Considerations for Retailers, Resorts, and Liveaboards in Buddy Pairings
For many of your customers, travel is one of the great rewards of being a diver. The prospect of diving beautiful reefs, historic shipwrecks, and exotic locations beckon divers from around the world. But your traveling customers face a unique challenge that local divers often do not: they frequently dive with a buddy they have never met before.
In local diving communities, buddy relationships develop over time. Divers learn each other’s habits, strengths, and limitations through repeated dives together. Traveling divers, by contrast, often meet their dive partner on a boat ride to the site or during a pre-dive briefing at the dive center. Yet the buddy system, one of the foundational safety principles of recreational scuba diving, depends on cooperation, communication, and mutual awareness. Creating a safe and enjoyable buddy relationship under these circumstances is not only possible, but it is essential. With the right mindset and a few deliberate steps, traveling divers can quickly build trust and teamwork with a new partner.
Diving with a companion you have never met before must be something you are comfortable with. If you, for whatever reason, feel uncomfortable diving with someone, you can and must either find another prospective diving companion or, as I’ve done on more than one occasion, simply choose not to dive and enjoy the boat ride. In my opinion, no diving experience is worth putting yourself at unnecessary risk.
In my 60+ years of recreational scuba diving, I have done quite a bit of dive travel. There are many occasions when I do not have the luxury of traveling with my favorite diving companion. In those cases, I have to be prepared to quickly develop a relationship with someone where I feel both comfortable and safe sharing the diving experience with them.
Situations like this involve what might be called the “instant buddy” phenomenon. Dive operators often take it upon themselves to pair individuals together when they arrive without a partner. Sometimes these pairings are random. Other times they are based on perceived experience level.
This situation may work well in many situations, but it also introduces a level of uncertainty that some divers, including myself, may find uncomfortable. I don’t know how many divers I’ve met who, when asked about their diving experience, respond, “I’ve been diving for 10 (or more) years!” Quite frankly, that means absolutely nothing to me.
Carrying a certification card in your wallet or purse for 10 years (or more) tells me nothing about your current experiences or ability as a safe diver or your approach to risk. Two divers with the same certification level may have very different attitudes towards things such as depth limits, breathing gas management, navigational abilities, proximity to each other while underwater, understanding of hand signals or acceptable levels of risk tolerance.
Without clear communication, these differences can create confusion, or worse, unsafe situations. Recognizing that this variability exists is the first step toward building an effective partnership.
The most important step in establishing a functional and safe buddy relationship happens before you ever enter the water. A short but intentional conversation can dramatically improve coordination during the dive. This conversation doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, a simple structure works best. It can start by simply learning a little about your buddy. How many dives have they done recently? Are they comfortable in the current conditions? Have they dived in similar environments before? Share your experiences and really listen to theirs. Be sure to also observe their body language.
A diver who does most of their diving in calm tropical water may have less experience with surge or strong currents. Another diver may have extensive experience but has not dived in several years. These factors matter, and they should influence how the dive is conducted.
Next, you can talk about the proposed dive plan. You have both heard details about the dive site and any limitations recommended by the divemaster or dive guide so now it’s time to take that information and develop a dive plan. The dive plan should give the greatest opportunity to fully enjoy the dive site while assuring that this dive is within the safe limits.
When you and your companion discuss your dive plan, you should both agree upon maximum diving depth, maximum planned bottom time, time or breathing gas pressure when you “turn” the dive and head back to the exit point, communication frequency during the dive and safety stop time and depth. You should also both have a shared understanding that either diver can call the dive at any time, for any reason, without discussion or repercussions.
This “no fault” approach to calling a dive an extremely important safety procedure. Agreeing on these parameters helps prevent or at least reduce the likelihood of serious misunderstandings once the dive begins. One area that requires constant vigilance and buddy communication is breathing gas management during the dive. Breathing gas management strategies can vary widely among divers. Some follow the classic “rule of thirds” philosophy where you use 1/3 of your breathing gas supply to go out, 1/3 of your breathing gas supply to return and the remaining 1/3 of your breathing gas supply as a reserve for emergencies. Other divers may use a simple minimum pressure or a “turn at half” strategy.
Be aware, however, that “turning” the dive at one-half means that you may have very little breathing gas remaining once you return to the planned exit point to complete a “safety stop” with the required amount of breathing gas remaining once you reach the surface or have breathing gas in reserve for any unexpected situations or emergencies.
