When did you learn Buddy Breathing

[Darnold9999]

NAUI Scuba Diver course in 79. Part of a University sponsored course. Not sure of the year could have been 78.

Was really part of the "get comfortable under water without a source of air in your mouth" training. We did buddy breathing in teams of two, then three, and then teams of four, (didn't work well with four the wait was at the edge of our comfort level but it was fun to try), swimming across the pool, on demand while doing other things.

Have never ever used the skill, however have used the "get comfortable under water without a source of air in your mouth" quite a bit over the years.

 

[dolesorchard]

Naui '74

 

[101recon]

NASDS OW 1971.

Any skill that has the diver taking the reg out of their mouth is a good one, IMHO. There is a confidence building factor in buddy breathing successfully. It makes handing off a secondary (or primary with a back-up) reg seem like a piece of cake.

Buddy breathing is fun, reinforces a positive emergence memory of having the reg out of your mouth, and builds confidence. I can't imagine how, but it just might come in handy some day.

I agree completely.

taught in OW class, PADI, 1/2010.
instructer said something about it being optinal in the book, but not in his class.

My instructor was the same way and I don't remember how he worded it either.But it was clear to me that he wanted us to become confident with it.

We practiced BB and surfacing in the pool until comfortable and did it on our first check out dive.We practiced reg recovery and breathing with a free flow as well.Now that I look back we spent a lot of time with our reg out of our mouths.I even kind of liked the free flow drills.
I'm glad that he taught me the skills whether they were required or not.I learned to be comfortable with my reg out of my mouth.To me,this adds to my sense of security and
enjoyment while diving in a normal situation.

Like everyone else,I hope the skills are never needed.Advancements in gear and technology may render them useless.I won't enter the debate as to if the skills should be taught or not,but I personally feel that my diving and training so far has been easier because of the knowledge.

 

[Greybeard47]

I was taught and we practiced it during my OW.
I hope I never have to use it, but I'm glad i know how. I had a great instructor in Jamaica.

 

[Splitlip]

I just looked at my YMCA card and it says Open Water Diver. It's a replacement card. It doesn't have a replacement date, just an issue date of 9/72. I got the replacement some time in the 90's

My naui card is a replacement.

Says "Open Water I, Scuba Diver". Don't know what it was called originally.

 

[drbill]

When I got certified... about 8 years after I actually started diving.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

NAUI OW on platform with ascent. TDI Deco blacked out, hover and traveling, short hose, long hose and deco bottle.

Let me add that while some feel that two failures on one dive is nigh on impossible, I know that I've practiced the unforeseen under stress. Every time I hear of organizations reducing training that could prevent injury I wonder what the true motive is. I don't care to "what if" the subject to death but what is gained by not teaching such skills?

 

[vladimir]

I don't care to "what if" the subject to death but what is gained by not teaching such skills?

There is some small but non-zero risk associated with thousands of dive students of varying ability buddy breathing under the supervision of hundreds of instructors, also of varying ability. The trend towards training students who, on average, are less and less capable and comfortable in the water can only enhance that risk.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

There is some small but non-zero risk associated with thousands of dive students of varying ability buddy breathing under the supervision of hundreds of instructors, also of varying ability. The trend towards training students who, on average, are less and less capable and comfortable in the water can only enhance that risk.

So let me get this straight, you believe that divers and instructors that are less and less capable and comfortable in the water will benefit from less training, or is that just what you have observed?

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

Even if we disregard the obvious benefits of BB we are still left with the fact that the diver has improved confidence in dealing with stress and the ability to work as a team member when the skill is taught. We gain nearly nothing by omitting it.