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

[bowlofpetunias]

We use a visualization system and put things into the tubs in reverse order so the first thing to hand is the first thing we need in the gearing up process. Once the car is loaded we do another run through of the visualization process mentally ticking the items off. We find if something interrupts our normal process it is more likely we will miss something.

I don't like to have things stored in crates ready to put in the car. I prefer to have them cleaned dries and hanging so there are no creases etc. Of course the other issue is that we have a few insects here that could be detrimental you my health if they took up residence in something folded in the crate. I have seen a few of our regular dive buddies who use that system wind up missing something because they didn't double check.

Perhaps I am a little Obsessive Compulsive but if I did have it already in the crates I would wind up having to drag it all out to check it anyway:doh:

 

[Searcaigh]

Who writes a cheque today anyway?

I do, particularly for work to pay bills etc., coz that's the way it still works in third world countries.

Back to topic

I usually pack everything into my Action Packer box once all is dry, although wetsuits go on a hanger on rack full of wetsuits (+ one drysuit). There is always one standard regulator in the box plus another for a stage, more are added the night before a dive if I intend to dive doubles.

I do tend to drag everything out of the box the night before and do a run through with what I need, although some things live in my car and the danger there is when I change cars occasionally and forget to transfer some stuff .... weight belt being the most obvious one, but I have arrived for a dive without my dive boots once and on another occasion without a mask!

 

[seeker242]

I haven't forgotten anything yet but I do tend to check my bag 3-4 times just to make sure. A checklist would probably be easier!

 

[Jumana Ameeri]

My packing is fine, I haven't ever forgotten any gear at home/hotel, but once i forgot to put my weight belt on and realised I wasn't descending while the whole team was already descending and close to the bottom. It was in the Red sea (called Sharks and Yolanda Reef). I looked down at myself and saw there was no weight belt. I was upset that I was going to miss such a great dive but also found it funny, how stupid of me and also my buddy who didn't notice when doing the buddy check. So i just ended the dive, told my buddy i was going back and that he could continue with the others and swam back to the boat. I thought of getting the weight belt but didnt want others to waste time waiting for me.

 

[Neilwood]

Definitely one for the mental checklist/visualisation before leaving. If you mentally don each piece of equipment as you pack it, it is near impossible to forget a piece.

Packing it in reverse order works well ie mask/snorkel first then fins, BC/weights etc. That way you have less hassle on site as the next piece out is the next one on.

 

[shoredivr]

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).

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Early on I used the mental list. Now a written one is a must. With enough gear to outfit at a minimum 4 divers using either single tank back mount, double back mount, sidemount, plus stages and deco bottles it's very easy to grab the wrong reg or see all that stuff in the car and not realize I put the Dive Rite SM rig in when I intended to take the HOG or the Manta. Or grab one pair of fins and realize they are the wrong size for the suit I'm using.
My GF is the master of lists. She has detailed lists for warm fresh water for a day. One for a weekend. One for cooler fresh water for the same two options. Then there is her saltwater list for the drysuit and wet suit. On top of that are her lists of clothes, toiletries, etc. for those times.
Once I finish the fiction book I'm working on the next in the Practical Guide series is in line. I'll be putting a chapter in it using her lists as examples of how detailed you can be.
I started including wet notes with my OW student's materials and have them make gear up checklists now. Rather than trying to remember some saying that many seem to forget what each item stands for, a written list reduces the chance of buddies missing something.
Using one for packing does the same thing.
As long as you remember to use the list.

 

[Neilwood]

Early on I used the mental list. Now a written one is a must. With enough gear to outfit at a minimum 4 divers using either single tank back mount, double back mount, sidemount, plus stages and deco bottles it's very easy to grab the wrong reg or see all that stuff in the car and not realize I put the Dive Rite SM rig in when I intended to take the HOG or the Manta. Or grab one pair of fins and realize they are the wrong size for the suit I'm using.
My GF is the master of lists. She has detailed lists for warm fresh water for a day. One for a weekend. One for cooler fresh water for the same two options. Then there is her saltwater list for the drysuit and wet suit. On top of that are her lists of clothes, toiletries, etc. for those times.
Once I finish the fiction book I'm working on the next in the Practical Guide series is in line. I'll be putting a chapter in it using her lists as examples of how detailed you can be.
I started including wet notes with my OW student's materials and have them make gear up checklists now. Rather than trying to remember some saying that many seem to forget what each item stands for, a written list reduces the chance of buddies missing something.
Using one for packing does the same thing.
As long as you remember to use the list.

Remember to tick the list off on your list.

Not sure there is a need for as many list as your GF though. Does she have a list of lists?

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

I also use the visualization method and it seems to work for me regardless of the sport.

I look at my feet - boots and fins - check
I look at my legs - knife and wet suit - check
I look at my chest - BCD w/ whistle, tank and reg, light(s), shears, pony bottle and reg, SMB and reel, gopro if needed - check
I look at my arms - gloves, compass, computer, wet notes if needed - check
I think of my head - mask, snorkel, spare mask, and dive flag
All of these go into 2 milk crates for easy carrying.

Also a third milk crate carries - save a kit, spare dive lights, reels, catch bag, batteries, otter box for keys, john line, anything else I might need depending on the dive site (shore vs boat, day vs night), maps or aids...

I have tried a written list but it did not work for me, it would get wet and torn or lost - I always went back to the visual method.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Remember to tick the list off on your list.

Not sure there is a need for as many list as your GF though. Does she have a list of lists?

She does have a folder on her computer with all of them in it.