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 GuidesNothing kills the buzz of a dive day quite like arriving at the coast and realising your hood is hanging on the bathroom door. Or your torch batteries are dead. Or you forgot the changing robe and it's February. This checklist exists because we've all been there.
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 open heel)
Wetsuit or drysuit (7mm minimum for year-round cold water)
Hood (essential for cold water, 5-7mm)
Gloves (3mm summer, 5mm winter minimum)
Boots (sized for your fins)
BCD (weight capacity for cold water requirements)
Regulator with octopus (cold water rated, sealed first stage)
Dive computer (fresh battery)
Weight belt or integrated weights (8-12kg typical for cold water)
Cylinder (own or hire arranged)
Safety Equipment
Surface marker buoy (SMB) and reel (essential for cold water 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)
Cold Water 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, always)
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 (parking lot changing)
Thermos with hot drink (post-dive warming)
Towels (multiple for variable 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
Coast Guard: 911 or VHF Channel 16
DAN Europe emergency: +39 06 4211 5685
Nearest recompression chamber location
Your emergency contact details
Your insurance policy number
Dive Site Essentials
Different 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 Divers Make
Learn from others' errors to avoid your own ruined dive days.
Underestimating cold: Even summer cold water 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 dive 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: Typical cold water visibility means torches are essential, not optional. When your primary fails mid-wreck, 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 this checklist. Stick it inside your gear bag. Check it before every trip. Five minutes of discipline prevents an entire day of frustration.
Still building your kit? Our beginner's gear guide covers the smart buying order, and we have specific recommendations for computers, regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, and masks.
Not Sure What You're Missing?
Take our quiz to identify any gear gaps in your current setup.
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