Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
The only person I trust to turn on or check my air is my buddy, who also happens to be a licensed plumber.
People embarrassed to do pre dive buddy check?
- Thread starter Alurpal
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Roy_W
Contributor
Exactly ,the method we use involves only touching your own gear and checking your own regulators etc..
If there are new divers in the group there is a summary visual verification of everyones gear, unusual inflators, BCD, SPGs, octopus placement etc Quick question asking if there are any changes to their dive computers, unusual setting, GFs, deep stop, last stop etc...
If there are no new divers our buddy check is as follows. We call it the G.V.I. check ( Gas, Volume, Instrument)
1 : Everyone looks at their SPG, physical or AI and takes three breathes into their 1st stage, then does the same thing with their octopus. Ensuring that the needle/reading does not change...
2 : Everyone verifies that their BCD can be inflated/deflated..
3 : Everyone verifies their dive computer is switched on and is the appropriate mode..
3a : A quick bubble check around the 5m mark.
That's it, takes 2 minutes at most. I wouldn't want anyone breathing in my regs either, nor do I need anyone touching my gear just before the dive.
I just got back from a week diving in Little Cayman. The diving was "concierge" boat diving. The first day when we brought our gear down to the boat I explained to the crew that I did not want anyone to set up or touch my gear and that I would take my regulator setup off of the boat each day. They were reluctantly good with that. I also put on my own gear and walked to the back of the boat, put on my fins and jumped in, instead of sitting on the platform and having the crew bring my gear and setup to me there. Same getting out, I would remove and hold my fins, climb the ladder and walk back to my spot on the boat and then remove my gear and switch my own tanks, again, they were tolerant, but I could tell that it messed with their sequence.
I noticed throughout the week that only one or two people would occasionally do a pre dive check. Again, I would get funny looks because I, (and my dive partner), do a GUE-EDGE check every time I enter the water, whether it is a deep ocean dive or a pool dive, every dive the same way for 20 years.
So, on vacation with a polished Freedom Plate, long hose setup, two dive computers, pocketed 3 mm wetsuit, and "weird" ritualistic pre dive sequence I was "that guy", but that's just fine with me.
Being responsible for yourself and your own equipment means you will be less of a hazard to others.
I noticed throughout the week that only one or two people would occasionally do a pre dive check. Again, I would get funny looks because I, (and my dive partner), do a GUE-EDGE check every time I enter the water, whether it is a deep ocean dive or a pool dive, every dive the same way for 20 years.
So, on vacation with a polished Freedom Plate, long hose setup, two dive computers, pocketed 3 mm wetsuit, and "weird" ritualistic pre dive sequence I was "that guy", but that's just fine with me.
Being responsible for yourself and your own equipment means you will be less of a hazard to others.
Buddy check overrated. Good for students.
Problem is, if you want buddy check, just ask!!!! I never meet anyone who refused to help.
DAN publish Research about checklist, no one cares, because big problem so many don't know how to do a good buddy check. You will learn diving easy, so many here promote risk taking. I belive correct word is: EGO. It is more American to show others you don't need buddy check. Take a trip on good place,...you will be surprized that you have lots of eyes on you!!!! This very good thing, even if you not notice. There are places where people will look out for you,...this not that place.
I'll say this: When using Drager, buddy check take 25 minuits. And everyone, participates.
Problem is, if you want buddy check, just ask!!!! I never meet anyone who refused to help.
DAN publish Research about checklist, no one cares, because big problem so many don't know how to do a good buddy check. You will learn diving easy, so many here promote risk taking. I belive correct word is: EGO. It is more American to show others you don't need buddy check. Take a trip on good place,...you will be surprized that you have lots of eyes on you!!!! This very good thing, even if you not notice. There are places where people will look out for you,...this not that place.
I'll say this: When using Drager, buddy check take 25 minuits. And everyone, participates.
If you are primarily a solo diver......like myself..... and my buddy is only me..... then a full pre-dive self buddy check is essential. I recently learned this lesson the hard way. Also, and equally important is to do a "post splash" underwater re-check of all systems to confirm that the pre-splash check was all in in order. Then just go have fun!
