What is the concept of buddy diving in scuba?

Buddy diving is a fundamental practice in scuba diving that involves pairing two divers together to enhance safety and support during underwater excursions. This approach is based on the principle that divers can look out for each other, assisting with equipment issues, sharing air in emergencies, and ensuring that both divers are aware of each other’s well-being throughout the dive.

This system promotes a safety network in which each diver is responsible not only for their own safety but also for the safety of their buddy. In practice, this means that buddy divers maintain close proximity, communicate regularly through hand signals or other methods, and have emergency plans in place, such as sharing an air supply if one diver encounters unexpected difficulties.

The other options do not align with the concept of buddy diving. Solo diving does not involve any partner and is usually accompanied by greater risks unless very specific training and precautions are taken. Diving exclusively with an instructor does not encompass the buddy system for regular divers, and avoiding assistance contradicts the core principles of safety and mutual support that buddy diving is built upon.