ScubaSteve
Wow.....what a DB
First of all, this is why I do not want anybody touching my gear without me knowing it (no matter where I am). I like to set-up my own gear and do the final once over before I jump in (or in this case throw it in).
What this brings to light in my opinion is that while even a dive briefing might have helped, there really is no replacement for a good buddy check. Even if it is on the boat with no gear "on your person", it would likely have pointed out that your wife had "whoops" pushed the wrong button. I have never been on a boat where I was asked to don my gear in the water but if I am, now I know that a full buddy check is still better (IMO) general dive briefing.
What this brings to light in my opinion is that while even a dive briefing might have helped, there really is no replacement for a good buddy check. Even if it is on the boat with no gear "on your person", it would likely have pointed out that your wife had "whoops" pushed the wrong button. I have never been on a boat where I was asked to don my gear in the water but if I am, now I know that a full buddy check is still better (IMO) general dive briefing.