When did you learn Buddy Breathing

[Diver0001]

This thread

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/advanced-scuba-discussions/315110-buddy-breathing.html

contains a poll showing (at the moment) about 68% of people who think buddy breathing should be learned at the basic level.

That got me to thinking..... When *do* most people learn it, if at all?

So answer the poll. If you want to discuss it, please refer to the other thread. There's no reason for two parallel discussions on the topic.

R..

 

[M_Bipartitus]

I put down "Advanced", but If I recall, it was actually a PADI wreck specialty where we did the buddy breath with gear exchange drill more common to PADI DM classes.

 

[Mopar]

In the 80's we did it in our open water. I was certified with YMCA.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

YMCA OW ... February 2001

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Puffer Fish]

A few years before they invented the Octo...so basic open water.

 

[Phishie]

I never learned it. It was in the book if you want to count that, but the skill was never practiced.

I have made sure I'm familiar with it, but I still have not yet actually practiced the skill with anyone.

 

[H2O 70]

I was taught about it in OW, however I didn't actually have to do it as part of any evaluation until DM.

 

[Mopar]

That is a skill I hope me and my buddy don't never have to use.

 

[101recon]

I learned in OW.My instuctors put a fair amount of emphasis on it.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I have made sure I'm familiar with it, but I still have not yet actually practiced the skill with anyone.

... then you are not familiar with it.

Not intended as a slam ... just to point out that you cannot learn this skill by reading about it. If you want to familiarize yourself with how it's done, I'd recommend practicing it in a pool first, preferably with someone who knows how it's done. Then practice it in OW a few times with your dive buddy.

Buddy breathing isn't particularly difficult. What's difficult is buddy breathing while you have to actually do something else ... like make a controlled ascent with a stressed-out buddy. Like any skill, when you need it you want to be comfortable enough with how it's done that it doesn't take all your conscious effort ... because you're going to need some of that to get you to the surface. You can only get to that point by practicing the skill ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)