For a dive to be both safe and successful, what aspect of the diver's equipment must be ensured?

For a dive to be both safe and successful, ensuring that the diver's equipment is in good condition is crucial. Equipment that is well-maintained and functioning as intended significantly reduces the risk of equipment failure, which can lead to dangerous situations while diving. A thorough pre-dive check of gear helps identify any issues, such as leaks in tanks, proper function of regulators, and secure attachment of dive gear, contributing to the overall safety of the dive.

While other factors like color coding, weight minimization, and design standardization can be beneficial, they do not have the same critical impact on safety and success during a dive as ensuring all equipment is in good condition does. Properly functioning equipment contributes to the diver's ability to manage environmental challenges, maintain buoyancy, and execute emergency protocols effectively if needed.