You may need to don or remove your equipment in the water if:

• A. The boat is too small to allow equipment handling
• B. An item of gear needs adjusted
• C. If your scuba unit gets caught in fishing line
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

In-water gear changes are sometimes necessary to keep you safe and manage equipment when situations on the surface or deck create hazards. If the boat can’t safely handle gear because it’s too small, trying to don or remove equipment on deck could lead to entanglements or stumbles. If a piece of gear needs adjustment, you may need to access it in the water to ensure it fits and works properly before or during the dive. If your scuba unit gets caught in fishing line, you’ll often need to deal with the entanglement in the water to free yourself without pulling on the line or risking snagging others. Since each of these scenarios can occur, the safest and most complete answer is that all of the above may require in-water donning or removal of equipment.