The buddy check happens before entering the water, setting the stage for a safer open water dive.

When is the buddy check performed?

• A. After entering the water
• B. Before entering the water
• C. During the descent
• D. During safety stops

Answer: (B)

The buddy check is performed before entering the water to ensure that both divers are properly equipped and ready for the dive. This pre-dive safety procedure is critical in establishing communication between buddies, confirming that all equipment is functioning correctly, and that each diver has completed the necessary safety checks. It is an opportunity for divers to assist each other in verifying their gear, and making sure that all safety protocols are followed before they begin their underwater adventure. This timing allows for any adjustments or corrections to be made without the added complexities of being submerged. Conducting the buddy check at this stage is essential for minimizing risks and enhancing safety during the dive itself.

Before you slip into the deep blue, there’s a simple ritual that makes all the difference: the buddy check. It’s not flashy or complicated, but it’s the kind of habit that keeps you and your buddy safe, happy, and able to focus on the moment you’re underwater together. If you’ve ever wondered exactly when to run this safety check, here’s the straight truth: you do it before entering the water.

Let me explain why this timing matters. You want to catch any issues while you’re still on the surface, where you can talk, adjust gear, and fix things without the added pressure of being buoyant, breathing through a regulator, or trying to remain still in a current. The water is not the place to discover that your spare O-ring is missing or your inflator hose is kinked. By doing the buddy check on the surface, you give yourselves a clean slate to address problems, fine-tune weights, and agree on hand signals—before you take your first breath submerged. It’s a practical, shared routine that anchors communication and trust between divers.

What exactly gets checked? The classic checklist—often referred to in diving circles as the BWRAF-style sequence—covers key gear and a quick safety recap. Here’s how it typically plays out, in plain language you can actually remember when the moment matters.

• B for BCD and Buoyancy

• Is the buoyancy compensator jacket secure and free of leaks?

• Can you inflate it smoothly, and does it hold air without letting out air on its own?

• Are the inflator hose and dump valves working, with no obvious scuffs or corrosion?

• W for Weights

• Are the weight pockets firmly in place and clipped? No loose weights rattling around.

• Do you and your buddy have the right amount of ballast so you’ll be neutrally buoyant at the same time?

• R for Releases

• Are the quick-release buckles in good shape and easy to operate?

• Are the hose clips and dry suit zippers secure? It’s the little things that trip you up later.

• A for Air (the big one)

• Have you checked both regulators? One for you, one for your buddy, and a spare in case of emergency.

• Do you both test the purge and confirm steady air flow?

• Is the submersible pressure gauge or the computer accessible and set to your plan?

• Is the alternate air source (the buddy’s octopus) ready and within easy reach?

• F for Final Check

• Do you and your buddy confirm each other’s gear is comfortable and secure?

• Are signals and communication methods agreed on? You’ll use hands and light signals as you descend, and you want to be on the same page from the first shallow breath.

• Is there a quick mental plan for what you’ll do if something unexpected comes up?

That final “F” isn’t just a shrug. It’s a moment to pause, look at each other, and say, “We’re ready.” It’s practical, it’s practical, it’s practical—and yes, it’s a touch ceremonial, which helps your brain switch from “surface mode” to “underwater mode.”

How the surface routine unfolds matters almost as much as the list itself. You’ll usually run this check with your buddy in the shallow area, sitting on the edge of a platform or just in the shallows where the water barely laps at your ankles. It’s casual but important. You’re not only validating gear; you’re confirming your partner can communicate when you need help, and you’re signaling that you’re in this together, side by side. That shared moment is what makes the rest of the dive feel safer and more predictable.

Here are a few practical pointers that help the process stay smooth, even if you’re a new buddy or you’re pairing with someone you haven’t trained with before.

• Keep it short, keep it sweet. The goal isn’t to turn the water into a classroom. You want a quick, efficient exchange that you can repeat in any environment—be it a busy shore, a windy pier, or a calm reef flat.

