Required Equipment in Addition to standard Scuba equipment
(most of the items listed can be purchased here:
Netdoc's Safety Package)
- Safety Sausage
- 100 ft finger spool (not a reel)
- Line cutter
- 2 dive lights (1 primary and 1 secondary)
- Compass (preferably not on a console)
- Slate
- Personal Dive Computer
Let's cover this one by one:
Safety Sausage. I look for three things:
- OPV (over pressure valve)
- Able to be filled with an inflator hose
- 6 ft long
There are a number out there, but DRIS has one that works well:
100 ft Finger Spool. Just a spool no reels, please. The length is not critical and a 25' or 50' reel is fine. Again from DRIS:
Line Cutter. This can be anything that cuts line. I use the trilobite. Again, from DRIS:
Dive lights. Preferably LED. DRIS has a great deal on them.
Compass. You'll learn about the Lubber Line and why tethered compasses introduce errors. A wrist of a clip mount is best. DRIS has a very reasonable one on sale right now.
Slate. Almost anything works here. Here's another great deal from DRIS:
Personal Dive Computer (PDC). This is entirely up to you. Get something intuitive like one of the pelagics. You'll be planning dives off it, so read the instructions.
www.DiveNav.com has them online or you can GTS (Google that stuff). You should be able to change your gas mix and find your NDL before and during the dive. Air integration is a plus since you'll be able to determine your SAC from that. If not, be sure to download a SAC calculator to your smartphone before the trip.
Package Deal. OK, I do like DRIS, they've been a friend and advertiser for a long, long time. In fact, Mike has created a special offer for the entire package named after me. It only lacks a PDC, lights and compass. If you buy it, call in and
UPGRADE THE SAFETY SAUSAGE. That's the only thing I don't like about the package. You can't fill theirs with your inflator hose.
