

  • Both divers should be fit to dive the conditions
  • A dive plan should be formulated and agreed on including provisions for separation
  • All gear and equipment should be checked before entering the water
  • Both divers should be familiar with the operation of each other equipment
  • Both divers should be aware of their responsibility to assist the other diver in an emergency
  • Divers need to maintain a degree of contact throughout the dive
  • Divers should ascend together whenever possible
  • Always tell a third party about your dive trip - preferably someone shore-based

FIND A DIVE BUDDY

New Zealand Underwater would be delighted to help you find a dive buddy. The best place to start would be to make contact with one of our member clubs.

See Also

Weather & Tides
Survive the Dive

Weather & Tides

Always check the weather and tide conditions in advance of departing the dock.
Surface Safely
Survive the Dive

Surface Safely

Safe surfacing procedures, including safety stops, are an essential component in scuba diver's skill set.
Medical checks & Refresher courses
Survive the Dive

Medical checks & Refresher courses

Are you fit to dive? New Zealand Underwater offers consistent advice to divers returning from a hiatus.
Gear Maintenance
Survive the Dive

Gear Maintenance

Routine maintenance is an imperative component of the diver's schedule. Failure can have severe consequences
Diver Down Awareness
Survive the Dive

Diver Down Awareness

With divers, spearfishermen, snorkelers or swimmers in the water it is a legal requirement to display a dive flag.
Survive the Dive - Fit, Check & Signal
Survive the Dive

Survive the Dive - Fit, Check & Signal

The NZ Underwater Association’s signature safety message to all divers,even the best of the best, is to ask themselves a few simple but essential questions…

More

Survive the Dive
Gear Maintenance
Survive the Dive
The Buddy System
Survive the Dive
Diver Down Awareness