A calm assessment followed by physical assistance is the safest response when a diver is in distress.

What is required for a diver to assist another diver in distress?

• A. A calm assessment of the situation and physical assistance
• B. Immediate rescue without assessing the situation
• C. Using underwater signals without communication
• D. Waiting until help arrives from instructors

Answer: (A)

To assist another diver in distress effectively, a calm assessment of the situation followed by physical assistance is essential. This approach ensures that the rescuer can evaluate the severity of the distress and make informed decisions about how to provide appropriate help. A thorough assessment allows the diver to identify any immediate hazards, such as entanglements or rapid ascents, and understand the needs of the distressed diver. In contrast, rushing to the rescue without assessing the situation can lead to further complications, potentially endangering both divers. Communication is vital in a rescue scenario, and using underwater signals effectively helps in coordinating the rescue effort rather than relying solely on physical actions. Moreover, waiting for help from instructors without making an initial assessment might delay necessary assistance and could worsen the situation for the diver in distress. Therefore, the best practice involves a calm evaluation followed by appropriate actions, making the first response as safe and effective as possible.

When something goes wrong underwater, the first instinct isn’t to act fast for the sake of speed. It’s to act smart. And the smartest, safest way to help a buddy in distress starts with one simple rule: stay calm, assess the situation, then offer appropriate physical assistance. That likely sounds a lot like common sense, but in the pressure of a real moment, calm assessment is the difference between a smooth rescue and a bigger mess.

Let me explain why this approach matters so much, and how you can apply it without turning rescue work into a chaotic scramble.

A clear-headed first move: calm assessment, then help

The scenario is real, and it’s easy to feel the adrenaline spike when your partner is signaling trouble. The correct response isn’t to rush in with reckless heroics. It’s to pause, check your own buoyancy, scan the surroundings for hazards, and decide what kind of help is actually needed.

Think of it like fixing a snag in a hose. If you yank on it blindly, you could rupture the connection or release air you still need. But if you take a breath, identify the problem, and then apply the right fix, you stop the leak without creating new ones. In the water, that “fix” might be simply providing buoyant support, guiding your buddy to a safer position, or delivering just enough assistance to manage the situation without making things worse.

What not to do in a distress moment

There are a few common missteps that can derail a rescue fast. Understanding them helps you avoid them when it counts.

• Don’t rush in without a read on the scene. A hasty grab can tangle you with entanglements, cause an uncontrolled ascent, or push your buddy past their limits.

• Don’t skip communication. The noise of the water makes nonverbal signals essential, but they work best when you’re both on the same page.

• Don’t wait for a perfect moment or for instructors to swoop in. Help arrives in many forms, but you don’t want to delay a real danger while you “wait for a cue.”

• Don’t remove a regulator or snap the other diver’s gear off. Stabilizing the situation often means keeping the equipment in place while you work out the next step.

If you’re reading this as a student of open water training, you’ve probably heard the rules about buddy teamwork and signaling. The core idea isn’t fancy—it’s about making the right move at the right time, with clear communication, and staying in control of your own buoyancy while you help your partner.

A practical, step-by-step response you can draw on

Below is a simple, real-world sequence you can use as a mental checklist. It’s designed to be easy to remember and apply, even when the water isn’t cooperative.

• Stop, breathe, and scan

• Pause your own movements to gauge depth, currents, and proximity to hazards.

• Check your buddy’s breathing pattern, movement, and comfort level.

• Look for hazards around you: entanglement lines, fishing gear, sharp coral, or a rapid ascent path toward the surface.

• Communicate with your partner and your team

• Use underwater signals so your partner knows you’re seeing the issue and planning how to help.

• Confirm who is supervising or who should be alerted on the surface once you’ve stabilized the situation.

• If you’re with a buddy team, coordinate a shared plan so you don’t duplicate actions or step on each other’s toes.

• Verify readiness and provide supportive contact

• Establish neutral buoyancy and secure a stable position for both divers.

• If your buddy is in contact with their regulator, hold a stable grip or support so their air supply isn’t disrupted.

• Check for entanglements and gently release any obstruction if it’s safe to do so.

• Apply the right form of assistance

• If the diver is simply fatigued or uncomfortable, supportive contact and steadying guidance can be enough to get them back to a comfortable position.

• If the diver is struggling with air or buoyancy, help them to a safer depth, raise them toward a better current, or escort them to a safer area where they can regain control.

• If there’s a more serious issue and you’re trained to manage it, follow your protocol for that scenario, which may include signaling the surface, setting up a controlled ascent, or maneuvering the pair to safety with a buddy line.

• Monitor, debrief, and prepare for the next step

• Keep observing your partner’s breathing and responsiveness as you move toward safety.

• Once on the surface or at a safe depth, do a quick post-event check: how’s their oxygen intake, are they calm, do they have any symptoms to report?

• Afterward, review what happened with your buddy and your team. Quick reflection helps everyone improve and stay safer next time.

Why a calm, methodical approach makes sense on the open water

The water doesn’t forgive hurry. When you slow down to assess, you reduce the risk of splashing your buddy with the very problems you’re trying to solve. A thoughtful, measured approach helps you pick the correct kind of support—whether you’re stabilizing buoyancy, guiding someone toward a safer area, or orchestrating a controlled ascent with surface support.

And there’s a social side to it, too. Communication isn’t just a set of signals; it’s trust. When you use signals well and make your plan explicit, you’re not just moving bodies—you’re coordinating minds and skills. The result is a rescue that feels like a well-rehearsed routine rather than a chaotic scramble.

A note on gear and training

The right response is built on solid training and familiarity with your equipment. Here are a few aspects that frequently show up in real-world readiness:

• Buoyancy control: You’ll want to be able to stay neutrally buoyant so you don’t accidentally push a distressed diver deeper or closer to a hazard.

• Signaling proficiency: Hand signals, light taps, or rope signals all have a place. The key is that everyone involved understands them instantly.

• Gear checks and ergonomic handling: Being accustomed to how you and your buddy carry regulators, fins, and other gear makes it easier to manage a rescue without adding risk.

• Clear role assignment: In many open water environments, teams practice specific roles (team lead, incident communicator, safety observer). Knowing who does what keeps the operation smooth.

Stories from the water that echo the principle

Think about a time you watched a buddy respond to a minor snag—how they paused, checked the surroundings, then carefully helped their partner regain comfort. It wasn’t about heroic bravado; it was about calm, competent action. The best rescues you remember aren’t the loudest; they’re the ones that feel almost inevitable, because each step is done with quiet confidence and a clear plan.

The practical takeaway for every open water enthusiast

If you’re in the water with a buddy, the moment something feels off is the moment to rely on a calm, measured approach. Assess first, act second. Use underwater signals to coordinate, protect your own safety as you help, and escalate if needed with surface support. Above all, remember that safety isn’t a dramatic moment—it’s the sum of careful choices made in the heat of the moment.

A closing thought: stay curious and prepared

Diving—or any open water activity—is a blend of adventure and responsibility. You’ll never be perfect every time, but you can be prepared. Keep practicing buoyancy control, signaling, and rescue basics with your teammates. The more you rehearse the fundamentals, the more natural they become when something goes wrong. And when that happens, you’ll be steadier, quicker, and more effective at helping a buddy find their way back to safety.

If you ever find yourself in a distress scenario, the most important thing you can bring ashore with you is a calm mind and a clear plan. The water tests us all, but by sticking to a calm assessment followed by appropriate support, you give your fellow divers the best chance to come through unscathed—and you reinforce a culture of care that makes every dive safer for everyone in your group.