Editing Buddy check (section)

{{About|the procedure in scuba diving|the procedure in software testing|software peer review}}
{{Short description| Pre-dive safety checks carried out by two-diver dive teams }}
[[File:Buddy-Check.jpg|thumb|Divers doing a buddy check - This is usually done before entering the water, but there may be reasons to check again in the water if something does not appear to be right.]]

The '''buddy check''' is a procedure carried out by [[Scuba diving|scuba divers]] using the [[buddy system]] where each [[dive buddy]] checks that the other's [[diving equipment]] is configured and functioning correctly just before the start of the dive.<ref name="BSAC" /> A study of [[pre-dive checks|pre-dive equipment checks]] done by individual divers showed that divers often fail to recognize common equipment faults.<ref name=Acott /> By checking each other's equipment as well as their own, it is thought to be more likely that these faults will be identified prior to the start of the dive. The correct use of a well designed written [[checklist]] is known to be more reliable, and is more likely to be used by [[professional diver]]s, where it may be required by occupational health and safety legislation,  and by [[technical diver]]s, where the equipment checks are more complex.

The wide variety of types of [[Buoyancy compensator (diving)|buoyancy compensator]], [[diving suit]]s and types of [[Scuba set|scuba equipment]] means that it is important for each buddy to understand the other's equipment configuration in case one has to help or rescue the other. The buddy check is a last minute opportunity to become familiar with the dive buddy's equipment. Since many buddy pairings are arbitrarily assigned by the diveing service provider just before the dive, this may be the only time the buddy pair get to familiarise themselves with each other's equipment.

Other systems are used by technical team divers and professional divers with the similar goal of ensuring that the divers are ready to safely enter the water. Professional divers may be required by organizational policy to use an itemised checklist.<ref name="US Navy Diving Manual 2016" />