Suicide Clips

[DevonDiver]

Bent d-rings? Hah! A gear solution to a skills problem, if you ask me.

How's that for retention?

Retention...I'll show you retention... let me tell you all about 'fixed' d-rings......

 

[DaleC]

Now we're talkin...

I'm so cheap I make my D rings out of string.

 

[smokey braden]

bob in post #14 spoke of a butterfly clip.
could someone post a photo of one here please.
thank you,

 

[DevonDiver]

bob in post #14 spoke of a butterfly clip.
could someone post a photo of one here please.

They REALLY suck for securing your scuba gear. I have no idea why Bob would recommend using one...
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[Compressor]

Risks are not just for cave/wreck divers: Before I knew any better (30 years ago), I was stuck in fishing line once with one of those suicide clips. I'm glad I had shears to cut the line off otherwise it would be a hassle to extracate myself. I don't use them but if you want to use them, then be aware of the risks.

 

[miked]

On a dive boat, as I was setting up my gear, a lady came by, noticed the large "suicide clip" on top of my gear bag with my other small items (flashlight, Computer, etc). She started to give me the "suicide clip" speech, and I said "thanks, I'm aware of that". The "speech" morphed into a somewhat strident lecture on the topic, as I continued setting up my gear. The last item used was the clip-which I used to secure the straps on my rolled up gear bag before placing the bag under the bench.
Her husband/buddy came by later to apologize.
While I actually appreciated Her thought in mentioning the potential problem, say it once, then let it be.

 

[The Chairman]

I think the case against "suicide" clips is overblown for most recreational applications.

I agree with Bob. I avoid them, especially around wrecks. I do not consider the Butterfly clips as suicide clips. Probably because I use a lot of them due to my arthritis. They have never snagged a thing unless I wanted them to.

Then when I took my cave course and every little thing got caught if not properly secured,

Those sneaky, sneaky instructors.

 

[Peter69_56]

I used to have a lot of butterfly clips and also found that they are easy to attach deco tanks with thick gloves.

Had them on my stage tanks too. Went to Truk and had my 80 Nx staged at 9 m. Did one dive and when I got back, no stage tank. Thought the boat guy didnt set the stage tank for me. Asked him what happened, dropped it! What he meant was that he attached it to the weighted line, but with the swell and wave action swinging the tank about, the line doubled back over the clip and released, dropping my brand new stage reg set in 65m water.

I have since removed all my butterfly clips and now use the more reliable bolt clips.

 

[Reku]

I used to have a lot of butterfly clips and also found that they are easy to attach deco tanks with thick gloves.

Had them on my stage tanks too. Went to Truk and had my 80 Nx staged at 9 m. Did one dive and when I got back, no stage tank. Thought the boat guy didnt set the stage tank for me. Asked him what happened, dropped it! What he meant was that he attached it to the weighted line, but with the swell and wave action swinging the tank about, the line doubled back over the clip and released, dropping my brand new stage reg set in 65m water.

I have since removed all my butterfly clips and now use the more reliable bolt clips.

That has to be the worst luck ever. That's exactly why I dive with all my tanks even if I have to clip it off on the butt d ring and float it behind me.

 

[Rich Keller]

I'm new to diving and have read about suicide clips on a few forums. I don't like the sound of these!

Could anyone explain what these are and why they are named such.

Thanks

These things are only a threat to very inexperienced divers and those who do not carry knives. I use carabiners for just about everything when I am working underwater, usually in zero vis, and regular gate clips for a couple of small items when sport diving. I have never had them attach to anything on their own during thousands of hours of diving. If something this simple is going to kill you then you might want to rethink going diving at all.