Positioning Scuba Divers is Vital When Needing to Buddy Breathe

The position of the two scuba divers when buddy breathing is one of the most important aspects of sharing air underwater from the one scuba regulator.
Bruce IliffPosted on May 28, 2010
Scuba Diver Should be Ready to Buddy Breathe - Bruce ILIFFBreathing compressed air underwater is dangerous, so the sharing of air underwater is a skill that must be mastered before any scuba diver goes underwater. For details on the correct way to buddy breathe, refer to Suite101 article: Buddy Breathing Procedure.
Even with all the secondary air systems available, a situation can occur whereby there is still a need to buddy breathe.
For a scuba diver out of air, the most obvious source of air is the regulator sticking out of the mouth of the nearest diver. Therefore, a scuba diver must always be aware that at any time their secure air supply may be ripped out of their mouth by a panicking diver.
What is Scuba Diving Buddy Breathing?
Buddy breathing would have to be the most important skill that a scuba diver must know. Even with the advent of a range of alternate air supplies, there may be times when the skill of buddy breathing is the difference between a good scuba dive and a tragedy.
In scuba diving, buddy breathing is the act of two scuba divers breathing off the same second stage regulator.
There are a number of reasons why the two scuba divers have found themselves in this situation. It could be from simply running out of air, or major equipment failure. For a further details on reasons why scuba divers may need to buddy breathe, refer to Suite101 article: “Scuba Diver Running out of Air and Needing a Back-Up Air Supply”
Positioning for Buddy Breathing
Positioning of both scuba divers in the buddy pair is vital. Side by side, at a slight angle is the best. The receiver should be on the left of the donor. This enables the regulator to be handed across easily.
Having both divers side-by side, at an angle, is best for doing the scuba dive ascent.
The other configuration is for the divers to be facing each other. This works best if the divers are on the sea floor; maybe waiting for another diver to bring down another scuba tank. Or if one of the divers is a bit anxious and needs reassurance with the buddy breathing.
The buddy breathing pair also need to be extra careful with their buoyancy. They need to be in synch to ensure they don’t separate and lose the correct positioning. The worst situation is one diver heading for the surface and the other sinking. This requires close coordination between the buddy pair.
Scuba Divers Must Remain in Contact When Buddy Breathing
Both scuba divers need to remain in contact with each other. The best way is for each diver to grab hold of the back or shoulder of the other diver. There is usually something to hang onto: the top of the buoyancy compensator; the wetsuit; or even the stem of the tank. Though in this latter hold spot, the diver needs to be sure they don’t put any pressure on the connection of the first stage to the tank. If this gets dislodged on the donor’s tank, there could suddenly be two divers out of air.
Sharing life-giving air with another person is one of the most powerful acts that can happen in life and in scuba diving. Due to the possibility of a buddy breathing situation to occur at any time while underwater, a scuba diver should be well aware of the skills and procedures of buddy breathing.