When SCUBA diving, it is important that each diver has a buddy. Diving with a buddy helps to ensure that all safety procedures are being followed and that someone is there to help in the event of an accident. In order to make the most of the dive, a good dive buddy should possess certain attributes. It is these qualities that will allow everyone involved to have a safe and memorable experience.
One quality that a good dive buddy must have is a positive attitude. A diver’s attitude topside is often a good indication of how they will behave underwater. For instance, if your dive buddy is very conscious about safety measures (as we all should be), they will likely exert conservatism when down below. This buddy likely won’t push the limits or do anything that will cause others to be in harm’s way.
Another quality that a diver buddy should have is an awareness of their surroundings. On each and every dive, the buddy must be aware of their buddy or diving team, the equipment they’re using, and their environment. A good buddy will know when to make corrections to their buoyancy to avoid dropping onto coral or other marine habitats. Besides this, a good buddy will have full control over their equipment and keep tabs on their diving party, not allowing their equipment to drag through the substrate or go wandering off alone.
One of the most important qualities for a good dive buddy to have is a calm demeanor. There are many risks and dangers that come with diving and the last thing anyone wants in a buddy is the propensity to panic in high stress situations. The best kind of buddy to have is one who will react calmly to any emergencies or situations that may develop underwater and follow their training. There is a lot to be said for the expression, “Cooler heads will prevail” when it comes to SCUBA diving.
When on the hunt for a buddy to go diving with, it is a good idea to look out for individuals who bear these traits. If these traits are obvious from the get-go, you can be relatively comfortable on the dive knowing that you’ve chosen a good dive buddy.
