Marking Gear

[JamesD]

I recently started considering marking my Gear, since I almost lost some of it last dive (my Light Cannon decided to go walkies from where it was attached to my BC) and because a lot of people from our LDS dive the same gear,

What do people use to mark gear with ? What do you consider works "well" also what info do you personally put on gear.

 

[Rick Murchison]

First of all, many pieces are already marked. I record all serial numbers in my log book, and don't attempt to make any addidtional marks on things like regulator first stages. For other items I use either an indellible paint pen (silver or white) or a "magic marker" (black) depending on what will show up better.
Rick

 

[TexasMike]

I use an orange "solidified" paint marker we use for marking auto parts here at my auto recycling yard. So far as long as nothing rubs continuously against the marked area, it stays on pretty good.

If you'd like to get one of these from me, send me a PM and we can arrange it.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

The *best* solution is to prevent your gear being mixed up
with others but that does not help if it is dropped in the water.

I once found a nice backup light underwater that had a very odd attachment so I could not "pocket it". I carried it throughout the dive and when I surfaced I asked someone on the boat "can you grab this light?" and I heard someone say "Hey, that's my light. It was on my camera and fell off when I jumped in." "Well", said I, "now I know why it is in such good condition." Anyway, I returned it and when I later ordered some prints of pictures he had taken he charged me a reduced rate.

Therefore ... realize that you WILL lose gear so the best you can hope for is to mark as much as possible and hope that if it is
lost (marked or not) it will be found by an honest person on the same dive.

If the gear is a light enough color I mark it with a *permanent*
marker with my name.

If the gear is black I do what I can to make it somewhat
"unique".

For example:

my fins are SCUBAPro Jetfins with the straps reversed and taped
and plastic "pull tabs" on the straps.

my masks are prescription and the straps have been trimmed and
duct taped.

my gloves/mitts/hood won't fit anyone else anyway but COULD
be marked with a small piece of white duct tape.

my reels have my name written/embossed on the body.

My primary light has my name written on the cannister.

Can us WHITE duct tape with name written on it to mark
other dark-bodied lights.

My tanks are either no-paint or light paint color (and my name written on them) or BLACK and the paint is chipped so noone wants them ;-)

Most of my gauges have "home made" shock-cord "straps"
so they are unlikely to be mistaken by anyone else for theirs.

 

[devjr]

By all means, do mark it. Use a Sharpie permanent marker for your wet suit, tank and light colored mask(stationary store or grocery). For black rubber or canvas, get a paint stick with yellow rubberized paint.(dive shop). Sand the fins or mask lightly, clean with alcohol, and use the paint stick like a pen. Will last for years. For regs, use a Sharpie or a tape writer. For absolutely permanent marks, use the vibrating stencil(hardware store). For dive bag, secure a metal tag(stencil)with a cable tie or similar.

 

[SaltyWhale]

Whatever you do, do not carve your equipment to mark it.

I've seen a smart fellow did it to his fins at the foot pocket. It surely didn't last long. How silly can one be...?