The Buddy System
buddy system – a cooperative practice of pairing two or more people together for mutual assistance or safety (especially in recreational swimming).
Whether at home or traveling, hiking or swimming, the buddy system is one of the best ways to stay safe. It is very simple, and can be used in two different ways. Enter the water together with the understanding that you are going to stay close to each other the whole time. It is much harder to keep an eye on one another when you are both at the same eye level, and waves can make it even more challenging. If your “buddy” doesn’t feel like going in the water with you, have them watch you from shore. Taking a little time out of their day could save your life.
I recently went snorkeling with a friend who is very nervous in the ocean. She purchased an inflatable vest to wear for added support, and let go of being embarrassed when she saw several others also wearing vests. We talked about being buddies and staying by each other – her one other experience with the buddy system didn’t go well as her partner was a much better swimmer and immediately swam ahead (and out of sight).
Although I had to swim slower and not go out as far as I normally would, we had a marvelous time. My friend felt safe and therefore enjoyed herself. I came away with a sense of having given my friend the gift of enjoying the ocean the way I do, and looking forward to doing it again.
An important note for those without a buddy. Let someone where you are staying know where you are planning on going that day. If no one is around, leave a note in your room. Choose a lifeguarded beach as they will be keeping on eye on everyone. If you visit a beach without a lifeguard, let someone on the beach know where you are going in, and let them know when you get out of the water. Swimming alone on a deserted beach has inherent risks, and three of our drownings on Kauai this year occurred under these circumstances.
Category : Blog