What do you carry with you when diving?

[icechip]

Thanks for the replies. It seems to me that there are 3 necessities

1- Something to cut line/rope
2- Something to signal with visually on the surface
3- Something to signal with audibly when on the surface

With a Light Source being a 4th, necessary with backup for night dives, or optional if you're into looking into little caves during day dives.

A snorkel could be useful as well, but is more Dive Specific.

What I'm trying to do is plan for eventualities that I may encounter in diving, taking into account what kind of diving I do.

I'm aware that different dives require different equipment, but I figured that learning from others experiences is helpful to everyone.

I usually go with a whistle zip-tied on the inflator hose, a DGX light, mesh carry bag, smb and a knife.

 

[icarusaxu]

For liveaboard diving a must is a reel and SMB, I would not dive without it. A Nautilus Lifeline GPS locator would be an essential too in my opinion in areas where there is strong currents and there is a risk of losing your group. I also carry a knife in case of entanglement but have never used it.

 

[rhwestfall]

This really depends on the diving you intend to do.

 

[NothingClever]

For liveaboard diving a must is a reel and SMB…

I wouldn’t limit yourself to LOBs as the moment these are a ‘must carry’. Anytime a boat and current are involved is enough.

This would be like me saying, “I just install my turn signals when I go on the interstate.” Well, prudent judgment and responsibility tell me that every time I operate a motor vehicle I need to communicate to others my intentions and actions.

 

[Jai Bar]

For OW dives besides the standard equipment (buoyancy, mask, fins, regulator etc.):

A line cutting device or/and EMT shears (on harness waist webbing)
Small torch (on right shoulder webbing)
SMB w/spool (pocket)

For liveaboards I take a few spares just in case I lose or break one (don't necessarily dive with them, besides computer and torch for night dives): mask, fin strap, torch, computer, smb. When I go with whole family I also add one extra bladder (just the inner thingy), one inflator mechanism, one extra fin for all of us. I happened a few times to have a family member lose a fin while climbing to dingy, twice managed to salvage in time, once used the spare replacement.. Computers had also three times where the spare was needed: once someone placed the tank on, another battery died, and one also went overboard or what I call a tribute for Neptune...So spares do come handy sometimes.

 

[ImpotentSeaSnake]

For lost diver search patterns are people comfortable using their dive computer, compass, or prefer a physical compass?

 

[Rickk]

Hello all,

I'm trying to prepare for eventualities when diving and was wondering what you all carry with you when underwater? I'm talking in addition to the basic SCUBA components (BCD, Tank, Regs etc).

Right now, I've got a pair of EMT shears in one BCD pocket, and a Safety Sausage in the other. I haven't been carrying a spare mask with me, but I'm considering that as well.

Most of the diving I do is Tropical, a combination of shore and boat dives.

Thoughts?

Thanks! (Heading to Curacao in a few weeks!)

I am a tech diver but always dive with same gear. I dive SM and only thing that changes between a tech and a rec dive is the deco tanks.

2 flashlights, 3 on a night dive.
2 Perdix, one with AI.
Spare mask and folding snorkel.
Folding dive knife, in butt pouch and line cutter on computer strap.
2 DSMBs and reels, one 15 m the other 40m.
Wet notes.

I use two butt pouches, one clipped behind me to the harness the other on a tank cam band on my left tank. Only thing clipped to the harness when I splash is my primary light.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

What no compass what diving is this that everyone is claiming they are doing without a compass

I Don't Leave Home Without It!

It's called "Follow the divemaster around"
It's the newest fad in diving, you don't have to know a thing.