Attaching a torch/flashlight to your BCD so you can use it but not drop it.

[JossRincon]

Get a retractor, especially if you are talking about a smallish light. Some things that would have used a couple C-cell batteries. I keep one like that in a BC pocket with the retractor clipped to a d-ring inside the pocket.

This! Got a simple, inexpensive retractor and clipped it to my BCD - made life way more simple.

 

[Belzelbub]

Several options, much will depend on your set up.

My BC has a pocket with a D-Ring nearby. So, I have a bolt snap with a small section of line attached to the light. Light goes in the pocket, line is small enough to fit under the zipper when the pocket is closed. I attach the bolt snap to the D ring, put the flashlight in the pocket and zip it closed. It's out of the way and secure. I can actually operate the light without removing the bolt snap from the D ring. But if I were to use for a more extended use, then unhooking the bolt snap would be needed.

 

[Eric802]

For a quick peek, you may be able to leave it clipped to the chest D-ring. For longer, a hairband or bungee on your wrist:

View attachment 836859

I've done it exactly like this with the hairband while snorkeling or if my computer is on my left wrist.

 

[Chavodel8en]

The Goodman soft mount at DGX is $10. DGX Soft Handmount

 

[boqurant]

Bungee bracelets on both wrists: lets you boltsnap anything onto them to avoid loss during handheld use - very simple and effective. Torch, linecutter, knife in the water, and at the surface even DSMB and PLB if you want to wave them around.

 

[rongoodman]

If I'm not holding it it's clipped off to the chest D-ring.

 

[landphil]

I run a 12” loop of paracord between my light and boltsnap. That lets me keep it attached to my right chest d-ring while comfortably using the light. To store it I have the world’s most expensive little bungee loop (unsurprisingly made by Scubapro) also on the d-ring that I jam the tail end of the light into. That keeps the foot of line nicely tucked away. I pretty constantly just drop it and let it hang when I need to switch over to a slate to record some data. A lot of people doing the same work go with Goodman gloves for a simple hand mount.

Of course, I mainly kelp dive, so constantly entangled, but never in a way that can’t be undone without tools. Also why I try to avoid using retractors- when I’m entangled I know exactly what order to check everything (90% of the time it’s on my dry suit pocket stiffeners.) Retractors can take the little wrap and Reel out line until it’s behind you, all attached by a cord that’s too thin to feel with gloves on

I’d definitely put a bit more thought into my setup if I ever overcame my completely rational fear of enclosed underwater spaces ; but having a fixed foot of dangle works great for my diving

 

[Sascha314]

I made a loop with a bowline knot out of 3mm bungee cord. I can put it onto my arm next to my computer (or the other arm a second one if you like). In this loop I can attach a boltsnap. So I can easily put a backup lamp into this, and in case I can let it go and immediately regrab it if I want.
Depending on if I use a simple primary torch (withoit goodman) I can use this for it as well, and can change between hands.
If I do not want to use the light anymore I clip it back to a D-ring and have a bungee loop to fix the other side, so its fixed and ot floating.

I think this little loop with a small bungee close to the computer should not be a danger for entanglement, maybe in small closed spaces.

It is cheap, simple, quickly made. It is light, no mechanics and also the light will not drop below your body.

 

[boqurant]

Yep, bungee bracelets work really well. Makes it possible to temporarily "drop & retrieve" a clipped-off item in the case that you need to grab or signal something unplanned - useful in high current or when things are moving quickly.

Assuming it fits fairly snug against the skin it's no more an entanglement hazard than your computer strap / bungee, and easy to cut off if you really have to.

My torches have boltsnaps permanently attached. For knife / linecutter I'll use a double ender that's normally clipped off to a d-ring: takes an extra second to assemble but gets the same effect, and I may or may not need to clip those to my wrist anyway depending on usage.

 

[happy-diver]

So if you have light(s) clipped to chest drings and your chest is close to your head where your eyes are

So why unclip them or carry them anywhere else