Why you should perform a buddy check before every water entry

How often should a diver perform a buddy check before a dive?

• A. Before every dive
• B. Only for deep dives
• C. Once a month
• D. Only if equipment changes

Answer: (A)

A buddy check should be performed before every dive as it enhances safety and ensures that both divers are properly equipped and ready for the dive. This practice allows divers to verify each other's gear, air supply, and emergency equipment before entering the water. By conducting a thorough buddy check each time, divers can minimize the risk of equipment failures or oversights that could jeopardize their safety underwater. Regular checks help reinforce communication between partners and build trust, which is vital for effective teamwork during dives. Making this a standard practice regardless of the dive type or frequency helps to establish consistent safety measures among all divers.

Title: The One Habit That Keeps You Safe: Do This Before Every Underwater Outing

Let me tell you a quick truth about safety in the open water: it isn’t about luck. It’s about habits. The simplest, most powerful habit is a buddy check that happens before every underwater outing. Not sometimes. Not when you’re feeling rushed. Before each time you slip into your gear and enter the water.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your team tight, your equipment reliable, and your mind focused, this is as close to a golden rule as it gets. It’s not flashy. It’s not dramatic. It’s just smart. And yes, it’s the standard you’ll hear echoed in IANTD circles and among seasoned teams who know that good safety starts with a quick, thorough check between partners.

Why this really matters

Think of a buddy check as a tiny, practical ritual that pays off big when the clock is ticking and the water’s calling. Here are a few reasons why doing the check before every underwater outing is worth it:

• It catches problems you can’t see from your own perspective. A loose hose, a missing clip, or a regulator that’s not seated properly might be invisible to you alone—you and your buddy will spot it together.

• It builds trust and communication. You confirm air, gear, and emergency gear, then you hear your partner confirm theirs. That back-and-forth signals you’re in it together—literally.

• It reduces the odds of equipment surprises. Even small issues, like a valve not fully open or a stray fin strap, can become big headaches when you’re at depth and counting on your gear.

• It reinforces a standard language. Phrases like “Valve on? Reg in mouth? Air good?” become a shared vocabulary you can lean on when visibility drops or conditions shift.

• It becomes second nature. The more you do it, the less you think about the process and more you can focus on the moment, your buddy, and the scenery around you.

What goes into a buddy check (the practical steps)

In the world of IANTD Open Water Diver training, many teams use a simple, memorable checklist that keeps the heart of the process clear: BWRAF. It stands for BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK. It’s easy to memorize, quick to run, and thorough enough to catch the common issues that trip divers up.

Here’s how it plays out in a typical underwater outing:

• B – BCD and inflator: Your buddy helps you confirm the buoyancy control device is in place, the inflator and purge are working, and the tank is secure. A quick squeeze of the inflator hose and a look at the backup options can prevent post-entry surprises.

• W – Weights: Make sure your weight belt or integrated weights are snug and secure. In calm water, you might barely notice, but when you’re swimming against a current or when you need to stay stable at the surface, loose weights aren’t just inconvenient—they’re dangerous.

• R – Releases: Check the quick-release buckles, harness straps, and anything that could shift while you’re moving. The goal here isn’t nitpicking but confirming nothing is in danger of coming loose—especially important if you’re sharing gear or adjusting during the ascent.

• A – Air: This is where you and your buddy verify air sources. Check your SPG or air gauge, confirm your buddy’s regulator is seated and functioning, and that the other person can see your gauge as well. Don’t forget to check the secondary regulator and alternate air source if you’ve got one.

• F – Final OK: The last step is a clear signal to each other that everything is ready. A simple thumbs-up or a nod works, but make sure you both use the same cue. If something isn’t right, you address it now, not after you’re in the water.

If you’re more comfortable with a shorter version, you’ll hear some teams call it BWROA (We can adapt the last letter to reflect the final “OK” or the final checks). The core idea is the same: run through gear, air, and readiness together so you enter the water as a team rather than two individuals rushing toward the same problem.

