What should divers do if they see a buddy in distress?

When a diver sees a buddy in distress, the immediate response should be to assist while ensuring their own safety. This approach emphasizes the importance of buddy teamwork and safety in diving environments. By providing assistance, divers can help stabilize a potentially dangerous situation and support their buddy, who may be overwhelmed or unable to respond effectively on their own.

In this context, addressing the buddy's needs swiftly can prevent the situation from escalating and promote a quicker resolution. However, the emphasis on ensuring one’s own safety is crucial, as approaching a distressed diver without a proper assessment can lead to additional risks for both individuals involved.

This proactive response is aligned with the buddy system philosophy in diving training, where divers are taught that their responsibility extends to monitoring and assisting their diving partners.