Let us glance in depth at a buddy check out…
Firstly, why do a buddy verify? Respond to… For your peace of intellect. You may perhaps have dived with this unique buddy hundreds of times, with the same kit and configuration or this could be the 1st time that you have dived collectively, in both scenario I recommend that the same verify is carried out. The buddy you have dived with hundreds of situations ahead of may well have neglected something on this occasion. The buddy that you have never ever dived with right before may perhaps not established up his package thoroughly or may have kit that you are not common with i.e excess weight system or BCD inflation program, you have to have to know how this kit is operated or jettisoned in an emergency.
If you are PADI properly trained you ended up taught the “BWRAF” look at or if you were “BSAC trained you ended up taught the “BARE” check out or a variation of that, both techniques address the identical checks but in various buy and purpose to fulfill the identical requirements… So let’s do a “Buddy Verify”.
B stands for “BUOYANCY”. You verify your buddies buoyancy system, how is it inflated? Inflate it, just a little bit, How is it deflated? deflate it. Wherever are any speedy air dumps located and how are they operated? Are there any noticeable leaks that may perhaps bring about a challenge later in the dive.
W in the PADI look at stands for weights, this arrives beneath E for extras in the BSAC checks. You check you buddies excess weight procedure, are they applying a belt or built-in weights? If a belt, is the belt limited(if it is somewhat unfastened it could induce a dilemma by slipping down when they strike the h2o or when they descend and their damp fit/drysuit compresses). Is the buckle shut correctly? i.e. no webbing is trapped in the closure blocking the buckle from entirely closing( I have observed this so quite a few periods on dive boats, the unfastened conclude of the belt hangs down at an angle when the buckle is closed acquiring trapped in the reduce aspect of the buckle allowing the buckle to spring open when the diver hits the h2o, ensuing in a shed pounds belt at the surface or even worse when the diver is at 30 meters). Is it on thoroughly? I.e. remaining hand release. Is the buckle quickly accessible? It should really not be obstructed by the BCD cumberband for case in point. For integrated bodyweight devices test that they are completely secured by whatever securing equipment they have i.e. clips, straps, velcro and many others. Make positive you know how to release them in an unexpected emergency. (I personally loathe built-in fat methods, whichever approach of securing them is utilized by no means appears to be very secure or foolproof to me).
R for releases. Test any releases on your buddy’s Buoyancy system, how several releases are there? In which are they situated? Are they all secure? How do you undo them in an unexpected emergency?
A for air. I start out with the tank band, is it limited? is the clip shut off correctly, an significant detail about this is building confident that the free conclusion of the strap is handed by the 3rd slot on the buckle, this guarantees that the buckle cannot get knocked and arrive undone, so many professional divers do not lock their tank straps off in this way, I have seen many incidents exactly where a diver’s tank has occur unfastened in mid-dive, on close inspection the tank band has not been secured and locked off in this way. Is the band moist? If the tank band has been tightened to the cylinder when it is dry it will look restricted but as soon as it enters the water and gets damp the webbing will develop ensuing in a loose-fitting tank band.
Next assure the air is turned on, check the SPG to make absolutely sure there is adequate air in the cylinder for your planned dive. Then examine the 2nd stages, each of you must get a number of breaths simultaneously, your buddy from the key 2nd stage, you from the alternate 2nd phase, acquire 3 or 4 deep sharp breaths jointly even though viewing the SPG, if there is any flickering or motion of the SPG needle a challenge with the regs in indicated and they need to not be used until the trouble has been identified and rectified, this is generally one thing as basic as turning the air on entirely.
F is for “ultimate” similar as E is for “extras”, check out almost everything is secured in area and streamlined, almost nothing is hanging unfastened that could get snagged and bring about entrapment to the diver or drag along the bottom leading to destruction to the piece of tools or marine existence. Fins and mask are prepared to be donned and straps are in great condition.
This may seem long-winded and time-consuming but in apply only usually takes about 2-4 minutes at most, time properly invested if you find a difficulty or the possible induce of a issue and rectify it just before it takes place.
Now you are completely ready to enter the water but just a single much more verify the moment you are in the drinking water, descend to 3-6 meters and just glimpse each and every other above for any untoward bubbles coming from any hoses, connections, inflators etc.
Enjoy your dive staying as confident as you can be that neither of you are going to suffer any unforeseen equipment challenges all through your dive.
