NAUI Master Scuba Diver 234 Diving Techniques and Deeper Diving oral inflator mechanism or dump valve. If this is not possible, buoyant ascent rate will continue to increase. The diver must exhale and flare out horizontally to slow the ascent. The best prevention of uncontrolled BC inflation is proper preventive maintenance of the inflator mechanism. Items carried such as cameras, tools, and game bags can significantly reduce your buoyancy and create drag. Be certain that you are able to support these items. Also, be aware that releasing such items will require immediate adjustments in your buoyancy. The best policy to follow is that of frequent adjustments in your buoyancy so that you are always neutral. BUDDY SYSTEM The buddy system increases the fun of diving and can be a deterrent to accidents by making assistance available when needed (for example, during pre-dive equipment checks, entrapments/entanglements, out-ofair emergencies, medical emergencies). Buddy diving usually occurs in pairs or multiples of two. For the system to work, the divers must be committed to its principles and willing to expend the necessary effort. Ideally, buddies position themselves shoulder to shoulder and retain the same position relative to each other during the entire dive. If it is necessary to proceed in single file, the leader must stop as soon as possible and wait for the follower to catch up. In pairs of unequal experience or individuals with differing interests, it is important that both individuals have an opportunity to make dive plan decisions, determine the pace, and have equal freedom to cancel the dive. Always being the non-leading diver is unsafe. Threesomes are the most difficult buddy system to execute safely. Threesomes have been implicated in fatal diving accidents. Divers can become complacent about their responsibility. Often before the dive ends one of the divers is alone. In a threesome, try to maintain the same position relative to your buddies and never change to a twosome or a single during the dive. If separated from your buddy, look around in a complete circle, look up, ascend a few feet, and repeat the search watching for bubbles. If you do not locate your buddy within a minute, start an ascent while continuing to circle. Your buddy should be performing the same search procedure, and you should surface within a short distance of each other. If you get to the surface and your buddy is not there, look for the air bubbles breaking the surface. Swim over to the bubbles on the surface, and follow the bubbles down to rejoin your buddy. Never continue your dive alone. DEEP DIVING Personal Limitations Some of the reasons to dive deep may include exploration, photography, and marine life identification. Some people dive deep as an ego challenge. Our egos are the essence of our quest for adventure. A healthy ego gives us confidence, persistence, creativity, and flexibility and is vital to the ability to manage stress. But over-confidence (or an unhealthy ego) can lead to errors in judgment or diving beyond limitations. It is exhilarating and satisfying to participate in well planned, well executed deep dives. Hopefully, as you read this section, you will analyze your own motivation and ego and integrate these common sense concepts. How deep is deep? It is difficult to assign a specific depth for all people. A reasonable and prudent depth depends on many factors including, but not limited to, the diver, environmental conditions, equipment, and accompanying divers. The following are factors to consider in assessing personal limitations with regard to diving depth. Keep in mind that other factors may come into play based on individuals, diving conditions, and circumstances. Emotional Status Diving is not an activity for an emotionally unstable person. Individuals who tend to lose control or panic in times of crisis may well find occasion to do so in diving. Although panic and subsequent actions
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