A dive computer that fails at depth transforms a relaxing underwater adventure into a dangerous guessing game—and the problem almost always traces back to rushed pre-dive setup. In this episode, Marcus Okafor walks through the systematic verification checklist he's refined across thousands of dives, from tropical reefs to cold-water wrecks. Whether you're a new diver still learning your equipment or an experienced one who can't shake that nagging feeling you've forgotten something, this step-by-step routine covers everything from battery checks to algorithm configuration so you can focus on enjoying the dive instead of worrying about your gear.

• Check your battery status before suiting up—anything below 30 percent means you should replace or charge before diving, not discover the problem mid-trip like Marcus did on a Palau live-aboar ...