Complete UK Dive Gear Checklist
Comprehensive dive gear checklist for UK diving. Essential equipment, cold water additions, boat vs shore diving differences. BSAC & PADI approved lists.
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Browse All GuidesForgetting essential gear ruins dive days. This comprehensive checklist covers UK-specific requirements for both shore and boat diving.
## Quick Reference
| Dive Type | Critical Items | Common Forgotten |
|---|---|---|
| Shore Dive | SMB, torch, changing robe | Thermos, car keys location |
| Boat Dive | Seasickness meds, cash | Dry bag, sun protection |
| Winter Dive | Dry gloves, hand warmers | Extra base layers |
| Multi-Day Trip | Spare batteries, repair kit | Enough rinse water |
*Print this checklist and tick off items before leaving home*
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## Core Diving Equipment
Mask (tested with hood)
Snorkel (for surface swimming)
Fins (with boots for UK open heel)
Wetsuit or drysuit (7mm minimum for year-round UK)
Hood (essential for UK, 5-7mm)
Gloves (3mm summer, 5mm winter minimum)
Boots (sized for your fins)
BCD (weight capacity for UK requirements)
Regulator with octopus (cold water rated, sealed first stage)
Dive computer (fresh battery)
Weight belt or integrated weights (8-12kg typical for UK)
Cylinder (own or hire arranged)
Safety Equipment
Surface marker buoy (SMB) and reel (essential for UK diving)
Dive knife or cutting tool (kelp, fishing line hazards)
Torch (primary, even daytime)
Backup torch (recommended)
Whistle (surface signalling)
Mirror or signalling device (surface location)
UK-Specific Additions
Save-a-dive kit:
Extra mask strap
Extra fin straps
Zip ties
O-rings (standard sizes)
Mask defog
Neoprene glue
Tool kit (basic screwdrivers, Allen keys)
Spare batteries (torch, computer if applicable)
Boat Diving Additions
Mesh gear bag (drains water)
Dry bag (for dry items on deck)
Seasickness medication (if needed)
Warm layers for boat travel
Waterproof jacket
Sunscreen (yes, even in UK)
Cash for charter fees
Food and water
Reef hook (for drift diving)
Shore Diving Additions
Gear crate or trolley (for long walks)
Walking boots or sturdy shoes (approach to site)
Changing robe or mat (UK car park changing)
Thermos with hot drink (post-dive warming)
Towels (multiple for UK weather)
Snacks (for between dives)
Seasonal Adjustments
Summer (June-September):
5mm wetsuit may suffice for warm days
3mm gloves acceptable
Thinner hood (5mm)
Sun protection essential
Winter (December-March):
7mm semi-dry or drysuit essential
5mm or dry gloves
7mm hood minimum
Extra warm layers for surface
Hand warmers
Pre-Dive Verification
Before leaving home:
Computer battery checked
Regulator dust cap secure
All straps and buckles functional
No visible damage to equipment
Save-a-dive kit stocked
Insurance and certification cards
Emergency contact information
Before entering water:
Buddy check complete
Weight check done
Computer on and functioning
SMB accessible
Regulator breathing test
Post-Dive Protocol
Rinse all equipment in fresh water
Dry completely before packing
Log dive with computer data
Note any equipment issues for repair
Check for lost or damaged items
Emergency Information to Carry
UK Coastguard: 999 or VHF Channel 16
DAN Europe emergency: +39 06 4211 5685
Nearest recompression chamber location
Your emergency contact details
Your insurance policy number
## UK Dive Site Essentials by Location
Different UK dive sites have specific requirements worth noting.
Cornwall and Devon (South West) Generally better visibility. Warmer summer temperatures (14-16°C surface). Strong currents at many sites. Reef hooks useful for drift diving. Shore access can involve long walks with gear.
Dorset and Hampshire (South) Portland and Swanage offer excellent diving. Boat diving common. Current awareness critical. Many wrecks require torches even in summer.
