If you become separated from your buddy during a dive, what should you do?

When separated from your buddy during a dive, the best practice is to spend no more than one minute looking for them before you surface. This approach is rooted in safety and the understanding that maintaining a buddy system is crucial for diver safety.

This one-minute rule gives you a chance to see if you can locate your buddy within a reasonable time frame. If you cannot find them quickly, surface to a safe area where you can more effectively seek help or signal for assistance. Prolonging the search beyond this timeframe can lead to increased risks to your own safety, such as running out of air or ascending too quickly.

This method balances the urgency of the situation with the need to prioritize your own safety, facilitating better outcomes both for you and your buddy. If you have to surface, you can often spot them or get assistance from other divers nearby, ensuring that the search and rescue can be conducted efficiently without compromising your own safety.