Whatever approach you and your diving companion decide upon, both of you must fully agree to abide by it. If one diver expects to begin their ascent at 1,000 psi and the other at 500 psi, problems may arise. It is critical to have a shared understanding of all aspects of the dive plan to avoid any surprises underwater. Personally, I don’t like surprises, except perhaps the pleasant kind, underwater!
Many divers treat the buddy check as a formality. For some, it becomes a quick ritual performed seconds before entering the water. In my opinion, all divers, and especially traveling divers, should take a more deliberate approach. Remember, a proper buddy check accomplishes several goals. It confirms that equipment is functioning correctly, it familiarizes each diver with the other’s equipment configuration, and it firmly establishes a pattern of mutual awareness.
As I detailed in a previous article about checklists and pre-dive rituals (Scuba Diving Industry Magazine June 2025), a complete buddy check provides the opportunity to conduct a dynamic rehearsal reviewing how each buddy would manage an emergency procedure such as the exchange of breathing gas, how to locate and use the buddy’s BCD inflator or how to locate and jettison the buddy’s weights in an emergency. In addition, performing a thorough buddy check signals that you take safety seriously. That attitude often encourages your partner to do the same.
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Most divers learn a standard set of underwater hand signals during training. However, actual communication practices vary widely. Some dive operators rely heavily on tank-banging devices or lights. Others expect divers to maintain a very close proximity for visual signals. Before the dive, confirm and review some of the basic signals with your buddy:
- “Turn the dive”
- “Low on breathing gas”
- “Out of breathing gas”
- “Problem”
- “Ascend”
- “OK?” and “OK”
These signals may seem obvious, but agreeing on them eliminates uncertainty. Plus, I ask my diving companions if they have any “pet” or “regional” hand signals that I might not be aware of. You occasionally find that people who have spent most of their time diving with a particular buddy may have developed some variation of traditional hand signals that could cause some confusion.
It is also helpful to discuss how closely you intend to stay together underwater. One diver’s idea of “close” might be within arm’s reach; another may be comfortable at a distance of several meters. The distance between diving companions should be determined by how quickly you can reach that person if an emergency arises.
One of the most common sources of tension between dive buddies is differences in perceptions of risk. Some divers are naturally conservative. Others are comfortable pushing limits within the boundaries of their training or previous experience. For example, one diver might feel perfectly comfortable exploring a swim-through at 90 feet. Their buddy may prefer to remain outside. Neither perspective is inherently wrong. Problems arise, however, when these differences are not acknowledged. The solution to me is simple, I always respect the more conservative choice. If either diver is uncomfortable with an aspect of the dive, the plan should be adjusted. Diving is a recreational activity, not a competition. A dive that feels unsafe to one partner is unlikely to be enjoyable for either.
A good buddy relationship prioritizes shared comfort over personal ambition. The buddy system only works if buddies remain aware of each other. In practice, many dive separations occur because divers simply drift apart while focusing on marine life or photography. Traveling divers should make a conscious effort to maintain regular visual contact. A useful guideline is the “two-second rule.” If it takes more than two seconds to reach your buddy, you may be too far apart. Periodic checks are also important. Every 20 to 30 seconds, glance at your buddy to confirm that everything appears normal. This habit becomes especially important in low-visibility or high-current environments.
Safety is the primary purpose of the buddy system, but it also enhances the enjoyment of diving. A good buddy relationship allows divers to share discoveries. When one diver spots marine life or an interesting feature on the reef, you can signal your buddy. These shared moments transform the dive from an individual activity into a collaborative experience.
Dive travel often brings people together from different parts of the world. The buddy relationship can be a gateway to new friendships and shared adventures.
Even with careful preparation, problems can occur underwater. Equipment issues, disorientation, or unexpected environmental conditions may arise. When they do, a strong buddy relationship makes resolution much easier. Divers who have communicated clearly before the dive are more likely to respond calmly and effectively. They know how their partner signals distress, where their equipment is located, and what their ascent plan should be. Calm, coordinated action is often the difference between a manageable inconvenience and a stressful situation.
