Abstract: Check valves are important valves in pipeline system. Falty selection of these valves, for many years, have been the harmful source of increasing surge in pipeline system. From hydraulics points of view, the writer describes the significance and the basic phylosophy of correct selection of check valves, analyzing, with emphasis, the operation status of the valves when surge happens. Check valve selection should be based on dynamic and characteristic curve, which should be made most use of, and based on the characteristics of the pipeline system so that the surge booster value for check valves can be reduced and surge harm can be avoided.