Gear check list, is a must don't leave home with out it!!!

[tbone1004]

I have forgetting stupid things before, Rx mask, booties, etc etc, but nothing mission critical. I did have a buddy forget his whole gear bin, reg, lights, computer, sidemount rig, etc etc before going to cave country. That was fun.

For backmount it is easy, I assemble everything before I leave. I don't dive singles anymore, but even when I did, it is fully assembled with the extra tanks around it. Everything is clipped off like I would have it on a picnic table or whatever.
BC mounted
Regs on
knife on computer strap
Fins threaded onto waist strap with mask inside one pocket, wrist slate and computer in the other foot pocket
DSMB/Reel clipped onto waist strap
Can light threaded on or clipped on if needed
Backup lights live permanently on the shoulder straps
Thigh pocket is removable and has wet notes/tables all the normal extra stuff and that is clipped either to the manifold or threaded on the waist strap.
If cave diving all of the reels are on my butt rails

after that the only thing is exposure protection and the tool box. With sidemount I don't rig the bottles until I'm at the site, but for doubles it's easier for me to fully rig everything and do my checks before I leave the house

 

[Z Gear]

I guess there are times where I get to distracted especially when I get ready to go dive with the wife. I was assuming some of you relied on some type of list but I see that is not the case. I did make a list so I could avoid this in the future.

Most you guys have got a good system down , which does give me some good tips on how to better prepare and organize my gear for my dive.

Thanks,

Frank G
Z GEAR - Z Gear Dive Mounts

 

[Cali_diver]

I pack using a head to toe thought process, but I also have a comprehensive list for trips. I would hate to leave something at home. My list is dive gear and photography gear combined. I have been on too many trips with people who forgot their sync cords or battery chargers etc. We spend too much money to have a trip effected by something left at home.

 

[scubatoys]

Here is a list that we hand out to our new divers during class. It is a good start. For others that have specialized gear you of course would have to develop your own list.

 

[tbone1004]

Well I do use a checklist. Conveniently when you are gearing up and getting in the water it is mental, similar to my EDC items, I just tap them to make sure they are there.

When I'm packing, it's part of the assembly process.
If I'm diving sidemount, I follow the GUE checklist adapted to what I'm doing

Tanks
Regs
BC system
depth/time/computer type device
compass-mine is slate mounted
mask/fins
z-knife-lives on my computer
wet notes *don't take them unless I'm doing deco diving because they contain tables, if I'm doing recreational stuff my compass slate counts
exposure protection
50m safety spool

optional equipment depending on the dive
primary light
backup lights
primary reel
DSMB
lift bag
line markers
stage/deco/inflation bottles w/regulator and rigging
jon line
extra cutting devices
gopro
DPV
extra spools/reels
flag
speargun and accessories
etc etc.

lots of extra stuff can be there depending on the dive, but I just find that assembly prior to leaving the house is best, especially since I can check IP of everything before I leave to make sure the first stages are happy and there are no leaks.

tool box always comes with me, and any spares/extras that I'll bring for others in save a dive kit. If you're a checklist person, then by all means

https://www.globalunderwaterexplorers.org/node/2507
GUE Equipment List | Fundies Pages | content
http://dutchsprings.com/PrintChecklist.pdf
http://www.thaiwreckdiver.com/documents/technical_dive_equipment_checklistx.doc

 

[phoenix31tt]

i forgot my wetsuits once, well my wife did but of course i took the blame.. it's better that way lol...

anyways since then i pack both our gear and i make a mental note... i don't care if i forget something non essential.

Reg, Wing, Wetsuit, Fins, Boots, Computer, Mask... i can complete any dive with that so it's not much to remember. When packing i just visualize myself in the water and remember what i NEED.

Toolkit is always in my gear bag, knife/trilo is always on my harness, if my spool/smb is not on my plate then it's whereever my bp/w is drying so easy to remember too.

If everything has had a chance to dry before i dive again then it is super easy as everything will be together anyways

 

[Z Gear]

For local diving I have my gear stored on a rolling shelf that doubles as a drying place. Everything to do with cold water diving is there.

For the once or twice a year the St Lawrence River warms up to the +70s and I dive a wetsuit, I haul out the warm water tote box.

For travel, I have a warm water and a cold water checklist.
There are variations: am I diving sidemount (Nomad Wing/harness, tank cam bands, bungees etc) or Backmount (wing/harness and weight belt).

I thought for a second I was going a bit over by making a list, I guess its quite normal, and it works for a lot of you guys.

---------- Post added October 19th, 2015 at 08:39 PM ----------

Here is a list that we hand out to our new divers during class. It is a good start. For others that have specialized gear you of course would have to develop your own list. View attachment 218252

The only suggestion I would make is to make sure that the Wet suit check box should be by itself and not with gloves booties and hood. I have left either my booties once. My gloves at another time, and hood on another occasion. I have not left with out my wet suit YET!!!

I think I would check off the wet suit box and perhaps overlook my booties, hood or gloves. IMO

But other than that its cool that you give out these list to your customers, forgetting gear can be a bummer!

 

[shoredivr]

I also put on my gear in exactly the same order each time, that way nothing is forgotten.

 

[raftingtigger]

The more complex your kit, the more a written checklist helps. I drive 3 hours to the dive site, so making sure everything needed comes is important to me. I also pack spares - which I rarely use, but often lend to someone else.

Sometimes I get lazy (or really can't find the laminated list) and use a mental one. Those are the times that comfort items like the folding chair for gearing up are forgotten. Now the list is taped to the outside of my primary gear box.

I have had a few buddies have to sit out a dive day - they forgot critical gear like drysuit undies.

 

[Storker]

I have had a few buddies have to sit out a dive day - they forgot critical gear like drysuit undies.

That's pretty impressive; I don't think I'd do that, at least not for a day trip.

Of course, it helps a lot that unless it's a warm summer day, I usually don my undersuit already before I leave home. It's really comfortable, like a nice, padded onesie. And it's got pockets for keys etc.