Question about buddy system protocol...

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I agree, I dropped the ball by not discussing what to do in the event of a separation from my buddy. I assumed (and we all know what they say regarding that...) that we would be on the same wavelength regarding training and response due to having the same instructor, which was an error on my part.

I always try to discuss the dive with my buddy beforehand but sometimes get the feeling that they think I'm being too obsessive and worried about planning, but the reality is that diving is/can be a dangerous sport, and mis-communications about when to ascend/head back/lost buddy procedures can have bad consequences. The confusion experienced probably would have been eliminated had we discussed this scenario prior to the dive.

I'm glad to know I followed correct protocol (even rechecked textbook last night to be sure :coffee:) Anyone have suggestions on how to handle the situation if comments continue to be made regarding what happened? So far I've just been simply stating I followed MAUI procedure (which doesn't seem to make much difference)
 
Admit that you both made a mistake by failing to go over lost buddy procedures and tell him you're not planning to ever let that happen again. Leave it at that.
 
Admit that you both made a mistake by failing to go over lost buddy procedures and tell him you're not planning to ever let that happen again. Leave it at that.

You did the right thing during the dive by ascending. Now you realize that separation planing is essential when diving with a new buddy that may not see buddy separation as a go up and find them option.
 
I always try to discuss the dive with my buddy beforehand but sometimes get the feeling that they think I'm being too obsessive and worried about planning, but the reality is that diving is/can be a dangerous sport, and mis-communications about when to ascend/head back/lost buddy procedures can have bad consequences. The confusion experienced probably would have been eliminated had we discussed this scenario prior to the dive.

You should never feel that way. If that's the case, maybe you should start looking for some new buddies. It's your life....be as obsessive with safety as you want/need to make sure that you are going to come out alive at the end of the dive.

People should never make you feel bad about wanting to do a buddy check, go over what you'll do in case of buddy separation, making a gas and dive plan, etc. All these things have the potential to save your life, and if they're not unspoken things (as comes with a regular buddy), they should be discussed upfront....and if your buddy doesn't like that, then find a buddy who dives under a more similar philosophy as you.
 
So I have to ask...if PADI says "look for one minute than surface", does NAUI? How about SSI?

If this IS a standard across the dive industry than while a discussion is a great "just checking"...why would anyone expect someone to ignore industry training?

In both the military and flying I have always been taught to train like it is real and do like you trained.
 
More importantly, the separation procedure needs to be consistent with the diving conditions. Most agencies teach the "1 minute then ascend" because it limits liability and is a simple solution for new divers. In my neck of the woods, making a free ascent off of a wreck 30 miles offshore in current is not going to end well for anyone. At best, you have a very long swim ahead of you. At worst, you are going to spending some alone time bobbing in the ocean waiting for someone to find you. Having a plan that says you meet back at the anchor line, or at a specific feature on the wreck is perfectly acceptable is the conditions would make a direct ascent to the surface difficult. In bad vis on an offshore dive, it's also a good idea to carry a torch, even in daylight, to extend the range at which you can signal and locate your buddy.

battles2a5 makes an excellent point. Although you did a textbook lost diver procedure, it was probably not the best decision given the described conditions. I tell my students that in 80-80 water the textbook works. In offshore conditions found up and down the east coast, where one is diving in low viz, with a heady surface current, retracing you path the the anchor or mooring line is a better decision. Chances are that you will reconnect with your buddy while still at depth.
 
battles2a5 makes an excellent point. Although you did a textbook lost diver procedure, it was probably not the best decision given the described conditions. I tell my students that in 80-80 water the textbook works. In offshore conditions found up and down the east coast, where one is diving in low viz, with a heady surface current, retracing you path the the anchor or mooring line is a better decision. Chances are that you will reconnect with your buddy while still at depth.

I did return to the anchor line where we descended (forgot to include that in my initial post), trying to retrace the same route that we took. After that, surfaced according to instructions given by boat crew. The current wasn't too bad (rated as slight).
 
IMO, considering that there was no plan made ahead, you made it very right, follow the standard procedure when nothing else was agreed between you and your buddy.

The proper procedure when you go diving with someone you not dive with frequently should basically consider at least the following key points:

1 - Specially if you do not use a standardized configuration, take some time to know your buddy's equipment.

- Where is his backup reg? In case of OOA, will he donate you the primary or the backup?
- What safety equipment does he have, and where is it? SMB, sausage, spool reel, spare mask, etc
- Try to find a particular characteristic that make it easier to tell him from others underwater, not to start following the wrong diver

2 - Make a separate buddy plan and if it happens, do exactly as planned.

3 - Check the dive plan

- Max depth?
- Which should be the dive route?
- Who leads, who follows?
- Specially if you know nothing about the place and will decide the initial direction underwater, you must agree before going into the water who is leading.

In the water, clearly sign your intention and wait for the answer of your buddy to be sure he understands, for example, if you decide for some reason to switch leadership, clearly sign "I go in front, you follow" and wait for the ok before continuing the dive. In low viz use a good light, the light bean can be seen after you cannot see the diver himself anymore.

About your last issue, some may say this is a little bit radical, but I do not dive with someone I cannot trust, this is part of the dive philosofy I believe in. Even if you didn't make a pre dive plan, there was a standard that is taught not only by NAUI, but all agencies, that should be followed if nothing else agreed. I would not dive with this guy again, unless there was a very good reason to overlook the procedure (but in this case I cannot see any), or you have a very good talk and you really feel his comitment to correct his mistake (and of course admit it)
 
Several people have said the same thing: you did exactly what you were trained to do. Your buddy received the same training and CHOSE to ignore it. You might want to reconsider who you dive with.

You didn't just lose track of your buddy, your buddy lost track of you. What if you had a serious complication? Where's your buddy? If your buddy had a problem, where were you? Separation is a bad thing!

I wouldn't quibble with the idea that you might swim some horizontal distance to reach an anchor line (or whatever) before directly ascending but I guess it could be argued that you are moving away from where your buddy might have last seen you. Still, there are situations where a direct ascent isn't reasonable. All of this should be discussed before diving.

The training is: search for one minute and then surface. That is the default plan. It doesn't apply to every type of dive but for ordinary recreational diving (no overhead, virtual or otherwise), it is the plan.

Richard
 
About your last issue, some may say this is a little bit radical, but I do not dive with someone I cannot trust, this is part of the dive philosofy I believe in. Even if you didn't make a pre dive plan, there was a standard that is taught not only by NAUI, but all agencies, that should be followed if nothing else agreed. I would not dive with this guy again, unless there was a very good reason to overlook the procedure (but in this case I cannot see any), or you have a very good talk and you really feel his comitment to correct his mistake (and of course admit it)

Why is that radical? I won't ride in a car with a driver I CAN'T TRUST WITH MY LIFE, why would I dive with a Buddy I CAN'T TRUST WITH MY LIFE?

There are reasons why we are trained STANDARD PRACTICES. In the event something unplanned happens we have that training to fall back on.
 
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