Marking Gear

[grouchyturtle]

I know this one's been asked about a million times on here!
I know Sharpie, paint pen, etc.

But no one seems to answer the second part of the question.

What info do you put, initials, full name, phone, address, email, web site, pager, personal logo, FedEx account # for shipping it back if lost, etc.???

[Cave Diver]

Name or initials for gear that might be easily confused between me and a buddy (i.e mask, fins).

On more expensive gear, a drivers license number is a good way to identify it. Easily traceable. Do NOT use a SS# !!!!

[Mo2vation]

All my gear says "Ken"

All of Jaye's gear has a "heart" icon on it.

Silly, stupid, cute...sure. But it works.

[Hallmac]

As a retired Police Detective I always recommend marking it with a unique identifyer that the thief won't be in a hurry to erase. Most initials and id numbers are removed within hours of being " found!!!".

You can put your initials on it for your quick id. but put something neat or special on it and the dirtbags always seem to leave it there because it looks cool!!.

I can't even begin to tell you how many items broke cases for me just because of some simple little sticker or mark. I personally use gold leaf inlay and a really simple design that is engraved.

The inlay comes from my fiream ingraving days and can be found at most crafts shops.

I also recommend making a note of your special mark in your log book. ( helps prove the case if ever needed )

Hallmac;) ;)

[Lawman]

I like using a vibrating engraving pen. They
only cost about $15 and you can mark on most
metals, plastics, or any hard surface. Doesn't
come off unless someone files it off then it's
pretty obvious.
Put your identifying mark [birthday, etc] some
where it isn't too obvious...then when someone
says "Can you identify Peoples Exhibit #1?" you can
say " yes I can. My birthdate is here under the
battery cover" or whereever.

I used to be a Prosecuting Attorney and it was
great for court!!:D

[medic13]

my markings are as follows FIDO 1962
which stands for **** it drive on and year i was born hehe

[MgicTwnger]

Mo2vation once bubbled...
All my gear says "Ken"

All of Jaye's gear has a "heart" icon on it.

Silly, stupid, cute...sure. But it works.

If it says "Ken", it must be mine! Give it back, especially if it's really expensive! :D

[miked]

Is your "handle"(?) a derivative of
"plunk your Magic Twanger Froggy".
from the old "Andy's Gang " TV show ?? :)

Just curious,
Mike

[MgicTwnger]

miked once bubbled...
Is your "handle"(?) a derivative of
"plunk your Magic Twanger Froggy".
from the old "Andy's Gang " TV show ?? :)

Just curious,
Mike

Exactly! You win an autographed picture of Midnight the Cat!

[Mo2vation]

its all DIW.

You Pluck? I pound....

K

[grouchyturtle]

After seeing a lot of these responses I have another question.

Aren't you really marking your gear mainly to identify it at the dive site?

No matter what you use to mark it, if someone steals it, they'll remove the mark. And they'd have to be a huge idiot to return to the same dive site right away.

Even if you engrave it as some people suggest. It can just be scratched out and re-engraved. You really can't prove what it used to say. Besides marking like that may make it harder to resell.

Isn't just keeping a log of all your serial numbers a better idea?

[Cave Diver]

grunzster once bubbled...
Isn't just keeping a log of all your serial numbers a better idea?

Not all gear has serial numbers.

[O-ring]

Aren't you really marking your gear mainly to identify it at the dive site?
Most of the people I dive with have gear that is almost identical to mine and it tends to get confusing on a crowded boat.

I only mark my initials and I use either a sharpie, paint marker, or white out depending on the surface.

[Rice]

It must be relly hard to keep track of your gear if you go diving with a bunch of DIR guys, what strategies do you use when everything is identical?:)

[O-ring]

Rice once bubbled...
It must be relly hard to keep track of your gear if you go diving with a bunch of DIR guys, what strategies do you use when everything is identical?:)
Fins have initials on them (those are easy to mix up)...bps/wings also have initials or last name on them. Tanks look different enough and the small stuff usually has initials or everybody knows what is theirs somehow. The hardest are fins without markings since 8 pairs of jetfins that were thrown from the transom into a pile on the boat can be difficult to sort out if they all have the same spring straps.

Then again, if everything is interchangeable and my gas is your gas, etc. I guess we could just grab whatever and jump in ;)

[jiveturkey]

Does anyone know where the serial numbers are located on a BC? I know i have one because it's listed on my scubapro card but I have no idea where it is.

[Genesis]

it is typically up under the bottom of the aircell on the back.

[jiveturkey]

Genesis once bubbled...
it is typically up under the bottom of the aircell on the back.

Right you are...thanks Genesis.

[dsgobie]

Being in the Military I found it quick and easy to sew on the name tapes that we use off our uniforms. They are cheep, and never wear off. You can get them many of ways. www.nametapes.com is a simple way. One name tape which is 1" webing, is $2.50, with a min. order of 3. And you can order them to say anything that you would like. I have never seen them with numbers on them, but I don't see why they couldn't. It's just a computer program. I would suggust using any branch of the service except the Marines. Our new camies are ditigal and pretty hard to read even from a close distance. The A.R.M.Y. 's (Aint Ready for Marines Yet) should hook you up though.

[Zept]

I use my e-mail address. It is the same as my (real) name and it is more permanent than my street address or phone number (I own the domain name). All the people I dive with have e-mail, so if they find something of mine, they can get in touch.

I figure if someone steals my stuff, I'm not likely to see it again, no matter how it is marked, but if I leave something on a dive boat, there's a reasonable chance that someone will return it, if they can contact me. People are pretty honest around here.

Zept