Swim Formation - Buddy System

[Acer]

With all due respect to you tech three-buddy-teams, I really don't like three-person buddy teams.

--Marek

The first time I tried three buddy teaming, I hated it, too. Then we figured out how to handle it. Before the dive, we assign who keeps track of whom. X keeps track of Y, Y keeps track of Z, and Z keeps track of X. That way we don't each have to try to keep track of two people (near impossible). As long as each person has contact with his/her primary buddy, everyone is in touch.

That said, we only dive as a threesome if there's no other option. Pairs are simpler.

 

[lamont]

The first time I tried three buddy teaming, I hated it, too. Then we figured out how to handle it. Before the dive, we assign who keeps track of whom. X keeps track of Y, Y keeps track of Z, and Z keeps track of X. That way we don't each have to try to keep track of two people (near impossible).

with practice this gets a lot easier.

 

[Scuba Jerm]

I completely agree with the side by side thing. My wife and I tried the follow the leader technique at Catalina (those kelp forests are quite thick) and we nearly lost each other. I don't like to hold hands though cause it just screws things up for me, but by being side by side we were more able to see each other equally well, thus never getting too far out of sight.