What is your pre-dive checklist?

[Land Locked]

Over the years I've developed in my head my pre-dive routine, it is pretty
well wrote on what I'm going to do. I'm wondering if most divers go through
their own pre-dive routine and what steps you take?

Here is my standard mental pre-dive check list. Any additions, thoughts?

1. Visual my tank O-ring to make sure it was not damaged on the last fill, one
certain LDS had a habit of damaging them.
2. Mount my BC and verify the cam band by a tug, I had a broken buckle once.
3. Attach the lp inflator hose and give it a tug.
4. Turn on air, full, 1/4 turn back, check pressure.
5. Operate inflator and dumps, check dump valves making sure they are tight,
I had a shoulder dump once that had unscrewed.
6. Turn on dive computer, one is auto, one is not.
7. Set EAN% if needed.
8. Suit up, defog mask.
9. Buddy check - sadly - not always performed.
10. Pre-dive breathe through both regs while checking SPG.
11. Bubble check dive buddy on initial decent.
12. Get comfortable and ENJOY this great sport!!!!

I know I've skipped some of the minor details, such as installing the regulator
on the tank, "given," but this is my standard pre-dive routine................

 

[loosebits]

Only thing I'd add is an S-drill on decent. Also, it is helpful if you and your buddy go through these checks together (one of you call them out) that way you know he's done it as well.

FYI, the 1/4" turn back thing isn't really a good idea anymore. New valves don't have a problem with freezing. It's a solution to a problem with valves made in the 60's and 70's.

 

[TSandM]

A friend added a piece for me -- when you breathe the regs, do it in the water, and submerge your face while you do it. That makes sure you don't have an exhaust valve problem.

 

[Darnold9999]

A friend added a piece for me -- when you breathe the regs, do it in the water, and submerge your face while you do it. That makes sure you don't have an exhaust valve problem.

Would modify this a bit having nearly fallen into the water with air turned off. I always prebreath while looking at the spg before I get into a position where it is possible to trip and fall into water, and have gotten into the habit of walking into the water from shore with reg in mouth mask off if there is any possibility of a fall. That way if I fall climbing over logs/rocks etc. I can switch from breathing through my nose to mouth. No mask I can deal with, no air is a little more difficult. Another arguement for the bungied second stage, but I haven't got there yet.

 

[TSandM]

Yeah . . . I always take two breaths off each reg after I've gotten everything arranged (usually still sitting on the back of the car). That's because I know from experience that it takes me four breaths to empty the system, if it's been pressurized and the valve is off. Then I do the buddy check breaths with my face submerged.

I never step into the water without my wing well inflated (and, of course, I have a bungied backup). I fall down all too often

 

[Land Locked]

I guess I should add, these are my POM, "Peace of mind checks."

I prefer to check my regs in the water, good point TSandM! Not every
dive allows for an in the water check, I check my regs after air on and
in the water if possible.

loosebits, I had no idea that the 1/4 turn back was outdated,
I wonder why it is still taught to this day?

Not every dive buddy is a regular, and I don't know if I could really do an OOA
with an instabuddy other than in the pre-dive briefing!

Something to think about, thanks for your input!

 

[TSandM]

Chris, just something to think about . . . If you are diving with an instabuddy and you haven't done an air share drill, how do you know that that buddy would be able to give you air in an emergency, and able to execute a controlled ascent or exit? We had a fatality here not long ago which was related to precisely that scenario (although it wasn't an instabuddy. But it was an OOA and a problematic ascent.) Made me think about what kind of dives I'm willing to do with someone (eg. a novice diver, because I like to go out with them) who I can't count on in that circumstance.

 

[H2Andy]

inspect all gear the day before dive
charge/replace batteries day before dive

discuss dive plan with buddies

attach bp/wings
--check knife
--check backup lights on

attach first stages
--check tank pressure
--breathe both regs

attach ligth canister
--connect battery
--make sure 02 free of dirt
--secure lid

attach primary and safety reel to butt d-ring

put on drysuit
--check spare mask in pocket
--check cookies and line arrows clipped to pocket
-check spool(s) clipped to pocket
--check writing pad in pocket
--check EMT sheers in pocket

wear computer. check it is set to right mixes

wear backup watch

check fins

check mask
--initially defog mask (spit and rub but do not rinse; will do again in water)

check hood

put on tanks

deploy backup regulator around neck

deploy primary regulator under arm, around chest, and around neck

deploy primary light on right arm

walk to water and try not to faint

inflate wing

test primary reg

test secondary reg

put on fins and hood

enter water

spit on mask and rinse with water; put mask on

do pre-dive check (head-to-toe, including wet reg breathing, inflator hose, drysuit hose, primary light on)

do s-drills (full version or hose deploy only)

bubble check

check gas; calculate thirds; calculate turn pressure (adjust for size diferential if applicable)

describe the dive plan to make sure we're all on the same page

go diving and have a blast!

 

[Land Locked]

Ah, the Master H2Andy has arrived! Now, can we have the non-fundies
version of said scenario? Me thinks he has it pretty well covered!

TSandM,
I'm reminded of a situation where on a 6pack in the Keys, my regular dive buddy had ear problems, actually ruptured an ear drum, after I returned him to the boat I ended
up finishing the dive with a couple of total strangers. They had no concept of buddy
diving, had no connection with each other and I knew I could not rely on either one
in case of an emergency. This is where I have to rely upon myself and my skills to
be confident in my gear as a matter of survival.

Don't get me wrong, and I'm not trolling here, what do individual divers do in their
mind, pre-dive, that settles their mind that they are going to be all right!

 

[H2Andy]

Ah, the Master H2Andy has arrived! Now, can we have the non-fundies
version of said scenario? Me thinks he has it pretty well covered!

dude, i am such a geek that i have that memorized ...



and yes, i do that every single dive. you may accuse me of being over-zealous, but i am at least consistently so

(i'm not sure if that's a defense... yes, i am annoying, but at least i am consistently annoying!)