Scotland (Scapa Flow and West Coast) Cold year-round (8-12°C). Drysuit recommended. Excellent visibility in Scapa Flow. Remote locations require extra planning. Ensure sufficient thermal protection and backup equipment.
Wales and North West Variable conditions. Strong tides at many sites. Shore diving popular. Holyhead and Pembrokeshire offer good visibility windows.
East Coast Generally poorer visibility. Cold water. Strong currents. Many wreck sites. Torches essential. Drysuit extends season significantly.
## Common Mistakes UK Divers Make
Learn from others' errors to avoid your own ruined dive days.
Underestimating cold: Even summer UK diving is cold by global standards. Always bring more thermal protection than you think you'll need.
Forgetting the hood: Heat loss from your head is massive. A forgotten hood can make diving uncomfortable or unsafe.
No SMB: Many UK sites have boat traffic. Surfacing without an SMB is dangerous. Always carry one, always deploy it.
Dead batteries: Computer, torch, and camera batteries fail at the worst moments. Check before every trip. Carry spares.
Insufficient weight for drysuit: Switching from wetsuit to drysuit changes your weight requirements. Test buoyancy before committed dives.
No backup torch: UK visibility means torches are essential, not optional. When your primary fails, you need a backup.
## Building Your Gear Bag System
Organised packing prevents forgotten items.
The staged approach: Pack in reverse order of use. Items needed first go in last. Mask and computer on top, weights at bottom.
Dedicated dive bag: Keep all non-perishable items permanently packed. Defog, spare straps, tools, and save-a-dive kit live in the bag.
Checklist app: Use a phone app with recurring checklist. Tick items as you pack. Reset after each trip.
The night-before rule: Pack completely the night before. Last-minute packing leads to forgotten essentials.
## Our Recommendation
Print or save this checklist. Check it before every UK dive trip. Forgotten equipment is preventable. A disciplined gear check takes five minutes and prevents ruined dive days.
## Not Sure What You're Missing?
Take our quiz to identify any gear gaps in your current setup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What extra gear do I need for UK cold water diving?
Beyond standard dive equipment, UK cold water requires: 5mm or 7mm hood (essential year-round), 5mm gloves minimum (dry gloves for winter), thermal rash vest under wetsuit, thick exposure suit (7mm wetsuit or drysuit), and possibly a hooded vest for extra warmth. For UK boat diving, add warm dry clothes, waterproof bag, seasickness medication, and hot flask. UK shore diving requires hiking boots for approaches, torch for UK's limited daylight in winter, and surface marker buoy.
What should I bring for UK shore diving versus boat diving?
UK shore diving additions: sturdy boots/trainers for rocky walks, torch (many UK shore sites have overhangs), surface marker buoy and reel (SMB essential for UK currents), compass for navigation, gear crate or trolley for equipment transport, warm clothes and changing robe for exposed car parks. UK boat diving: less walking gear needed but bring seasickness meds (British seas can be rough), warm layers, secure equipment bag, and cash for charter fees. Both require reef hooks for UK drift diving.
Do I need a dive torch for daytime UK diving?
Yes, a torch is highly recommended for UK diving even in daylight. British waters have limited visibility (average 3-10m), and many wrecks, reefs, and caves benefit from illumination to see colours (red spectrum disappears at shallow depths). UK winter diving (November-February) has only 6-8 hours daylight, and popular sites under piers or in kelp forests are dark at any time. A compact 1000-lumen torch (£40-80) is sufficient for UK recreational diving.
Should I bring backup equipment for UK diving?
For UK dive trips, bring backup mask (£30-40), spare torch batteries, and save-a-dive kit (fin straps, mask strap, cable ties, o-rings). Many UK dive sites are remote (Scotland, Cornwall, Pembrokeshire) with no dive shops nearby. Boat charters typically carry some spares but not in your size. If diving drysuits, bring puncture repair kit and spare seals. UK weather is unpredictable - having backups means you don't waste precious diving days due to minor equipment failures.
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