Why the pre-dive safety check matters
Meet BWRAF, the buddy check PADI teaches before every dive — and why even experienced instructors never skip it.
The pre-dive safety check is a quick, non-negotiable step that makes all the difference to a dive's safety, whether it's your first or your thousandth. PADI teaches a sequence for it called BWRAF — 'Begin With Review And Friend' — a short, focused checklist done together with your buddy right before entering the water.
B stands for BCD: you check that it inflates and deflates smoothly and that there are no visible leaks at the hoses or connections. W stands for Weights: you confirm the amount is right for that dive and that the quick-release system is accessible and unlocked, ready to be ditched instantly if needed.
R stands for Releases: every buckle and clip on the gear — BCD, weight belt, pockets — is identified and tested, so each diver knows exactly where they are and how to open them without hesitating. A stands for Air: you confirm the tank valve is fully open, check the pressure gauge reading, and breathe from both the primary regulator and the backup (the octopus).
Finally, F stands for Final check: mask, fins, dive computer, and any other accessory are checked and secured in place, so nothing comes loose, gets lost, or gets left behind on the boat when it's time to get in the water.
The core idea behind BWRAF is that it's always done as a pair — each diver checks their own gear, then their buddy's, and vice versa. That cross-check is what makes the process reliable: something missed out of distraction gets a second chance to be caught before it becomes a problem underwater.
It's worth repeating that this habit isn't just for beginners. Instructors and divers with hundreds of logged dives still run the check before every single outing, no exceptions — that repeated discipline, dive after dive, is exactly what prevents the small oversights behind most avoidable diving incidents.
At Búzios Divers, the pre-dive check is part of the briefing on every trip, guided by our team and explained patiently for anyone who hasn't run into the acronym before. It takes less than a minute — and it's honestly the most important minute before any dive.
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