A stuck inflator button at 60 feet or a dump valve that won't reseal can turn a routine dive into an emergency in seconds. In this episode, Marcus Okafor—with over 3,000 dives logged—walks through the complete BCD pre-dive safety checklist he runs before every single descent. Whether you're a new diver learning good habits or an experienced one who's gotten a little casual with gear checks, this systematic approach catches hidden failures while you're still on the surface where they're easy to fix.

• Visual inspections should focus on high-stress zones like weight pocket attachment points, D-ring mounting seams, and the back panel where your cylinder creates pinch points—these areas develop slow leaks that only reveal themselves underwater.

• UV-damaged nylon webbing develops a chalky, stiff texture that signals comp ...