Do you carry basic safety equipment on dives? If not, why?

[martinskarin]

I never carried anything so far, why?
Only been to two dive vacations, the first one I did not own a single peace of equipment, on the second one I had some (mask, computer, suite, gloves), it was only dives with DM and Guides all the time, so there where plenty of people with this equipment and as new diver I stayed close.

To next vacation I already planned to buy SMB, a small light, whistle and a knife since it is likely I will do some shore dives without guide or DM (but with a Buddy ofc).

Isn't there any kind of "Emergency GPS channel" or something like that? One could have a GPS going on a Emergency channel and easily be found over a great distance and in bad weather?

 

[snhrph]

I take these on every dive:

1. SMB with a reel
2. Light: Ikelite PCm
3. No mirror
4. DA2X DiveAlert
5. Ocean Master knife

 

[lsorenson]

1. SMB (Surface Market Buoy) YES, with reel...
2. Working Light with fresh batteries YES, it my backup and always with me...
3. Reflective Signaling Device (mirror) No
4. Noise Signaling Device Yes, cheep flat whistle...
5. Wenoka knife

An absolute must in the ocean.... No fricken messing around, no excuses...!!! They also happen to be with me in the lake and quarry since its packed and stowed in the Halcyon pouch on my "plate" behind my back... Don't even notice its there!!! I was practicing deployment with it this past weekend at the quarry and had my wife doing the same... Since I am heading off to the Cocos in two weeks I wanted to go through the drill and was glad my wife did as well... makes me feel better knowing she knows how to deploy hers as well...!!!

lee

PS You need to practice deploying the SMB cause there is more to it than just clipping it to your BCD...!!! Its easy to find yourself heading to the surface at a rapid pace if your still hanging on to that bag once you put some air into it...!!! Not kidding for those who have not practice at the lake or quarry! For such a simple device, it can get a little dangerous...!

Please practice a couple of times before jumping into the ocean... I know when I did OW and AOW, we never once did this exercise... I think it should be a MUST...!

 

[TMHeimer]

DM's, Instructors, AAUS Scientific Divers, were all required to carry each of those (except the light) on all dives. The light is required on all night dives. Its a bit worrysome to see how many instructors are saying they dont even carry a mirror...

It's not necessarily worrysome if they are doing pleasure dives and not in their role of Instructors, etc.

 

[divermike1011]

In addition to light, mirror, SMB on reel, and whistle (Fox 40) I also carry two chem lights and a length of para-cord for night dives (or dives that could inadvertently become night dives). If blown out to sea break lights, attach to para-cord and swing in loop over your head. Very visible to SAR from the air. Extra points if you have an IR and a visible chem light.

Michael

 

[TMHeimer]

He was talking about the pilot who landed his plane into a Great Lake, and tread water for 17 hours. Basically, the pilot shouted, and had a light pass over him, but to no avail.

Thanks for the explanation Jax. Still don't know what Dandy Don was saying. Seems this pilot didn't have the necessary safety precautions someone in this vocation should have.

 

[Centrals]

For ocean dive:
1. knife and line cutter
2. light(primary and secondary)
3. two smb(yellow and orange) with two spools
4. mirror and magnifying lens
5. surface alert
6. spare mask

 

[Frosty]

Hey folks -where on earth do you carry all this stuff?
Ive got knife/light/smb and whistle -never thought of a mirror.

 

[Insta-Gator]

Hey folks -where on earth do you carry all this stuff?
Ive got knife/light/smb and whistle -never thought of a mirror.

I have one of these with my SMB rolled around it. It's acrylic with no sharp edges. Even if it only lasts a season, it's only $3.00 to buy another.

Coghlan's Featherweight Mirror at REI.com

 

[Krazytomdiver]

Yep...smb/reel,dive air alert,knife,torch,two dive computers,whistle,rattle,magic wand,bright yellow/white magnetic slate, but way too old & ugly for a mirror...

"living life without a hard bottom"
KT