What to do if you lose your buddy on a deep dive???

[alpaj]

Like other people have pointed out, the one minute rule makes sense in the case that both buddies are OK and now looking for each other. If you both start searching endlessly then the chances of not finding each other are much higher. Search for a minute and find each other at the surface is the solution that makes sense to this problem. BUT this is a solution to a problem which shouldn't exist in the first place!!! If the buddies simply "lost" each other then their buddy skills aren't good enough. What's the point of having your buddy, if you may just loose him. So with my buddy who I know and trust, I know if they are not there, they must have a serious problem. Now in this situtation I'm going to have to assume that they either headed for the surface (example we are on a 40 ft and there was an imediate OOA) or that they are in some deep shiat on the ground somewhere like entangled hopelessly. Sooo I'm going to be inclined to look for them a little longer because if they are at the surface there is a much higher chance that they can manage themselves. If they are entangled hopelessly they are going to need someones help ASAP. If you are doing a shore dive and head to the surface and leave them entangled they are most likely dead. Even if you get a search going. On a boat the response time could be much quicker. Communication of course is important and my buddy knows that what I have described above is the plan. If we are diving in 2 ft. vis we will adjust our buddy skills to suit the situation. Having good buddy skills is the problem here.

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

Admitting that I did not read all of the posts...

How is the visibility where you are diving? What are the conditions at 110' feet? Large coral heads or other obstructions?

If you have good vis but obstructions, I would think that ascending above the obstructions would allow you to either see your buddy or see where the other bubbles are coming from.

If you are diving in a low vis area, this sort of thing should be discussed prior to getting in the water, although the discussion would probably be just as applicable for a dive at high noon in the tropics.

Banging on your tank might also alert your buddy that he is "lost".

 

[Cacia]

I never think about the banging thing....that is a good tip to work into your seperation plan. (does it attract...large fish?)

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

I never think about the banging thing....that is a good tip to work into your seperation plan. (does it attract...large fish?)

Not sure why banging would attract "large fish" - I don't believe metal is food for many animals.

 

[DivePartner1]

If you're going to find your buddy, chances are it'll be within a minute. Searching longer doesn't usually increase your chances of finding your buddy. If you both surface, you can find each other on the surface.

On a deep dive, you've often gone down a line. Go back to the up line instead of surfacing. If you both go back to the up line, you'll find each other there.

When you make your search, don't look for your buddy, look for traces of your buddy - bubbles, silt, etc. In good viz, ascend 10 or 15 feet and circle, you'll have a better chance of seeing traces, if you don't ascend, you could easily miss your buddy just on the other side of a coral head.

If you were ahead of you buddy when you last saw him, head back to where you last saw him. If you were behind, head in the direction he was going. Depending on the situation, you may want to extend the search time. Use common sense.

I used to be surprised how often that common sense evades random Insta-buddies (as they sprint into the deep as fast as they can, without looking back).

A checklist like this could be worth keeping around to share so they'll know what is expected of them.

 

[Footslogger]

Don't do deep diving any more ...but when I did and the vis was questionable we always wore 12 - 15 foot wrist tethers. I realize that this is a bit "after the fact" if the buddy has already been lost, but that's one way to avoid it happening in the future.

'Slogger

 

[H2Andy]

I used to be surprised how often that common sense evades random Insta-buddies (as they sprint into the deep as fast as they can, without looking back).

that's why i use the Insta-Buddy Zap-O-Matic

it attaches to the insta-buddy's tank via magnet. it is the size of a quarter, and
thus impossible to detect, and it zaps the insta-buddy if they ever stray
over a certain distance from you. The zap can also be administered by
pushing a button.

it has three settings:

--Tough Love: a gentle zap. insta-buddy will stop to figure things out,
giving you time to catch up. recommended setting.

--You will be assimilated: zap is strong enough for buddy to realize they are
at your mercy. zap them a few times to get the point accross: "We do it my way, or you gonna be in constant payne."

--Kamikaze: the zap is strong enough to incapacitate. use only to save
insta-buddy from him or herself in extreme circumstances. suggested uses:
insta-buddy is about to stick his/her hand into a moray eel's cave

 

[DivePartner1]

that's why i use the Insta-Buddy Zap-O-Matic

it attaches to the insta-buddy's tank via magnet. it is the size of a quarter, and
thus impossible to detect, and it zaps the insta-buddy if they ever stray
over a certain distance from you. The zap can also be administered by
pushing a button.

it has three settings:

--Tough Love: a gentle zap. insta-buddy will stop to figure things out,
giving you time to catch up. recommended setting.

--You will be assimilated: zap is strong enough for buddy to realize they are
at your mercy. zap them a few times to get the point accross: "We do it my way, or you gonna be in constant payne."

--Kamikaze: the zap is strong enough to incapacitate. use only to save
insta-buddy from him or herself in extreme circumstances. suggested uses:
insta-buddy is about to stick his/her hand into a moray eel's cave

Where do I get one? How long is the cord?

 

[H2Andy]

How long is the cord?

the beauty of this is that it's remote-controlled. the zapper has a range
of 100 yards.

:14:

 

[Walter]

Mail order?