The buddy relationship really should not end when the dive does. A short conversation afterward can reinforce teamwork and improve future dives. Discuss what went well and whether anything could be done differently next time. Perhaps the pair drifted apart at one point, or one diver felt the descent was rushed. These discussions do not need to be critical or formal. Instead, they should be constructive and collaborative. For traveling divers who will continue diving together over several days, these conversations can quickly transform an “instant buddy” into a trusted partner.
Ultimately, the success of any buddy relationship depends less on technical skill and more on attitude. The best dive buddies share several qualities, including awareness of each other, willingness to communicate, respect for differing comfort levels, and a cooperative approach to problem-solving. Dive travel often requires flexibility. Conditions change, dive sites vary, and partners may have different backgrounds. Approaching each new buddy relationship with patience and openness creates an environment where safety and enjoyment naturally follow.
Scuba diving is unusual among recreational activities in that participants depend directly on one another for safety. The buddy system works best when both partners see themselves as members of a small team. For the traveling diver, that team may form in a matter of minutes. A thoughtful pre-dive conversation, a careful buddy check, clear communication, and mutual respect can transform two strangers into effective dive partners.
When that happens, the benefits extend beyond safety. The dive becomes richer, more relaxed, and more memorable. After all, the best dive stories are rarely about the equipment we used or the depth we reached. They are about the experiences we shared and the people who shared them with us beneath the surface.
Why Strong Buddy Teams Improve Guest Experience
The buddy system is often discussed primarily as a safety procedure, but it also plays an important role in the overall guest diver experience.
When divers feel comfortable with their diving companion, they are more relaxed underwater and more likely to enjoy the dive. They are also more likely to share discoveries, assist one another if needed, and maintain better situational and buddy awareness.
For dive operators, this often translates into smoother dive operations, fewer underwater separations, and guests who finish the dive feeling confident and supported.
Over the course of a multi-day trip, strong buddy relationships often develop into friendships that enhance the entire travel experience. Guests who feel safe and connected are also more likely to return and recommend the operation to others.
Managing the “Instant Buddy” on Dive Boats
One of the most common operational realities for dive operators is pairing divers who arrive without a partner. These “instant buddy” teams can work extremely well when properly supported, but they can also introduce uncertainty if expectations are not clearly established.
Dive staff can help reduce risk by taking a few moments before the dive to encourage buddy introductions and a quick exchange of experience levels. Divers should be encouraged to discuss recent dives, comfort level in the day’s conditions, and air consumption habits.
Operators should also remain aware that certification level alone does not tell the whole story. A diver who earned certification years ago but has not been active may require additional attention or a guided dive.
When staff actively support the buddy system instead of leaving pairings entirely to chance, the result is often safer dives and a more relaxed experience for guests.
Five Questions Operators Should Encourage Buddies to Ask
A short conversation between dive partners before entering the water can significantly reduce misunderstandings during the dive.
Dive professionals can prompt this discussion by encouraging buddies to ask each other:
• How many dives have you done recently?
• Have you dived in conditions like these before?
• What pressure or gas reserve do you prefer to end the dive with?
• How close do you prefer to stay to your buddy underwater?
• What signals will we use for “turn the dive” or “low on air”?
These questions take less than two minutes to answer but can prevent many of the small miscommunications that sometimes escalate into larger problems underwater.
A Simple Buddy Pairing Checklist for Dive Staff
When divers arrive without a partner, dive operators often need to quickly form buddy teams. A simple pairing process can improve both safety and guest satisfaction.
Before the dive:
• Confirm buddy assignments during the briefing
• Ask divers about their recent diving activity
• Consider pairing divers with similar experience and interests
• Encourage a short pre-dive buddy conversation
• Remind divers that either buddy can call the dive at any time
These steps help establish expectations early and encourage a collaborative mindset between dive partners.
Why Strong Buddy Teams Improve Guest Experience
The buddy system is often discussed primarily as a safety procedure, but it also plays an important role in the overall guest experience.
When divers feel comfortable with their partner, they are more relaxed underwater and more likely to enjoy the dive. They are also more likely to share discoveries, assist one another, and maintain better situational awareness.
For dive operators, this often translates into smoother dive operations, fewer underwater separations, and guests who finish the dive feeling confident and supported.
Over the course of a multi-day trip, strong buddy relationships often develop into friendships that enhance the entire travel experience. Guests who feel safe and connected are also more likely to return and recommend the operation to others.
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