Dive Briefing--Unpacking the SEABAG

Before entering the water, divers are encouraged to do a pre-dive briefing.  The challenge is what to include in the predive briefing?  A commonly used mnemonic device (a memory technique to help the brain better encode and recall important information and a real great word for Scrabble) that I was taught by my open water course instructor is SEABAG.

Site Assessment, Emergency Procedures, Activity,

Buoyancy, Air, Gear check and go

Site Assessment

• Name of the location--not every location has a name that people recognize, which is OK unless you have to call for help.  Telling an emergency services dispatcher after calling 9-1-1 that you are at "Depressions" (a local surf spot in Santa Barbara County) is as much of a description of a place as it is a state of mind.
• Entry and exit points--where to we plan to enter and exit.  These may not be the same place, be sure to reconnoiter both.
• Environmental conditions--surf, rip currents, rocks, flooding or receding tide, time of high or low tide, fog or any other factor that may be useful to know
• Other activities in the area such as surfing, fishing, boating. 

Emergency Procedures

• Local emergency response (This could be Divemaster, Lifeguards, Fire/Paramedic, harbor Patrol/Coast Guard) and how to activate the response).
• Location of the first aid kit and oxygen if you have these items on site.
• Location of cellular phone (in my day, it was location of nearest phone and change to make the call).  Nowadays it might be prudent to check cellphone reception prior to the dive.
• Lost buddy procedure if you become separated.

Activity

• What we are going to do?
• General route of the dive.
• Who is going to lead?
• What gear do you need for the activity?
• What signals do you use for descend, ascend, air check or any others you think are good

 Buoyancy

• Are you using a buoyancy compensation device?  Does it fill and release air?
• Do you have the weights?
• Are you weighted for your wetsuit and conditions?
• Check each diver's weight system.  This used to be called a "weight belt." With today's myriad of integrated weight systems, it is nice to know for each diver to know where the buddy's weight is carried and how to ditch it.

 Air

• Is your air on?
• How much of it do you have?
• Do your regulators work?

Gear check and go

• Does your buddy look like a diver?  Do a head to toe scan.  Is the gear properly rigged?
• Do you have everything you need for the dives?  (Computer, depth gage, compass, camera, float and flag, lights, game bag)

When I engage in scientific diving, a formal checklist is used and completed by the dive tender.  Most sport diving experiences do not require that level of formality or record keeping, so SEABAG is a good way to organize the briefing.