Pre-Dive Safety Checklist: Complete Guide
Essential safety checks every diver must perform before entering the water
Reading time: 8 minutes | By ScuPlan Safety Team
Safety First!
Pre-dive safety checks are NOT optional. Skipping these steps has resulted in preventable diving accidents. Every professional diver, regardless of experience, performs these checks before every dive. This is not paranoia—it's discipline that saves lives.
Why Pre-Dive Checks Matter
The underwater environment is unforgiving. Equipment malfunctions, buddy separation, or poor dive planning can turn a fun dive into an emergency situation. Pre-dive safety checks serve three critical purposes:
- Equipment Verification: Ensure all gear functions properly
- Dive Planning Review: Confirm the dive plan with your buddy
- Risk Assessment: Identify and mitigate potential hazards
According to DAN (Divers Alert Network), equipment-related issues contribute to approximately 15-20% of diving fatalities. Most of these could have been prevented with proper pre-dive checks.
The BWRAF Checklist
BWRAF (also known as BEGIN in some agencies) is the industry-standard mnemonic for buddy equipment checks. Perform this with your buddy, checking each other's equipment systematically.
B - BCD (Buoyancy Compensator Device)
- ✅ Inflation: Press inflator button—does it work? Is there sufficient airflow?
- ✅ Deflation: Test both deflation valves (shoulder dump and bottom dump)
- ✅ Straps: All buckles secure? Shoulder, waist, and crotch straps fastened?
- ✅ Hose routing: No twisted or pinched hoses?
- ✅ Oral inflator: Functional backup inflation method
W - Weights
- ✅ Amount: Correct weight for your exposure suit and conditions?
- ✅ Distribution: Balanced left/right, no uncomfortable pressure points?
- ✅ Quick Release: Weight system can be ditched with ONE hand in emergency?
- ✅ Integrated weights: Pockets securely closed and locked?
- ✅ Practice: Confirm you know how to release buddy's weights
R - Releases
- ✅ Tank strap: Tight enough? Tank doesn't move when pulled?
- ✅ BCD releases: Know location of all buckles and clips
- ✅ Practice removal: Can you quickly remove your BCD if needed?
- ✅ Buddy's gear: Familiarize yourself with your buddy's release mechanisms
A - Air
- ✅ Tank pressure: Full tank (200-230 bar / 3000-3300 PSI)?
- ✅ Valve: Tank valve FULLY open (then backed off 1/4 turn)
- ✅ Breathe: Take several deep breaths from regulator—smooth airflow?
- ✅ Octopus: Test backup regulator—breathes easily?
- ✅ Gas type: Verify Nitrox percentage if using enriched air
- ✅ Smell test: Air should be odorless (no oil or chemical smell)
F - Final Check
- ✅ Mask: Fits properly, strap not twisted, defog applied?
- ✅ Fins: Heel straps secure, no cracks or damage?
- ✅ Computer: Activated, correct gas mix programmed, battery OK?
- ✅ Gauges: SPG (Submersible Pressure Gauge) readable and functioning?
- ✅ Accessories: Knife/cutter, light, DSMB, whistle attached and accessible?
- ✅ Dive plan: Buddy understands max depth, bottom time, and emergency procedures?
Personal Health & Fitness Check
Your physical and mental state is as important as equipment checks. Ask yourself these questions:
Physical Fitness
- ❓ Did I get adequate sleep (6+ hours)?
- ❓ Am I well-hydrated? (Dehydration increases DCS risk)
- ❓ Have I consumed alcohol in the last 12 hours? STOP if yes
- ❓ Do I have any cold, flu, or congestion symptoms? STOP if yes
- ❓ Am I on any new medications that might impair judgment?
- ❓ Do I feel any unusual fatigue or weakness?
Environmental Fitness
- ❓ Have I flown in the last 24 hours? (Residual nitrogen from previous dives)
- ❓ Is this within my training and certification limits?
- ❓ Do I have a flight scheduled within 18 hours after this dive? Plan accordingly
- Alcohol consumption within 12 hours
- Any respiratory illness or congestion
- Feeling "not quite right" or unusually anxious
- Equipment malfunctions that cannot be immediately fixed
- Conditions exceed your training or comfort level
Remember: There will always be another dive. A canceled dive is better than an accident.
Environmental & Dive Site Assessment
Water Conditions
- 🌊 Visibility: How far can you see? Will buddy separation be risky?
- 🌊 Currents: Strong currents present? Drift dive or anchor dive?
- 🌊 Water temperature: Is your exposure suit appropriate?
- 🌊 Waves/surf: Can you safely enter and exit the water?
- 🌊 Tide: Incoming, outgoing, or slack? How will it affect your dive?
Site-Specific Hazards
- ⚠️ Boat traffic
- ⚠️ Fishing lines or nets
- ⚠️ Marine life (jellyfish, sea urchins, etc.)
- ⚠️ Wreck penetration hazards
- ⚠️ Overhead environments (caves, kelp forests)
Weather Forecast
- ☀️ Forecast for next 2-4 hours
- ⛈️ Any storm warnings?
- 🌬️ Wind speed and direction
Dive Plan Review with Buddy
Before entering the water, review the following with your dive buddy:
Basic Plan
- 📍 Entry/Exit Points: Where are we entering? Where will we exit?
- 📏 Maximum Depth: What is our planned max depth?
- ⏱️ Bottom Time: How long will we stay down?
- 🧭 Navigation: What course/direction are we following?
- 🔄 Turnaround Point: Air pressure or time to turn back?
Air Management (Rule of Thirds)
Rule of Thirds: A safe air management strategy
- ⅓ of air: Descent and outward journey
- ⅓ of air: Return journey
- ⅓ of air: Reserve for emergencies
Example: 200 bar tank → Turn around at 133 bar, surface with 66 bar minimum.
Emergency Procedures
- 🚨 Lost Buddy: Search pattern (1 minute, then surface)
- 🚨 Out of Air: Air sharing procedure, octopus location
- 🚨 Surface Separation: Where to reunite? (boat, shore, buoy)
- 🚨 Emergency Contact: Who to call? DAN hotline: +1-919-684-9111
- 🚨 Emergency Equipment: DSMB, whistle, light locations confirmed
Download Free Printable Checklist
Get our waterproof-ready PDF checklist for your dive slate or logbook!
Includes:
- BWRAF checklist
- Personal health check
- Dive plan template
- Emergency contacts
Recommended Checklist Tools
Dive Slates with Checklists
Waterproof slates with pre-printed checklists for underwater reference.
View on AmazonWaterproof Logbooks
Record your dive plans and checklists in durable waterproof logbooks.
View on AmazonAffiliate links - purchases support ScuPlan's free tools
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing the checks: Take your time. 5-10 minutes of thorough checking is time well spent.
- Skipping checks on familiar equipment: Even your own gear needs checking every dive.
- Not checking buddy's equipment: You may need to operate their gear in an emergency.
- Ignoring small issues: "It's probably fine" has led to accidents. Fix or replace.
- Diving when uncomfortable: Trust your gut. If something feels off, investigate or cancel.
Related ScuPlan Resources
Remember: Every Dive, Every Time
Pre-dive safety checks are a fundamental part of responsible diving. They take 5-10 minutes but can prevent hours of problems—or save your life. Make them a habit, not a chore.
The best divers aren't fearless. They're prepared.
Quick BWRAF Checklist
Emergency Contacts
DAN Emergency Hotline:
+1-919-684-9111 (24/7)
Local Emergency:
Your country's emergency number
Save these numbers in your phone before diving!