Lost buddy procedure (1-minute search rule)

The Lost Buddy Procedure is a specific safety rule used when you lose visual contact with your partner. You must search the immediate area for exactly 60 seconds.

Divers use this protocol during every recreational dive. It prevents panic because it gives you a clear plan of action. Most agencies like PADI or SSI teach this for depths between 12 m and 30 m.

Do not search for longer than one minute. I once saw a diver in Koh Tao spend five minutes looking for a buddy before surfacing. This mistake wastes your air and increases your risk of decompression sickness. If you still cannot find them after 60 seconds, you must begin a controlled ascent to the surface. Always signal other divers during your ascent so they see you.