Six Feet Under
Contributor
I really only dive sidemount anymore, so I'd rather be the only person with hands on my stuff (sounds like a good way for my left side tank that is connected to my BC to be shut off inadvertently by someone who doesn't have experience with opposing valves).
That said, I'd happily take, or do for someone else, any buddy check that someone wants. I'd like for people I dive with (namely AOW divers when not doing some kind of overhead diving) to be more familiar with my equipment setup on the off chance they are OOA or have some other issue.
That said, I'd happily take, or do for someone else, any buddy check that someone wants. I'd like for people I dive with (namely AOW divers when not doing some kind of overhead diving) to be more familiar with my equipment setup on the off chance they are OOA or have some other issue.
Blackcrusader
Contributor
IT doesn’t happen often that I dive with people I don’t know, but why would I let a stranger touch my valves etc?
Thanks but I do my own checks since I trust myself more.
Does a buddy check require someone to touch your gear always? Anyway it's also so you know your buddies system such as do they use inserts weights and where are they or do they use a weight belt.
It is fairly customary for DMs or the deck person to turn the valve to ensure it is on at many dive resorts. They will often do it without your knowing. It is sort of like this, another diver no, that would bug me, but a DM or other hand who has turned probably a million valves, I do not frett it. I always take a few breaths looking at the spg just before I drop in.
I try to go with the flow unless it appears dangerous. Like taking my fins off in the water. But, just to say, some boats do not like divers gearing up and walking in fins unassisted because if you fall you can hurt yourself, another customer or the crew.
Concierge service, frankly, I am starting to enjoy it. Years of fussing over my gear, do not scratch that, do not touch this do not drop my whatever, blah, blah. Get over it (talking to myself). The only thing I carry on about now is me (getting scratched or hurt or my wife) and my da--- camera system I am still fussy over. I usually carry my own regulators but even there I have sort of given in.
I try to go with the flow unless it appears dangerous. Like taking my fins off in the water. But, just to say, some boats do not like divers gearing up and walking in fins unassisted because if you fall you can hurt yourself, another customer or the crew.
Concierge service, frankly, I am starting to enjoy it. Years of fussing over my gear, do not scratch that, do not touch this do not drop my whatever, blah, blah. Get over it (talking to myself). The only thing I carry on about now is me (getting scratched or hurt or my wife) and my da--- camera system I am still fussy over. I usually carry my own regulators but even there I have sort of given in.
blueskies_up_ahead
Contributor
I just watched part of a presentation by DAN on dive accidents and fatalities. Some of the responses in this thread fit right in there...
I hate any type of valet service. I'll happily set up my own gear, thanks. How much attention to detail will someone bring who has just checked a boat full of dive gear and does that day in day out and nothing ever goes wrong....until it does.
A buddy check doesn't mean someone is touching your equipment, and it doesn't need to be long. Check for yourself while watching each other. As someone else said, it's really the essentials: air, BCD inflation, weights. And communicate the dive plan and basic hand signals. This would avoid for example the confusion about 5m NDL from the initial post. This takes a few minutes and could potentially save a life. Zero valid reason not to do it. The thing is everyone feels like the safest diver and nothing ever went wrong. Those on that DAN list of fatalities probably thought the same, though...
I hate any type of valet service. I'll happily set up my own gear, thanks. How much attention to detail will someone bring who has just checked a boat full of dive gear and does that day in day out and nothing ever goes wrong....until it does.
A buddy check doesn't mean someone is touching your equipment, and it doesn't need to be long. Check for yourself while watching each other. As someone else said, it's really the essentials: air, BCD inflation, weights. And communicate the dive plan and basic hand signals. This would avoid for example the confusion about 5m NDL from the initial post. This takes a few minutes and could potentially save a life. Zero valid reason not to do it. The thing is everyone feels like the safest diver and nothing ever went wrong. Those on that DAN list of fatalities probably thought the same, though...
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