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The SMB signals that you are coming up and anyone at the surface who might be looking for you should notice it, including your dive buddy. These visual markers help you orientate yourself underwater. Make sure you both take the necessary precautions for low visibility diving such as using an SMB or ascension line since this is one of the causes of buddy separation. The ascend may give you a better overview of the area so you might spot your buddy easier. Overall, 1 minute is the most commonly recommended amount of time to spend doing your rotation.Īfter this minute, begin your regular ascension process and repeating the 1-minute turn with noise and light at every safety stop. This is a step where there is some variance because the suggested amount of time waiting time differs. For example, tapping a pointer on your air tank or an audio buddy signaling device. There are several options to make a sound underwater so you can use whatever you have on hand. Flicker with your dive light as you are making your turn so that it creates a noticeable pattern, even for divers that are not necessarily looking for a signal. There are two ways to draw attention underwater light and sound. After all, you should have agreed on what to do in case of separation beforehand so your buddy is likely going through the same steps as you. Use Tools That Draw AttentionĮven if you might not spot your buddy, your buddy might spot you. Even if you might not see them in entirety, air bubbles are a good indication of the general direction.
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This angle might also give you a view behind any underwater feature like big rocks or a sunken ship.
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Make a slow 360° turn and as you are turning around slowly, remember to look upwards and downwards to check whether your buddy has ascended or descended. Whenever possible, get into an upright position with neutral buoyancy. StopĪs soon as you notice that you cannot see your dive buddy, stop where you are. There might be some variation, depending on your dive center, but most instructors can agree with the following measures to take when separated from your dive buddy. What To Do if You Experience Dive Buddy SeparationĮvery diver should be familiar with the advised steps for buddy separation and both buddies should discuss and agree upon the steps before getting into the water. What To Do if You Experience Dive Buddy Separation.
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