Surface Support Checklist
Whoever stays on the surface during a dive -- a boat crew member, a shore-based support person -- has a specific job: know who's in the water, watch for signs of trouble, and be ready to act. This checklist is for that role specifically.
Confirm roster, signals, and emergency access
Track time, watch for signs of the team's position
Account for every diver against the roster
Before the team enters the water
- Confirm the full roster of who's diving and expected bottom time
- Confirm the surface signal for "okay" vs. "need help"
- Confirm emergency equipment location and how to reach emergency services
While the team is underwater
- Track elapsed time against the planned dive window
- Watch for bubbles, SMBs, or other signs of the team's position
- Stay ready to act on the agreed emergency procedure if a diver surfaces early or off-course
As divers return
- Account for every diver against the roster before standing down
- Note any reported problems for the debrief
Attentiveness, not equipment, is the job
Most diver-in-distress situations in DAN's incident data are resolved because someone on the surface noticed early and already knew what to do -- not because of specialized rescue gear. The job this checklist supports is watching closely and following a clear procedure, not owning more equipment.
Dive Backup organizes information entered by the dive team. It does not calculate whether a dive is safe or replace training, certification, professional judgment, dive computers, agency standards, or a live predive briefing.
Filling this in on paper works until conditions change or a diver drops out. Dive Backup turns it into a shared, reviewable plan your whole team can see, so nothing gets decided verbally and forgotten.
Try Dive Backup freeNo signup to start -- free forever for a single diver