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by Élodie Durand
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Beginner’s checklist for a safe scuba day trip from Puerto del Carmen (gear, gas and surface protocol)

Dec 02, 2025 • by Élodie Durand
Beginner’s checklist for a safe scuba day trip from Puerto del Carmen (gear, gas and surface protocol)

I run regular day trips from Puerto del Carmen and over the years I’ve developed a compact checklist I give to new divers before they join my boat. These are the essentials that keep a day safe, relaxed and enjoyable — gear that actually matters in Lanzarote conditions, simple gas and dive planning rules that fit local profiles, and the surface protocols I insist everyone follows. Below I share that checklist, plus practical tips I use on every trip.

Before you leave home: paperwork & preparation

One tiny admin detail can ruin a day, so I always ask divers to check these items the night before:

  • Valid dive certification card and ID (or digital proof and passport photo)
  • Recent medical declaration / dive medical if required — don’t assume
  • Insurance details (DNV, DAN or your insurer) and emergency contact phone numbers
  • Surface interval / flying rules if you’ve dived in the previous 24–48 hours

    • If you’re travelling light, take photos of documents and store them offline on your phone. I’ve rescued a few nervous divers who’d forgotten their certification — digital proof saved the day.

    Essential personal gear to bring

    Puerto del Carmen boat trips are short, but the Atlantic can throw wind and chill. I always carry my own small kit and recommend everyone brings:

  • Mask and snorkel — a comfortable mask (tempered glass, good seal) is worth packing. I prefer low-volume masks for quick clearing.
  • Fins — open-heel with boots if you plan shore entries later; full-foot for boat-only divers. Bring what you’re competent with.
  • Exposure protection — 3/2mm wetsuit is usually enough for Lanzarote year-round; in winter consider 5mm or a shorty + hood.
  • Surface marker buoy (SMB) and reel/spool — compulsory on many local trips; I carry a 1m orange float and 30m line.
  • Boots and gloves — thin gloves for protection, boots for rocky entries.
  • Dive computer with fresh batteries and backup timing device (watch) — know how to read your console.
  • Small waterproof bag with sun cream, lip balm, water and seasickness pills if you’re prone.

    • If you don’t own everything, most local centres provide kit. Still, masks and dive computers are personal items I encourage divers to bring to ensure fit and familiarity.

    Boat kit and group gear I expect from the operator

    As an instructor I check the boat’s equipment checklist before leaving the marina — you should too. Typical items:

  • Well-maintained cylinders with visible hydro test dates
  • Regulators with recent servicing stickers
  • At least one SMB and surface communication device (VHF or phone)
  • First aid kit, oxygen unit and AED on board
  • Spare masks, fins and weight belts

    • If any of these are missing, ask the skipper. It’s okay to postpone the dive until safety is verified.

    Gas and dive planning — practical rules for day trips

    I keep gas planning simple and conservative for short Atlantic dives around Lanzarote:

  • Start pressure: I aim to begin dives with at least 200–220 bar. For deeper or current-affected sites I prefer 220+ bar.
  • Turn pressure: Minimum 50 bar for shallow no-decompression dives, 70 bar or more if the site is remote or has a long boat pickup.
  • Breathing air or nitrox: Many centres fill nitrox; if you’re using it, confirm the oxygen fraction and set your computer accordingly.
  • Buddy checks: I run BWRAF (Buoyancy, Weights, Releases, Air, Final check) every time on the boat — no exceptions.

    • For groups I coordinate a simple dive plan: max depth, estimated bottom time, exit point, signal for ascent and the buddy pairing. I write the plan visibly on a whiteboard or slip of paper so everyone is clear.

    Descent, bottom time and ascent: long-lived rules

    A few practical habits keep things safe during the dive:

  • Descend slowly and equalise early — Lanzarote volcanic walls can cause fast depth changes and ear trouble.
  • Monitor air frequently — I glance at my gauge every 5 minutes and call out reserve status to my buddy.
  • Watch ascent rate — never faster than 9–10 m/min. Use your computer’s ascent alarm or a timing device if needed.
  • Safety stop — mandatory 3 minutes at 5m for most dives; I extend to 4–5 minutes for deeper or exerting dives.

    • Surface protocols and boat retrieval

    The surface is where problems can escalate, so clear, practiced routines help:

  • Deploy your SMB on ascent if the skipper has asked — avoid inflating inside waves; inflate at 6–3 metres depth.
  • Signal the boat once surfaced with a wave and, if needed, with whistle/torch during low visibility or wind.
  • Float with your mask on and regulator in mouth until the crew helps — removing gear too early risks losing it in swell.
  • If you’re separated from your buddy, surface and stay put, deploy SMB and use signalling devices — the boat will circle back.

    • On our trips the crew notes each diver’s exit order and ticks names when they board. I recommend you confirm this procedure before jumping in.

    Local hazards and site-specific tips for Puerto del Carmen

    Puerto del Carmen offers easy wrecks and reefs but watch for:

  • Wind-driven swell — it can create strong surge near rocky entries.
  • Currents between islands and along volcanic headlands — ask the skipper about tide windows.
  • Sharp volcanic rock — decent boots and careful finning save a lot of grazes and broken fins.

    • My favourite local tweaks: plan drift-friendly sites on ebb currents, keep a light SMB for visibility against the dark water, and carry a small signal mirror for daytime surface signalling when needed.

    Emergency contacts and communication

    Emergency (Spain)112
    Local coast guard (Lanzarote)+34 928 81 10 26
    DAN Europe+44 1865 407333 (check membership)

    Keep these numbers stored offline on your phone and share them with your buddy. If you dive with me, I also carry a VHF and a charged phone in a waterproof case — redundancy matters.

    Packing checklist you can screenshot

  • Certification + ID (photo copy offline)
  • Dive computer + backup watch
  • Mask, snorkel, fins, boots
  • Exposure suit (3/2mm or 5mm in winter)
  • SMB + reel/spool
  • Surface signalling devices (whistle, torch)
  • Sunscreen, water, snacks
  • Insurance card, emergency contacts

    • Brands I often use and recommend for local conditions: Mares or Scubapro masks (comfortable fit), Atomic or Suunto dive computers (reliable interfaces), and a simple nylon SMB like the Fishbone or Cressi models — they’re robust and easy to pack.

    Follow these steps and you’ll cut down the small hassles that turn a good day into a great one. If you want, send me your planned site and I’ll give quick feedback on gas plans and timing — I do this for almost every guided trip from Puerto del Carmen.

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