Have you ever lost track of your scuba gear in a crowded dive boat before or had someone accidentally grab your equipment? Keeping your gear properly marked isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about practicality, security, and ensuring everything stays in the right hands.

Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting out, having a clear way to identify your equipment can save you time, hassle, and even money. In this article, we’ll explore six simple yet effective techniques to identify your gear, so you never have to second-guess what’s yours again!

6 Simple Techniques to Identify Your Gear

With a few simple techniques, you can easily mark, organize, and personalize your scuba diving equipment, ensuring quick identification and preventing mix-ups. Here are 6 simple techniques to identify your gear:

• Writing on it with a permanent marker/texter.
• Writing on it with special fabric paint.
• Engraving.
• Putting a sticker on it.
• Attaching a tag to it.

The best marker 

Sharpies

Industrial Sharpie

Sharpie produces durable, fade-resistant markers designed for industrial use. They perform as expected, and are available in fine and extra fine tips, only in black.

Metallic Sharpie

The silver metallic Sharpie is your best choice for writing on dark things. It’s nearly as durable as the industrial black, and available only in silver.

Paint pens

It is common in the industrial world due to many reasons. And yes – Sharpie makes these, but other good brands are available too. It is highly recommended to use the White one, for visibility.

Fabric paint

No paint is perfect, so many people still prefer Sharpies. However, If you apply fabric paint in the right spots and touch it up occasionally, it helps neoprene items stand out.

I marked my standard Aqualung 3mm wetsuit with my initials inside, below the collar, to identify it easily. Sides of my boots too. When it comes to suitable fabric paints, you can find many options.

Scribbles 3D Fabric Paint

Scuba Goop works well on fabric, but don’t use it on nylon. (Such as BCDs or SMB bags).

Removing a Scuba Goop label reveals another label underneath. Same item, lower cost.

Trident U-Mark It

It is considered a similar, competing product.

ST Art Material 3D Fabric Paint

A low-cost Thai product (cost around $1.80 USD). It is available in large art supply stores.

Stickers

These look so attractive, but are considered the least permanent choice. While you can find special stickers that are made for scuba gear, because of the rough nature of the metal and elements, they wear away fast if they are not placed in a proper way.

Diving Labels are widely used in the Philippines, in which they originate.

Places where they don’t work well:

• On flexible surfaces.
• On tanks (Excessive wear and tear).
• On rough or porous surfaces.
• Frequently handled items (handles and similar)

So, where are they good to apply?

• The housings of Camera.
• Finger spools.
• Gear hangers.
• Torches.
• Some types of dive computers (such as the Suunto Zoop).

Engraving

Although engraving lasts a long time, it is considered one of the ugliest methods. It is ideal for dive shops that need durable markings.

Engraving is usually done with a tool such as a Dremel. There are many other brands and knock-offs that you can choose from, but for heavy dive shop use, the original is the best. Cordless vs corded is a problem, due to voltage issues. The Bosch AL1130CV European charger supports varied voltages and works with Dremel batteries. (Dremel is owned by Bosch). Adding enamel paint makes the marking more visible.

Tags

Don’t use plastic tags because the rate of breakage is always too high. Stamped metal tags offer the best clarity. Hand-engraved metal tags offer a balance of clarity and durability. Stamping is highly recommended than engraving.

In another case, such as with hand engraving, a bit of enamel paint in the impressions enhances visibility.

Lasers

Laser engraving is pricey but clear, visible, and highly customizable. It is the perfect choice for metal scuba tanks and any other large, metallic surfaces.

Laser-engraved metal tags offer both affordability and clear markings. A dive shop or private owner have more information on an engraved tag than the stamped one. These information include DAN membership number, shoA dive shop or private owner can include a lot more information on an engraved tag than with a stamped one logo, email address, and so on are all options.