The Dive Otter

Different Types of Buddy Checks

[ Wikipedia | PADI | SDI ]

There are basically 2 types of "buddy checks" that are taught: Is there a middle ground between the two which is more effective than BWARF/ABCDE and less extensive as GUE-EDGE? I think there is.


BWARF or ABCDE

BWARF, or some type of model like it, is what virtually everyone was trained on and virtually nobody uses (unfortunately). It stands for:
BCD or BuoyancyDoes your buddy have their BCD setup correctly?
WeightsDoes your buddy have their weights in?
AirDo you/your buddy have their air on, do the regulators work is the PSI as expected?
ReleasesDo you know how to operate your buddies BCD and drop weight 'releases'
Final OKAre they ready to go?

Some agencies teach ABCDE for both you and/or your buddy:
AirDo you/your buddy have their air on, do the regulators work is the PSI as expected?
BCDDo you/your buddy have a working BCD inflate/deflate? Do you know how to use the various releases?
ComputerDo you/your buddy have their computer on and has it been configured correctly for the gas being dove?
Dive equipmentDo you/your buddy have all the equipment they need like fins and mask?
Enter the waterGo ahead and enter the water



GUE-EDGE

We have a full deep dive on GUE-EDGE however the basics are:

G.oals (objective, specific tasks)
U.nified Team (roles, duties, formation)
E.quipment
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E.xposure (time/depth)
D.ecompression (ascent profile)
G.as (Minimum Gas and Usable Gas Strategies)
E.nvironment