Diving with way too much gear

[scubadude79]

For me, in my experience, the gear I carry does represent a minimum. It also allows me to deal with virtually any problem that arises.

For instance, I have used the reel for impromptu searches (far easier and quicker than using a compass). I have used the reel and DSMB to rapidly surface my friends leaking camera housing from 26m (and saved her DSLR in the process). I have used the knife a thousand times on the dive boat (much less in the water). I've used the whistle to wake sleeping boatmen when we needed picking up on many occasions. Of course, I've used the reel for gentle wreck penetrations and the reel/dsmb for ascents on hundreds of occasions also.

The slate isn't critical, I suppose. However, I instruct - so my waterproof notebook contains all the notes I need to run lessons. I can also use it to jot down maps for unfamiliar sites...and when I dive tech, it contains my back-up deco plan/s. Underwater, it is good for conveying difficult information, taking notes and making sketches of sites etc etc.

The torch isn't critical either, but the modern LED torches are so small and reliable, it is no hassle to carry one. I dive in an area with many wrecks, so it is useful for illumination (it does not replace a proper primary light for penetrations). I've used the torch to help sight photos in dark conditions..and for signaling in bad viz or light (above and below water). At the very basic level, it is great for looking inside nooks and crannies on reefs.

I would not dive without the knife, reel, whistle and dsmb. The torch and slate are optional, but of such little distraction that I carry them as routine.

You bring up a great point. I guess the bigger deal is not necessarily what you dive with, but how you manage your equipment package. Having a strategy instead of cramming it all into one pocket allows you to dive with more, and have the resources needed if something came up.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[miketsp]

In addition to some of the items above I also carry a buddy line made of 1/4" bungee.
This coils flat in my cummerbund pocket together with a signalling mirror (polished metal) and a set of dive tables. You don't even notice they're there.

The buddy line has come in useful on a lot of occasions when entering unexpected very low viz conditions (few inches), or when adrift with my buddy for an hour waiting for pickup (to keep us together) or as a Jon line to avoid congestion on the shot line when everyone else is jostling for a space at the right depth during long deco stops in high currents.

 

[DandyDon]

...when adrift with my buddy for an hour waiting for pickup...

This happens...?

 

[vladimir]

Apart from exposure protction, I have dived with that kit across the globe, in tropical and temperate waters.

ALL that kit looks THIS cluttered....

Andy, I am curious about your regulator configuration in this picture. It looks like you have a somewhat longer-hosed regulator (octopus length?) bungeed around your neck while you breathe a shorter-than-standard hosed regulator. If that is the case, is the plan to donate your short-hosed regulator and breathe the longer one in an out-of-air situation? It seems sub-optimal to me.

 

[Reg Braithwaite]

Andy, I am curious about your regulator configuration in this picture. It looks like you have a somewhat longer-hosed regulator (octopus length?) bungeed around your neck while you breathe a shorter-than-standard hosed regulator. If that is the case, is the plan to donate your short-hosed regulator and breathe the longer one in an out-of-air situation? It seems sub-optimal to me.

I have observed this in the field. The subject was using a rubber necklace that held the backup in a loop. Therefore, if you pulled on the backup, it would come free and you could donate it, unlike the typical backup reg that is fixed to the necklace. You could also find the backup easily for yourself since it was around the neck, possibly hands free if you have practiced locating it with your teeth.

I am not suggesting whether this is optimal or not, nor am I speaking for the gentleman in the picture, just sharing what I was told when I was asking a lot of questions about various gear choices.

 

[RonFrank]

I have to agree that having gear stuffed in one pocket should not matter much.

I've been with a few new divers who were just panicked. It would not have mattered what they had in their pockets, how their weight was distributed, etc., they were bound and determined to be.. panicked!

Usually it's one thing that starts it, but they quickly run into multiple issues. The easiest way for them to accept the problem is to blame equipment, water temps, surface conditions, or any combination of things OTHER than the real problem, which is their inability to calm down, and relax.

From my experience divers that exhibit these types of problems tend to be very slow learning, and often very hard headed when it comes to taking advice.

 

[vladimir]

Usually it's one thing that starts it, but they quickly run into multiple issues. The easiest way for them to accept the problem is to blame equipment, water temps, surface conditions, or any combination of things OTHER than the real problem, which is their inability to calm down, and relax.

From my experience divers that exhibit these types of problems tend to be very slow learning, and often very hard headed when it comes to taking advice.

And always male.

 

[DevonDiver]

Andy, I am curious about your regulator configuration in this picture. It looks like you have a somewhat longer-hosed regulator (octopus length?) bungeed around your neck while you breathe a shorter-than-standard hosed regulator. If that is the case, is the plan to donate your short-hosed regulator and breathe the longer one in an out-of-air situation? It seems sub-optimal to me.

The neck bungee is quick release (just a loop through which the mouthpiece fits) so it can be donated as a normal octopus...and still fits the PADI recommendations of storing your AAS in a visible location, within a triangle formed by the mouth and lower corners of the rib cage.

The benefit of storing the AAS in this location is that I can access it myself (hands-free if required by simply dropping my chin) in the event of losing my primary second stage.

Many divers store the 'AAS' on a permanent loop around their neck for the same reasons (as per tech diving configurations). In this case, they have to donate their primary second-stage from their mouths if another diver requires air. Personally, I feel this is a nice solution to AAS donation...as you know the primary works well...and it does condition divers to get used to having the primary taken from them in an emergency OOA situation (as may likely happen in a real emergency). PADI (and other agencies) put no preclusion on teaching/training OOA drills this way.

 

[DevonDiver]

This coils flat in my cummerbund pocket together with a signalling mirror (polished metal)........

Another useful addition! A small mirror takes up no space but provides you with an excellent surface signaling option, along with a method to inspect yourself underwater - for instances of entanglement, air leaks etc etc...

 

[ChristyV]

I try to NOT dive with more than one new thing ....unless it's fins of course. It just seems easier to adapt to changes one thing at a time.