Final answer:
The correct action to take if you lose contact with your dive buddy is to search for no more than one minute by looking around and then perform a standard ascent to the surface. It's essential to remove a person from water before administering CPR. Recognize the signs of drowning and provide immediate rescue efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you lose contact with your buddy during a dive, the correct procedure is to search for no more than a minute by turning 360 degrees and looking up and down. If you do not find your buddy, then you should perform a normal ascent to the surface.
This is because it's important to reestablish contact with your dive buddy to ensure both divers' safety. If you were to surface immediately, exit the water at a predetermined location, or continue in the direction you were swimming for one minute and then surface, you could leave your dive buddy alone underwater with potential risks.
Addressing drowning myths, it's critical to understand that administering CPR before removing a person from water is ineffective. Once the individual is on stable ground, CPR can be initiated.
Furthermore, a drowning person cannot shout for help and may display behaviors similar to calm floating before submerging. In cases of unconscious individuals in water, especially in cold water, administering CPR as soon as possible could still lead to full recovery.
It's essential to remember safety practices such as obeying 'no diving' signs to avoid injuries. Being aware of the physical signs of drowning and immediate rescue and resuscitation efforts are crucial in water-related emergencies.