I don`t think it`s quite that cut and dried when it comes to the buddy system. I think having a couple of buddies together who know each other and their skills definately increases the safety margin, especially for newer divers or chanllenging dives. But let`s face it, life isn`t that simple. http://www.scubadivingplanet.com/articles/templates/general.asp? articleid=8&zoneid=1http://www.atlantisdivers.com/Editorials.html SDI actually offers a solo diver specialty. http://www.bigbluediving.com/en/diving/tech_courses_solo.asp Other types of divers, actually advocate solo diving. NE wreck divers are apparently famous for it. http://www.njscuba.net/gear/trng_07_buddy.html I`m not saying that buddy diving shouldn`t be the norm in most every circumstance. But a nearly religious adherance to it without actually thinking through the reasons doesn`t really help anyone, you or your buddy.