Most rebreather manufacturers provide students with a last-minute checklist that can be completed right before jumping off a boat or even in the water prior to descent. If your rebreather does not have such a list consider reciting a short mantra as you approach the “danger zone” before a dive. The danger zone could be the top of a set of stairs leading to the water. It might be the transom of a boat before doing your giant stride. The danger zone is the place where unconsciousness could further result in drowning.
When I owned a Cis-Lunar Mk5P, I made little stickers for the side of my handset. When I owned a Megalodon rebreather, I used to say to myself, “Tanks on. ADV enabled. Safe PO2 in the loop.” With my PRISM2 rebreather, I review, “Tanks on. Setpoint enabled. Safe PO2 in the loop.” I always walk down a set of stairs with the loop out of my mouth and hanging around my neck, but if I ever fell in the water without fins and a mask, I know I could safely jump on the loop and recover from embarrassment.
