Buddy Check Acronym BWRAF - A diving checklist before every scuba dive
Buddy Check for scuba diving is the most important pre-dive safety check to do before every dive to stay safe. In this article, we will explain why the buddy check is so important and how easy you can to remember the pre-dive safety check by using the acronym BWRAF.
Why is the PADI BWRAF check so important?
I can’t count the times jumping in the water forgetting my fins or weight belt when I was a beginner scuba diver. Most of the time these were funny and embarrassing moments, as they happened in good weather conditions. But what would have happened if I forgot to put on my fins in rough sea conditions? I could have been in a lot more trouble. Even worse what if I would have forgotten to open my air before the dive?
The Buddy Check BWRAF in scuba diving is incredibly important to do as a pre-dive safety. Some people scuba dive often tend to skip the buddy over time, thinking that they don’t need it anymore. However, even the most experienced scuba divers sometimes still forget something. Yes, a lot less than beginner scuba divers, but it does accidentally happen.
A diving checklist is compared to a pre-take-off checklist
Would you go into an airplane knowing the pilots didn’t do a pre-take off checklist?
We all fly and every time we go into an airplane we trust our lives to the pilots. One of the reasons flying is so safe is because the pilots go through a standardized pre take off checklist before every flight. This ensures that the airplane is ready to take off.
We all fly and every time we go into an airplane we trust our lives to the pilots. One of the reasons flying is so safe is because the pilots go through a standardized pre take off checklist before every flight. This ensures that the airplane is ready to take off.
To prevent missing a step a co-pilot will double check every step. This reduces risk significantly. In scuba diving, we also have a diving checklist which we call the buddy check. Yes, we can all follow the buddy check acronym BWRAF by ourselves but increases the risk of forgetting some steps. By having our dive buddy double-checking our diving checklist we also reduce the risk of forgetting steps, same as the pilots. This is one of the reasons why it is recommended to always scuba dive with a buddy.
Buddy check acronym
There are 5 important steps in the buddy check, but all very important. To make it easier not to forget any steps you can use a buddy check acronym.
An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word. The buddy check acronym is BWRAF.
5 Steps for the buddy check BWRAF
An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word. The buddy check acronym is BWRAF.
5 Steps for the buddy check BWRAF
- B - BCD
- W - Weights
- R - Releases
- A - Air
- F - Final ok
B stands for BCD in the buddy check acronym
During the BCD check your start by inflating each other BCD until air releases from the purge valves. Now you know that the Low-Pressure Inflator hose (LPI) works. Leave the BCD inflated for a few seconds to check for any leaks in the BCD. Now deflate your buddy’s BCD to test the deflation button, followed by orally inflating your buddy's BCD, or if you are uncomfortable with that just orally inflate your BCD in front of your buddy. Now deflate it again.
W stands for Weight System in the buddy check diving checklist
Start by checking if your buddy has a weight belt on or has weights in the integrated weight pockets. Check for a right-hand release if they have a weight belt or check if the integrated weight pockets are securely clipped into the BCD. Finally, check if all the diving weights are evenly divided and nothing is entangled in the scuba weight system.
R stands for releases in the buddy check
Check all your diving buddy’s releases on their BCD. Check the shoulder straps, chest and belly buckles, the velcro strap, and finally the BCD tank cylinder band connection. Give your buddy's scuba cylinder a little wiggle to make sure it is connected properly.
A stands for Air Check
This is the most important step of the buddy check. First, you want to check if your diving buddy’s air is open. It is very important that you not just turn the valve. First, you carefully want to check on the side which way is open and close. I know this sounds over the top, but I have seen people accidentally turn off their buddy’s air tank before the dive. Double or even triple-check this part.
After you confirmed that your buddy’s air tank is open you can grab your SPG. Place your SPG and your buddy's SPG next to each other. First, purge the second stage, then smell the air followed by breathing from your regulator at least 3 times while looking at both air gauges. Not only are you checking airflow, but you are also checking if the air gauge needle doesn’t move. If the needle does move you have or a problem with your first stage or you haven’t turned on the air fully.
Finally, grab your own or your buddy’s alternate air source and also breathe from that at least 3 times to ensure your alternate air sources are working.
Finally, grab your own or your buddy’s alternate air source and also breathe from that at least 3 times to ensure your alternate air sources are working.
F stands for Final OK in the buddy check
To finish the buddy check you want to make sure that the scuba equipment from your buddy is streamlined and nothing is missing like the scuba mask, fins, and other essential scuba gear. If everything checks out, you give your buddy a final ok scuba diving hand signal and you are ready to begin your scuba dive.
Conclusion buddy check
The buddy check is a diving checklist that you can compare to a pre take off checklist that pilots use. You learn the buddy check in the PADI Open Water Diver Course and it is one of the most important parts before any scuba dive. You can use the buddy check acronym BWRAF to easily remember all the steps of the pre-dive safety check and I highly recommend to always do a buddy check, even when you are already an experienced scuba diver.
Learn more information on how to become a PADI Diving Instructor and be able to teach the Buddy Check.
Learn more information on how to become a PADI Diving Instructor and be able to teach the Buddy Check.
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Marcel van den Berg
PADI Platinum Course Director
PADI Platinum Course Director
SCUBA DIVING TIPS
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Copyright 2017 - 2022 | All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
All content on this website and URL are owned by Sairee Cottage Diving PADI 5-Star IDC Center S-36452
Copyright 2017 - 2022 | All Rights Reserved