3. Pre-dive Equipment Check: Double the Diligence

Tec diving requires more advanced and often redundant gear. From multiple tanks to rebreathers, sidemounts, or scooters, both buddies need to be confident that all equipment is functioning properly.

TDI Guidelines:

– Buddy check:Perform thorough equipment checks, not only on yourself but also on your buddy. Review everything from regulators and gas cylinders to backup lights and SMBs (Surface Marker Buoys).

– Redundant gear: Confirm that both buddies are carrying redundant gear, such as extra masks, cutting tools, and lights, to handle unexpected situations.

– Verify gas mixes: Ensure both you and your buddy are using the correct gas mixtures for the planned depth and that each tank is properly labeled.

4. Emergency Preparedness: Be Calm, Be Ready

Emergencies in tec diving can escalate quickly. Whether it’s a gas leak, equipment malfunction, or decompression illness, your ability to handle the situation effectively can mean the difference between a minor hiccup and a life-threatening incident.

TDI Guidelines:

– Drill regularly: Practice emergency scenarios with your buddy, such as gas-sharing, lost mask drills, and valve shutdowns. Regular rehearsals ensure swift, calm reactions in real situations.

– Know your buddy’s configuration: Be familiar with your buddy’s specific equipment setup so that in an emergency, you can help without confusion or delay.

– Calmness under pressure: Technical diving requires a high level of composure. Panic can make any situation worse, so remain calm and rely on your training.

5. Gas Management: Plan for Two

Tec divers must adhere to strict gas management rules, ensuring they have enough gas to complete the dive, make necessary decompression stops, and return safely. As a buddy, your job is to assist in monitoring gas supply for both yourself and your partner.

TDI Guidelines:

– Rule of thirds: This basic gas management rule states that one-third of your gas should be used for the descent and bottom time, one-third for the ascent, and one-third reserved for emergencies.

– Share gas supply info: Regularly update your buddy on your gas status and ask for theirs. Transparency here can prevent emergencies.

– Prepare for sharing: Be ready to share gas in the event of a failure in your buddy’s system. Ensure that your alternate air source is accessible and functioning.

6. Navigating Overhead Environments: Stay in Sync

Overhead environments such as caves, wrecks, or ice dives add a new level of risk, as direct ascent to the surface is impossible. In these situations, buddy teamwork becomes paramount.

TDI Guidelines:

– Line management: When following guidelines for cave or wreck penetration, ensure both buddies are familiar with line placement and retrieval. Always stay in contact with the guide line.

– Team-based decision making:If conditions change or visibility deteriorates, make decisions together. Never split up in an overhead environment unless absolutely necessary.

– Exit strategy: Both buddies should be aware of the planned exit route and prepared to navigate back under challenging conditions such as low visibility or strong currents.

7. Respect Dive Plans and Personal Limits

One of the hallmarks of being a great tec diving buddy is **mutual respect** for the dive plan and each diver’s personal limits. Tec diving is not the time for bravado or pushing beyond what you’re comfortable with.

TDI Guidelines:

– Plan your dive, dive your plan: Stick to the pre-arranged dive plan unless both buddies agree to alter it based on conditions or unexpected challenges.

– Know when to abort: If your buddy is uncomfortable or feels unwell, respect their decision to call the dive. Safety should always take precedence over ego or desire to continue.

– Set limits beforehand: Discuss each diver’s limits in terms of depth, dive time, and decompression procedures before the dive, and adhere to those limits underwater.

8. Post-Dive Debrief: Learn and Improve

A great buddy doesn’t just help underwater—they contribute to the post-dive process as well. After each dive, debriefing is crucial for improving future dives, discussing what went well and what could be improved.

TDI Guidelines:

– Review the dive: Discuss any challenges or unusual situations that arose. Go over equipment performance and communication effectiveness.

– Plan for next time: Use the debrief to make adjustments to future dive plans or equipment configurations based on lessons learned.