Buddy Skills for Safer, More Confident Diving
These Buddy Skills guides focus on the teamwork that makes dives safer and smoother. They cover how to assign roles and responsibilities, maintain proper buddy positioning, and support new or nervous divers without adding stress. You’ll also learn how to mentor responsibly, handle a difficult buddy with safety and etiquette in mind, and adapt communication strategies for limited visibility so your team stays connected and in control underwater.
Finding a Buddy
Finding a dive buddy can be challenging, especially if none of your family or friends dive. So what is a person to do?
Roles & Responsibilities
Assigning roles before a dive reduces stress and prevents confusion. Key roles and a quick briefing keeps the team safe and coordinated.
Buddy Positioning
Buddy positioning is more than staying close; it is about depth, spacing, and contact. Learn how pairs, trios, and teams of four stay safe and in control.
New or Nervous Buddy
Diving with a nervous buddy takes patience. This guide shows how to set expectations, keep it simple, and build confidence.
Mentoring New Divers
Mentoring new divers works best with respect and timing. This guide shows when to help, how to offer support, and why leading by example matters most.
Handling Bad Buddy
A bad buddy is about attitude, not experience. This guide shows how to spot risky behavior, address it calmly, and know when not to dive with them.
Communication in Limited Vis
Limited visibility makes underwater teamwork harder. This guide explains using lights, tight positioning, and clear protocols to stay connected and safe.