If your buddy is entangled in fishing line, what should be your first action?

Having your buddy turn to release the fishing line is a sensible first action in this situation because it allows them to assess their entanglement and potentially escape from the line with minimal intervention required. This action promotes their awareness of their surroundings and enables them to use their own movement to free themselves, which can often be the most effective and safest method.

When someone is entangled underwater, quick and direct assistance might seem appropriate, but it can also lead to panic or further entanglement if not done carefully. Encouraging the buddy to turn may help them identify how they can maneuver to get free without the added stress of someone else trying to handle the situation directly. Additionally, if they are able to manage the situation themselves, it fosters independence and builds confidence.

While cutting the line or calling for help might be necessary steps if the entanglement was severe, they are generally not the immediate response because the first priority should be to assess the situation and provide the buddy with the opportunity to manage it.