Dive Debrief Template
A debrief closes the loop a plan opens: what actually happened, how it compared to what was planned, and what's worth remembering for the next similar dive. Skipping this means every dive starts from zero instead of building on the last one.
What actually happened
- Actual entry/exit time, max depth, and runtime, as reported by the team
- Actual conditions encountered
- Whether the stated objective was completed
- Actual turn point, if different from planned
What came up during the dive
- Deviations from the plan and why
- Equipment, communication, or navigation problems
- Environmental concerns worth noting for next time
- Any emergency events, however minor
Closing the loop
- Positive observations worth repeating
- Lessons learned
- Specific changes recommended for the next similar dive
Frequently asked questions
Is a debrief the same as an incident report?
Not necessarily -- most debriefs cover routine dives with no incident at all. If something serious did happen, your agency or operator's formal incident-reporting process still applies; a debrief captures the team's own account for future planning.
Dive Brief organizes information entered by the dive team. It does not calculate whether a dive is safe or replace training, certification, professional judgment, dive computers, agency standards, or a live predive briefing.
Turn this checklist into a shared team briefing that everyone can review.
Create a Shared Dive Brief