During an ascent, how far should you stay from your buddy?

Staying at arm's length from your buddy during an ascent is crucial for several reasons. This distance allows you to maintain visual contact and communication without sacrificing the ability to respond quickly if either diver encounters a problem. When divers are too close together, they might inadvertently entangle themselves or hinder each other's movement, especially in the presence of currents or during buoyancy adjustments. At arm's length, you can easily assist each other if needed while still preserving a safe distance to avoid complications. This distance also aligns with safe diving practices which recommend remaining close enough to provide assistance but far enough to protect both divers’ space during ascents.

Other distances, such as being five feet or two meters apart, may not provide the immediate support or visibility needed in an emergency. Being close enough to touch could lead to accidents or over-reliance on one another, increasing the risks rather than managing them properly.