In your metal detector bag:
- Your metal detector (with freshly charged batteries)
- Digging tools: a trowel and/or small shovel (plus a sand-scoop when digging on beaches)
- A pro-pointer (remember to check the batteries)
- A set of headphones
In your backpack:
- Spare batteries (for all essential electrical equipment with you)
- Zip-lock bags for good finds
- Plastic carrier bags for finds that will later be disposed of
- A magnifying glass
- A basic first-aid kit
- Food and water
- A digital camera (all though you can do without this)
- Metal detector instructions (sometimes it is good to check the settings before a search)
Other essentials for the backpack that are good to keep in a plastic waterproof case:
- Your NCMD card (National Council for Metal Detecting membership card)
- Permission letters (relating to the land you are searching)
- Your Crown Estate permit (if detecting on foreshore)
- A Crown Estate map (of the beach you are going to)
- A handheld GPS
In the car:
- Towels
- Spare shoes & socks
- Spare headphones
- Sun-tan cream
- Anti-septic wipes
- Toilet roll
- Mobile phone charger (and any other necessary chargers)
- A sun and/or winter hat (unless it is already on your head)
- Waterproofs (unless they’re already being worn)
It is is also recommended that you keep a fully charged mobile phone or a walkie talkie (if with a group) on your person during all digs.