What is the purpose of the safety buoy?

The purpose of a safety buoy is to mark the location of a diver on the surface. When divers are below the water, it can be challenging for surface support or boats to determine their exact position. Deploying a safety buoy helps to create a visible reference point that indicates where divers are located, ensuring that they can be easily seen from above. This enhances safety by allowing surface personnel to monitor the situation and efficiently coordinate any necessary support, such as surface rescue or boat navigation.

While the other uses of the buoy, such as signaling for assistance or providing flotation, may seem relevant, marking the diver's location is the primary function that directly contributes to diver safety during excursions.