• Use standard signals. If one of you isn’t comfortable with a particular gesture, fix it now. Agree on a couple of simple hand signals for emergencies, air checks, and “OK” versus “I need help.”

• Do it together, not in isolation. The buddy check isn’t a solo task. You’re validating each other’s gear, communication, and readiness. If one of you spots something off, address it immediately before the water calls to you.

• Practice makes flow. The more you run this on the surface, the more automatic it becomes. Your brain starts wiring the steps so they feel almost automatic when you’re concentrating on depth, current, or your environment.

A few common snags can throw a wrench into the best-laid plan, but they’re almost always fixable with a quick adjustment on the surface. Here are some typical hiccups and easy fixes:

• A regulator feels stiff or won’t purge smoothly. Check the mouthpiece for a loose mouth, re-seat the regulator, and purge again. If it still feels off, switch to the other regulator and note the issue for your buddy or instructor.

• The BCD inflates or deflates unevenly. Make sure the inflator hose is firmly attached, no kinks in the line, and that the dump valves open fully. If air leaks, isolate the leak and troubleshoot with your buddy or a qualified tech after the session.

• Weights shift or pockets rattle. Re-secure pockets, ensure weights click into place, and check that the weight belt or integrated weight system is snug but comfortable. You want stable trim, not a workout trying to keep your center of gravity.

• The buddy’s gear looks unfamiliar or suspicious. Don’t shrug it off as a minor issue. Confirm it’s clean, dry, and functioning. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to pause and get it checked than to chase trouble later.

As you gain experience, you’ll notice that the buddy check isn’t just a checklist; it’s a habit that anchors your entire dive. It’s the moment you shift from morning jitters to underwater confidence. And yes, there will be days when the water is glassy and simple, and days when currents push a little harder. The routine doesn’t vanish in either case. It adapts, it stays practical, and it keeps you focused on the big picture: you’re responsible not just for yourself, but for your buddy, too.

If you’re curious about how this fits into the broader world of open-water training, think of the buddy check as the first chapter in a longer story about preparedness. It’s the bridge between surface safety and the underwater experience you’ve trained for. It’s part of the culture of responsible diving—an unspoken promise that you’re not going it alone. And there’s something reassuring about that, isn’t there? Knowing you have a partner who’s as committed to safety as you are can make all the difference when you’re drifting along a reef, eye to eye with a curious parrotfish or watching a pelagic pass by in the blue.

Let’s step back for a moment and connect this to real-life gear we see around the water world. Brands like Mares, Aqua Lung, and Scubapro aren’t just logos on equipment; they’re a reminder that design and reliability matter. When you’re checking a BCD or testing an inflator, you’re validating components that have carried divers through countless oceans, lakes, and cenotes. The same idea applies to your buddy’s setup. If there’s a nagging doubt about a hose, a clip, or a strap, it’s not a sign of weakness to pause and recheck—it’s a sign of wisdom.

One more thing worth noting: the exact steps you use can vary slightly from one training group to another. That’s not a sign of inconsistency; it’s a reflection of different instructors’ preferences and different environments. The core principle remains the same: do the check on the surface, verify that both divers are ready, and establish clear communication before any breath is taken underwater. If you ever find yourself in a new group or a new location, ask about the local routine. You’ll likely discover a few small twists that make sense in that setting, and you’ll add them to your own habit repertoire.

So, to answer the question plainly: the buddy check is performed before entering the water. It sounds almost too simple to matter, but that surface moment is where safety, teamwork, and confidence begin. It’s the little ritual that pays off when you’re deeper, in the middle of a swim, or sharing a passing moment with a curious reef creature. It’s a simple act with outsized impact, a quiet promise you and your buddy make to look out for one another.

If you’re ever tempted to skip it, pause. Take a breath. And remember: a few minutes on the surface can save you hours of worry later. The water will still be there when you’re ready, but you’ll be there for it—together, well-equipped, and ready to enjoy everything that underwater world has to offer. That’s the heart of safe, enjoyable diving, and it starts with a single, deliberate Step: the buddy check, performed before you enter.