How can divers enhance their safety before a dive?

Conducting a buddy check is a critical safety measure that divers should implement before embarking on a dive. This practice involves each diver checking the equipment and readiness of their diving partner, ensuring that all gear is functioning correctly and that both divers are adequately prepared for the dive. The buddy system is a fundamental principle in diving as it enhances safety by providing immediate support in case of an emergency and helps to identify any potential issues with gear or planning before they become significant problems underwater.

Through the buddy check, divers can confirm that tank pressures are adequate, that dive plans are understood by both parties, and that signals or emergency procedures are reviewed. This collaborative safety measure helps to foster communication and establishes a support system that is crucial in promoting overall safety during the dive.

In contrast, diving alone, ignoring dive tables, or planning night dives without proper experience and equipment do not contribute positively to diver safety and can introduce additional risks.