On a recent dive I met a couple with these devices strapped to their arms that definitely weren’t dive computers. Curious, I had to ask them what they were wearing. Their response is the reason for this article.
Buddy-Watcher is a German company that started selling their unique product in November 2014, but had the idea in 2008 after a dive in the Great Barrier Reef. The idea is simple, a device that allows dive buddies to signal each other quickly and easily.
A normal sound maker, such as a tapping on a tank or shaker is heard by any diver in the surrounding area, so they are less likely to be acknowledged by your buddy as the sound has become quite common. Buddy-Watcher is a block that straps to your wrist or arm that with the push of a button sends a vibration and light signal to the other paired device. Simple, but brilliant!
You need the attention of your diving buddy? The call button causes a vibration on your buddy’s wrist and his attention is all yours. The easiest way of communicating underwater. The Buddy-Watcher is a new haptic signal system that enables easier and quicker communication between dive partners.
-Buddy-Watcher
The Buddy Watcher signal reaches up to 80 metres, so you can always be in communication with your buddy. The company is currently working on a BETA testing model that will send a vibration if the Buddy-Watchers pass the 80 metre distance.
After seeing the couple in Thailand with the system and reading about it online, I had to test it for myself.
The pairing of the devices was easy and quick to do before jumping in the water. Although the device is quick large, it is very light weight and unnoticeable when wearing. I wore it on my upper arm over a rash guard as it suited my dive positioning, but my buddy wore it on their wrist over a 3mm wetsuit. The Buddy-Watcher website says that the vibrations can be felt through up to 10mm of exposure wear and that it also works with dry suits. Having not tested it with a thick wetsuit, I cannot verify this fact, but I can say that the vibrations were quite strong and noticeable, so I definitely think thicker materials would be fine with the system.
After we descended and before we started our dive we each tested the device to double check they were working. A simple click of the button and within seconds my buddy signaled the OK sign – they felt the vibration. Our systems were ready to go. Throughout the dive we used them mainly for signaling marine life to each other and the response time was fantastic. Neither of us had to use any effort to get each others attention and because it was noiseless, we are able to enjoy a peaceful dive without disturbing anyone else in the water.
Both my buddy and myself were extremely pleased with the Buddy-Watcher system and would definitely recommend it to any buddy team who wants the comfort of always being able to communicate with their buddy, whether it be for an emergency, or just because they always seem to miss the amazing marine life that you see and then don’t believe you when you reach the surface and tell them!
If you want to purchase the Buddy-Watcher system ($279.98 per set), head on over to the Buddy-Watcher website!
For 10% off your entire purchase, use the code “NEW10OFF”!
