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I have doubts that using a buddy line would keep both divers at depth with an uncontrolled ascent by one. First diver has an uncontrolled ascent. They rise to the end of the buddy line before the second diver can exert any downward force. By this time the ascending diver is higher in the water column and now is even more buoyant. The whole system of 2 divers starts to rise, with the lower diver at a, rapidly worsening, disadvantage. Now we have 2 victims (potentially) instead of one.
In rescue training we are taught that if we can't vent fast enough to spread eagle. This is with both divers at nearly the same depth. With the buddy line, the lower diver can't even reach the upper diver to assist in venting, and with the difference in depth the imbalance between the 2 is substantially worse.
Never thought of that. First time I've heard of using a line in case of lost weight. I've never used one due to poor viz and agree if needed the dive should probably be thumbed. I've dived solo in viz where I wouldn't if with a buddy. The separation due to viz thing is due to poor buddy distance & lack of continually looking at each other. But the weight loss thing is an interesting angle. Funny it's never (to my knowledge) been discussed on SB.