Putting the habit into daily routine

Habits stick when they’re tied to real-life rhythm. If you’re new to this, try weaving the buddy check into a conversation you’d have anyway with your partner. A few tips to keep it smooth:

• Do it the moment you meet on the surface. Don’t wait for the last minute; start the exchange while you’re still dry. It buys you time and reduces pressure.

• Pair it with a pre-brief. A quick on-board talk about the plan for the outing makes the check feel natural rather than an add-on.

• Use a physical cue. A light tug on a sleeve or a tap on a knee can cue your buddy to step into the BWRAF sequence without breaking focus.

• Keep it flexible. If you’re with the same buddy all season, you’ll develop a cadence that fits your style. If you’re with a new buddy, you’ll learn to adapt quickly and still cover the essentials.

• Practice the calm voice. In the water, stress can spike, so sticking to concise, calm confirmations helps everyone stay aligned.

Common slips that sneak in (and how to avoid them)

We all know life gets busy. Here are a few traps people fall into, plus simple fixes:

• Rushing through the check when you’re pressed for time. The fix: allocate a deliberate minute for the BWRAF sequence, even if the site looks easy. It saves you far more than that minute costs you.

• Skipping the “final OK” because you both assume the other person is fine. The fix: insist on the final signal every time, even if you’ve done a dozen outings together. Assumptions kill safety.

• Hanging on to a bad habit from another group or instructor. The fix: stick to the agreed-upon workflow you learned in your training and gently correct peers who drift.

• Changes in gear aren’t reflected in the routine. The fix: treat any equipment change as a new setup requiring a fresh check. A different regulator or a new camera rig deserves a careful look.

• Inconsistent communication signals. The fix: pick a standard sign for “all clear” and practice using it until it’s automatic.

A quick, practical on-site checklist you can tuck away

• Confirm partner’s BC and inflator function (press-and-seal to ensure no leaks).

• Ensure weights fit snugly and won’t shift during movement.

• Check all releases and buckles for secure attachment.

• Verify air levels on both sides and confirm the regulator(s) work from the first stage and backup from the second stage.

• Agree on a clear final OK to avoid mixed signals.

If you want to keep it ultra-simple, memorize the essence: gear, ballast, fasteners, air, and a united go-ahead. It’s enough to keep you safe while you focus on what really matters—the experience, the moment, and the teamwork that makes every outing memorable.

A quick word on gear ethics and teamwork

Safety isn’t a single action; it’s a pattern you carry with you. The buddy check is the most practical expression of that pattern. When you do it consistently, you turn a trip into a shared responsibility rather than a solo mission with a buddy tag.

If you’re exploring IANTD Open Water Diver training materials or talking with instructors, you’ll hear this idea echoed with a sense of calm. The water is inviting, but it’s not forgiving. A good buddy check helps you keep the invite friendly, the pace steady, and the teamwork intact.

Experiential touchstones from the water

Think of a moment when a misaligned mask strap would have caused a stale second of panic, or when a regulator wasn’t fully seated but you caught it in the nick of time. In those moments, the check isn’t a formality; it’s a shield. It’s the difference between stepping into a calm surface and stepping into a swirl of uncertain currents.

If you’re a new student, you might be surprised how quickly this becomes second nature. If you’ve logged a few seasons, you’ll know the joy of entering the water with a partner who says, with a confident nod, “All set.” That simple exchange signals you’re built to work as a unit, not as two independent travelers in the same blue space.

Closing thoughts: Before every underwater outing

The rule is simple, but powerful: do a buddy check before every underwater outing. It’s the clean, practical routine that protects you, your partner, and the gear you trust. It makes your adventures safer, more predictable, and a lot more enjoyable.

So next time you strengthen your seal on the tank, as you slip into your wetsuit, take a moment with your buddy. Run through BWRAF. Confirm the air. Check the buckles. And when you both signal that you’re ready, you’ll be stepping into the water not with hesitation, but with confidence—together.

If you’ve got a favorite tweak to your pre-water ritual or a small story from a recent outing where the buddy check made a difference, share it. The more we learn from one another, the safer we all become, one underscored yes at a time.