Editing Buddy check (section)

==Purpose==
The basic buddy check is a pre-dive equipment check intended to reduce the risk of the diver entering the water with life-support equipment which has not been checked to be functioning correctly. The extended buddy checks include dive planning information sharing to improve the ability of the divers to co-operate usefully both during the planned dive and in case of a contingency, and may include a review of the current conditions and a basic risk assessment.<ref name="Ranapurwala" /> Checklists have been shown to be highly effective at reducing operator error in several fields where the correct completion of a series of tasks is of critical importance.<ref name="Gawande 2010" /> 

===Effectiveness===
Although generally not a written [[checklist]], a simple buddy check can be effective in avoiding major problems due to failure to prepare critical equipment correctly.<ref name="Ranapurwala" /> Effectiveness can vary depending on the completeness of the checks, and the attention given, and can be reduced by distractions, interruptions, and time pressure.