Ben’s PreDIVE Equipment Checklist

Written By Ben Grau

When I pack for a day’s worth of scuba diving, I go through my “bona fide” checklist to make sure I have everything I need. While you can (and should) go through everything in your head, a checklist where you can physically cross something off just adds another level of reassurance.

So when Michael asked me to share my checklist to make sure he didn’t forget anything on his next dive, I figured I’d share my list here too! The key for me is to keep it light. Whether it’s diving off a 20 ft boat or preparing for a shore dive from the back of your car, it’s a lot easier when you have just a couple bags and you can know exactly which pack you packed everything. There are four “bags” that I organize things into:

  1. Wet bag (or crate): For gear that can and will get wet

  2. Dry bag: For gear that can’t get wet

  3. Tank+BC+Regulator: Hooked up, tested the night before for leaks, and ready to dive

  4. Spare tank(s): For second dive, and any bailout or stage bottles

boat diving gear checklist setup

My gear packed for a day of boat diving: one wet bag, one dry bag, one tank with BC and reg setup, and other tanks

Your list could vary if you have other needs, of course, but this checklist has worked well for me for small boat diving, which tends to be the place where you have the least room for your gear. I also mark items where spares are particularly useful with “X2.” Without further ado, here’s my list! Organized by “bag”:

Wet bag or crate:

  • Fins

  • Booties

  • Wetsuit OR Drysuit

  • Gloves X2

  • Hood

  • Mask X2

  • Defog

  • Weight belt and weights (if needed)

  • Computer (with compass)

  • Knives / cutting devices

  • Camera / housing (if desired)

  • Wreck reel

  • Lift bag

  • SMB

  • Finger spool

  • Speargun (if spearfishing)

  • Stringer (if spearfishing)

  • Flashlights (if needed)

  • Slate (for tech)

  • Backup timing device (for tech)

  • Backup depth device (for tech)

  • Jon line (if needed)

Dry Bag:

  • Sunscreen

  • Sunglasses

  • Clothing

  • Towel

  • Water

  • Snacks/lunch

  • Seasickness meds

  • First aid kit

  • Save-a-dive kit

Tank(s)+BC+Regulator:

  • Tank

  • BC

  • Regulator

  • Second tank

  • Bailout+reg

  • Stage+reg

Let me know if I missed anything, but this checklist has served me well so far!

Ben Grau
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