How to perform a buddy check before diving is simple: inspect and operate each other’s life-support equipment together before you enter the water. A good buddy check before diving is hands-on, spoken aloud, and completed before masks go on or anyone gets rushed by the boat schedule. Slow down.
Many divers use the familiar BWRAF order: BCD, weights, releases, air, and final check. The letters matter less than a shared routine that confirms both divers can inflate, deflate, breathe from every regulator second stage, ditch weights if needed, and recognize where each critical item sits. Agree on the order first.
Why a buddy check matters
A buddy can spot a loose cylinder strap, a closed valve, or a misplaced alternate air source that you may miss while setting up your own kit. These are ordinary oversights. They become bigger problems once you are in deep water, wearing a hood, or dealing with current at a busy descent line.
The check also creates a quick equipment briefing between partners who may not dive together often. You should know which inflator feeds the BCD, how much weight each diver carries, where the alternate second stage is clipped, and how to release the weight system. Ask directly.
This is not a substitute for certified training, a predive safety briefing, or your own equipment knowledge. Your instructor’s taught procedure and your dive operator’s rules come first, especially if you use unfamiliar rental gear, sidemount, a drysuit, or an integrated weight system you have not used before.
How to perform a buddy check before diving step by step
Set up completely before starting, with cylinders secured and regulators connected. Stand where you can hear each other and avoid starting while crew members are moving tanks around you. Take one diver at a time.
- B is for BCD. Have your buddy inflate their BCD orally and with the low-pressure inflator, then hold it for a moment to check that it retains air. Test the deflator and each dump valve the diver expects to use, including a shoulder dump or rear dump if fitted. Air should release cleanly. Check that the corrugated hose is connected, the inflator button works, and the BCD is neither twisted nor trapped beneath a strap.
- W is for weights. Ask how much weight your buddy has and where it is carried. Physically locate every ditchable weight pocket, belt buckle, or harness release, then confirm which direction it pulls and whether anything blocks it. Try the release carefully. Re-secure it fully after the check, and make sure no loose weight can slide out during the walk or giant stride.
- R is for releases. Identify the BCD waist buckle, shoulder clips, chest strap if present, and cylinder band. Check the tank is snug by bracing the cylinder and gently moving it rather than yanking on the valve. A loose tank is a real nuisance. Also look for hoses routed under straps, dangling gauges, or an alternate air source hidden behind the diver’s body.
- A is for air. Confirm the cylinder valve is open and read the pressure gauge together. Then have your buddy breathe several slow breaths from the primary second stage while you watch the gauge. The needle should stay steady. A noticeable drop while breathing may mean the valve is not fully open or there is a supply issue, so stop and resolve it before the dive. Repeat with the alternate second stage.
- F is for final check. Confirm mask, fins, exposure protection, computer, compass if used, surface marker buoy if planned, and any required signaling device are present and accessible. Check that the computer is awake and set to the correct mode for the planned gas. Review entry method, maximum depth, turn pressure, ascent plan, and what you will do if separated.
Switch roles and repeat the full sequence. Do not let one diver simply watch while the other talks through their own gear. Each person should touch the relevant item on the other diver’s kit because that is how you learn its location under water.
A practical BWRAF check card
| Check | What to do | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| BCD | Inflate, deflate, test dumps | Inflator connection and dump-valve locations |
| Weights | Find and test ditchable releases | Amount carried and release direction |
| Releases | Check buckles, tank band, hose routing | How the kit comes off in an emergency |
| Air | Read pressure and breathe both second stages | Valve is open and both regulators deliver air |
| Final | Confirm plan and required accessories | Depth, gas plan, signals, separation procedure |
Use this as a prompt, not a script you rush through. If the charter uses a different mnemonic, use the operator’s routine as long as both divers still inspect the same essential systems. Consistency helps.
Details that often get missed
The cylinder valve deserves more than a quick glance. A valve can look open while it is only partially opened, which is why breathing from the regulator while watching the gauge is useful. Check both second stages. Your alternate may be the one a buddy needs.
Weight-system releases also deserve extra attention because designs differ. Integrated pockets may pull straight out, down, or sideways, while a traditional belt normally has a quick-release buckle. Do not assume. If you cannot explain your buddy’s release with gloves on, ask them to show you again.
Look at the alternate air source attachment point. It should be easy for either diver to find, reach, and return after use without dragging through sand or hanging below the diver’s knees. A clipped octopus is better than an invisible one.
Finally, check the small items that affect the actual plan. If the dive needs an SMB, cutting tool, torch, or audible signal device, confirm it before entry rather than discovering its absence after descent. Site rules vary.
When to stop the check
Pause the dive if a regulator breathes poorly, a gauge reading behaves oddly, a BCD will not hold air, or a cylinder strap feels loose. Do not “see if it settles down” underwater. Tell the divemaster or operator and use a qualified technician or appropriate staff to inspect the issue.
Also stop if either buddy does not understand the plan or cannot locate a critical release. The fix may take two minutes on a calm shore dive, but it can take longer on a crowded boat. That is fine. Missing a splash time is safer than entering with unresolved gear questions.
Make the buddy check part of the dive plan
Finish the check close to entry, especially if you have moved gear, changed cylinders, or waited a long time in hot weather. Recheck cylinder pressure after any change. Then do a final visual scan as you walk to the water.
Once you are afloat, pause before descending and give each other an OK. Confirm both divers are comfortable, oriented, and ready to follow the agreed plan. If anything feels wrong, end the dive. There will be another one.
FAQ
Do I need a buddy check on every dive?
Yes, a full check is a sensible habit before every entry, including a second dive with the same buddy. Cylinders get changed, weights get moved, and equipment can shift between dives. Keep it routine.
Can I do a buddy check by myself?
You can inspect your own equipment, test your regulators, and run through your own predive checklist, but you cannot fully replace a partner’s independent look and hands-on knowledge of your setup. If you plan to dive solo, follow the training, equipment, and local rules that apply to that type of diving.
What if my buddy uses gear I have never seen?
Ask them to demonstrate the BCD controls, weight release, alternate air source, and any unusual hose routing before entering. Keep the explanation practical. If you still do not understand the essential releases or air-sharing arrangement, do not proceed until you do.
Should I turn the cylinder valve all the way open?
Follow the procedure you were taught and the equipment manufacturer’s guidance, but the useful check is to confirm adequate pressure and breathe from both second stages while watching the gauge. If you have doubts about valve position, regulator behavior, or cylinder pressure, ask a certified instructor or dive professional before diving.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not dive training or medical advice. Always train with a certified instructor and consult a doctor before diving if you have any health concerns. Gear specs, pricing, site conditions, and operator schedules change, so verify current details directly with the manufacturer or dive operator.
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