Car keys in hand ..what did I forget?

[plclark196]

You've got all the gear loaded and car keys in hand ...last minute panic sets in...."what did I forget?"
So the question is - do you have a check off list to refer to ? ...or do you simply throw stuff together , take a look around, take another look around , and then head out???
If you do happen to have a list would you like to post it?

 

[The Kraken]

Yep, have a check list.
It's laminated and has columns for 4 divers.
It's laminated so each diver can check off her/his gear with a grease pencil, erase it when loading is complete and use it over and over again.

Unfortunately I did away with the file . . . sorry.

the K

 

[Zoomer]

I lay out all my gear BEFORE I pack it and make sure I have everything, this is usually done the day before I go diving that way there is no last minute surprises and it gives me a day to go pickup any last minute essentials, while getting tanks filled at the LDS.

 

[Guba]

I "compartmentalize" my gear by bag...Regs, fins, mask, lights, knife, save a dive kit, etc...in one bag: BC, wetsuit(s), booties in another; weights in small bag; and cameras, computer, logbook, and odds and ends in another. When time to travel I only have to count the bags and make sure I have tanks loaded.

 

[The Kraken]

Open up a spreadsheet file, outline the borders of the cells and just type in something like this:

Mask
Snorkel
Hood
Wet Suit
Gloves
Booties
Fins
Regulators
Gauges*
B/C
Computer*
Weights
Watch
Primary Light
Backup Light
Cutting Device
SMB
Compass
Dive Log

. . . you get the idea.

the K

 

[TSandM]

This is one of the reasons we ended up putting up a shelving system in our basement. Now, all the gear is in one place, and I back the car up to the door and start pulling stuff of the shelves to pack it. When I think I'm done, I just have to look at the shelves and see if there's anything still there that I need for diving.

Of course, that system depends on us putting things back on the shelves . . .

 

[letterboy]

I just throw it all in the bin when it is dry, thus when the next trip comes up I just hurl the bin into my truck, slug some tanks over and away I go . . .

 

[don Francisco]

Years ago, in the context of working with heavy machinery, I was given this advice-
Do the same job the same way every time. This applies as well to diving. Before packing for a dive trip, by car locally, or by plane to a distant site, clear a floor area, lay all of your equipment out in the same sequence. Check it against your list, eyeball it & re-check specifics such do you have the right wetsuit for this particular trip. Remove anything you don't plan on taking. Pack ALL that's left into the car or luggage. This saves you the double work of unpacking to look for something you might have forgotten. If you do this often enough with no variation it becomes burned into your brain & you can do it in your sleep. If you vary the system you'll be forced to rethink each step of the way & you'll make mistakes.
Packing, like the predive buddy drill works best if you follow the simple mantra-
Do the same job the same way every time.

 

[Charlie99]

I used to have a checklist.

Now I just have a specific way of packing my divebag. Each item has a very specific spot, down to having the beanie velcro'd around the right hand fin strap; and the fin, boot, wetsuit, and reg console pile being in the back of the bag; and the mask case, camera, and save-a-dive kits being on the front pocket side. This helps a lot in making gearing up on a boat fast and easy.

My backup check is to look on the lanai and on the bed in the spare bedroom to see if anything is left behind.

 

[ReefHound]

No checklist for me. They only work if you remember to use them and diligently mark off each item only after packing it. If you can be diligent about that just be diligent about following a precise order in your mind.

I pack my bags mostly in the same order and arrangement. At the end, I will mentally "gear up" to be sure I have everything. As long as I have the basic kit needed to make a dive, I figure I can overcome anything else.