What should divers do before a dive to ensure equipment readiness?

Performing a comprehensive pre-dive equipment check is essential for divers to ensure that all gear is functioning properly and is secure before entering the water. This thorough inspection involves checking each piece of equipment, including the regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD), tank valve, weights, and any accessories, to confirm they are in good working condition.

This practice not only enhances safety by identifying any potential issues with the equipment that could lead to failures underwater but also familiarizes the diver with their gear. It allows divers to feel confident in what they are using and ensures that they are prepared for the dive conditions they will encounter. Regularly executing this check becomes part of building good diving habits and contributes to a safe diving experience.

While conducting an environmental assessment is also important, it does not specifically address the readiness of the diving equipment itself. Wearing all gear and jumping into the water bypasses the critical step of ensuring that equipment is functioning, and checking only tank pressure is insufficient since divers rely on multiple pieces of gear throughout the dive.