Emergency Contacts and Check-In Systems:
What New Divers Should Know

Most new divers focus on gear and dive plans, but not enough think about what happens after the dive. If someone doesn’t return, time matters. Someone must notice quickly, and someone must act.

At a Glance

• Purpose: Ensure every diver is accounted for before and after each dive
• Applies to: Charter boats, classes, and informal shore dives
• What’s needed: A roster, clear accountability, basic communication plan
• Outcome: Faster recognition of missing divers and quicker emergency response

Accountability is one of the simplest forms of dive safety. Someone must always know who entered the water, who exited, and who is still underwater. This applies whether you are on a professional charter, in a training class, or diving with friends at a local quarry. When no one is tracking divers, emergencies become harder to recognize and slower to respond to.

Why Diver Accountability Matters

The most important question in any incident is:

“Who is missing, and when did anyone last see them?”

If no one knows the answer, rescue efforts are delayed. On busy boats or crowded quarries, it is surprisingly easy to assume someone else is watching. A simple roster or check-in system prevents confusion and removes guesswork.

When You’re Diving with Instructors or Dive Operators

On charter boats, guided dives, or training classes, the operator is responsible for knowing who is in the water. A competent operation will have:

• A diver roster or roll-call system
• Emergency contact information for every participant
• First aid and O₂ on site
• A clear way to reach EMS or the Coast Guard
• Someone who tracks diver entries and exits

As a new diver, you should expect to see:

• A whiteboard or list showing diver names
• Someone actively checking divers back in after each dive
• Clear identification of who handles emergencies
• Requests for your emergency contact information

If you don’t see any system in place, ask a simple, neutral question:

“Who is tracking entries and exits today?”

A competent operator will answer immediately. If they cannot, that is a red flag.

When You’re Diving with Friends at a Quarry or Local Site

Without a charter captain or instructor, your group becomes the operator. That means someone must take responsibility for tracking divers.

It can be simple:

• Write down diver names before entering the water
• Pair divers and note the buddy teams
• Record entry time and expected return time
• Confirm each diver is out of the water after the dive

If the site has no staff or log sheet, use a small dry-erase board in your car, a notebook in your surface kit, or a laminated card and wetnotes pencil.

When to Tell Someone Outside the Dive Team

For remote sites or areas with poor cell service, let someone not on site know your plan:

• Location of the dive
• Expected entry time and exit time
• Who is diving with you

Personal Note: I send Melissa a quick “I’m out” text after each dive. It’s not formal, but it’s a reliable system. If I ever fail to send it, she knows to follow up. It’s a small safeguard that costs nothing and provides an immediate safety net.