Night Dive Checklist for a Safe Diving Excursion

A night dive needs more coordination than a daytime trip: every diver must be cleared, paired with a buddy and equipped for low visibility. This checklist helps you work through bookings, medical details, transport, equipment and safety in the right order. Use it to confirm tanks are filled, dive computers are charged and emergency equipment is ready before leaving. Make the go/no-go decision only after checking the forecast and conditions at the site.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Send invitations
Process registrations
Check certificates
Collect medical information
Collect dietary requirements
Reserve diving location
Reserve diving gear
Arrange transportation
Check dive insurance
Create a dive plan
2 people
Assign buddy pairs
Collect emergency contacts
Share the route and parking spot
Check the weather forecast
Decide go/no-go for the dive
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Pick up rented equipment
2 people
Have scuba tanks filled
Charge dive computers
Prepare food
2 people
Pack materials and documents
2 people
Load vehicles
3 people

Event

Set up dive site
3 people
Register participants
2 people
Hand out diving equipment
3 people
Give the safety briefing
2 people
Carry out the buddy check
6 people
Guide the first dive
3 people
Check divers after surfacing
2 people
Serve drinks and snacks
2 people
Swap diving cylinders
3 people
Refill drinks
Guide the second dive
3 people
Rinse dive equipment
3 people
Serve dinner
3 people
Collect materials and waste
3 people

Aftercare

Check diving equipment
2 people
Leave the venue clean
3 people
Unload vehicles
3 people
Return rental equipment
2 people
Return dive tanks
Wash reusable tableware
2 people
Dry wetsuits and equipment
2 people
Store materials clean and dry
2 people
Dispose of waste separately

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 3
Folding chairsqty 14
Foldable clothes racksqty 2
Dress-up matsqty 4

Equipment

Diving cylindersqty 24
Flotation vestsqty 12
Diving regulatorsqty 12
Dive computersqty 12
Diving gogglesqty 12
Snorkelsqty 12
Diving finsqty 12
Diving suitsqty 12
Lead beltsqty 12
Lead weightsqty 144
Surface buoysqty 4
Lines with reelqty 4
Compass instrumentsqty 6
Diving flagsqty 2

Safety

First aid kit
Oxygen kit for diving accidents
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Whistlesqty 12

Lighting

Dive lightsqty 12
Headlampsqty 12
LED lanternsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 2
Ice packsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 30
Reusable platesqty 20
Reusable cutleryqty 20

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Drying racksqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Check certifications, medical information and dive insurance before confirming places. Collect emergency contacts at the same time so you are not chasing missing details on the day.
Reserve the dive site, rental equipment and transport early, then share the route and parking instructions with every participant at least 24 hours before departure.
Charge every dive computer and test dive lights and headlamps before packing. Bring backup lighting because a single failed light can end a night dive early.
Set buddy pairs before arrival and include them in the dive plan. Confirm each pair knows the entry point, surface-buoy procedure, communication signals and return plan.
Prepare hot drinks and food before loading the vehicles, and keep them in insulated flasks or coolers. Set up tables, changing mats and lighting at the site so divers can change without handling gear in the dark.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a night dive?: Start booking the dive site, equipment and transport at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Send invitations early enough to collect certifications, medical details, dietary requirements and emergency contacts before the final headcount.
What should I check on the day of a night dive?: Check the weather, water conditions, equipment, filled tanks, charged computers and working lights on the day itself. Make the go/no-go decision before participants unload or enter the water, ideally 2 to 3 hours before the planned dive.
How many lights does each night diver need?: Plan one primary dive light and one backup light per diver. Test both before departure, and keep spare batteries or charged replacements with the group rather than leaving all lighting with one person.
When should I assign buddy pairs for a night dive?: Assign buddy pairs at least 24 hours before the excursion and include them in the written dive plan. Reconfirm the pairs during registration, before issuing equipment and again at the entry point.

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