Do you carry a knife?

[diveChiq]

That's also true for the pry bar and jack that you don't carry while diving. There is an infinite variety of safety items that are not carried, but that would be excellent to have if you need one real bad. The line has to be drawn some place. I'm not arguing for or against knives. But, does a knife give a greater safety margin than an independent reg/second tank setup, or a second mask or a second pressure gauge?

will a second reg get you out of fishing line?
can you bang a second mask on your tank to get your buddies attention?

no.

knives and shears are fit for a purpose. carry one, and you might never need it. dont carry one and you might get caught short.
i carry my knife attached and underneath my pressure gauge. its small but serated and i have only ever used it once - when i swam into fishing line that i hadnt seen.

 

[Ardy]

There was an incident in PNG about 3 years ago on a liveaboard I was on. The couple involved were on the previous trip to me.

They were hooked onto the reef by large fish hooks and thick fishing line in a strong current looking at all the fish in an amphitheatre type rock formation. The wife lost her fin and turned round to look for it and her mask was swept away. She couldnt pull herself back down the fishing line (no gloves?) and drowned next to her husband who was unaware there was a problem.

A knife would have saved her life.

I have always carried one and have cut myself out of fishing line once, although I think I could have worked my way out of it had I the time and patience. Still you never know do you.

It is interesting what we consider important. I think a safety sausage is my most used safety device that has (possibly) saved my life on one occasion and I am adding a steel mirror.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I carry 3 knives.

One large "traditional" dive knife on the inside of my calf, 2 small knives on waist strap of my BP/W... all three can be reached with either hand. Overkill for sure, but they are not in the way at all, and for no other reason than "just because I like 'em"...

 

[Web Monkey]

I have noticed that over the last 5 or so years many divers are not carrying a knife.

When I learnt to dive this was a basic, never to be left behind, piece of equipment. I am interested in why newer divers are not using one.

Too hard to deal with. The airlines give you crap, some of the dive ops give you crap, some countries give you crap. For some reason, Canadian customs didn't like me bringing a knife into the country.

Eventually I just gave up. Now I carry a line cutter (hook-shaped thing) that contains a utility razor blade and EMT shears. I'd like to carry a nice big solid knife, but it's become a real problem.

Terry

 

[fisheater]

I carry two knives and EMT shears.

UK Blue Tang, inverted, on my right shoulder (but accessible with either hand) and a Zeagle "tool kit" with a small knife and EMT shears in left pocket.

I've never needed redundant air, but I've had to cut myself out of kelp a few times.

 

[Lee Taylor]

Nothing worse than that gentle "tug" from behind when your alone and least expect it. I carry scissors and I just purchased an OMS line cutter. If rope is a possibility for your type diving then a blade with a serrated edge (for sawing) would be correct.

Charleston SC Scuba Club

 

[Aquabear]

Diving in NY, all divers I know have a knife and shears. Wreck dives in NY and lots of fishing line. Main knife in calf sheath(until I rig it on my BC) and my Spyderco Rescue clipit stainlesss for backup.
I always dive with them here and away. I have had no problems in airports (its in checkin) nor with any dive groups.

 

[capt. dave]

I am a new diver, but I can give everyone a very different view. I have been boating for over 20 years, US CG Licensed Captain, seen it all. I was certified in October '08 and what a rush. I have just purchased my necessary equipment via my LDS. I am now looking at the extras (lights, knife, rescue etc.) As a boater, I am sad to say that I know what is down below. I have seen miles of assorted fishing line, rope, plastic bags and other items that can entangle a diver very easy - dumped over or just "cut away". I would stress a knife for these reasons, and thanks to this site and these people, I have a good sense of what I need. I have learned via this site that in the underwater environment, you need to count on yourself to make the right decisions and have the right equipment. You may not ever need it, but someone else may. If anyone is ever up in Syracuse or 1000 Islands, give me a call!

 

[Biofish]

I think another thread would be, when did you need a knife and how was it used? Other questions to consider: Are you in limited visibility, are you in an area where there is a greater chance of entanglement? (on wrecks, or fishing areas) I carry two tools, a pair of shears and a knife. Quick note on the tool and knife, they both had to be large enough that I could use it with a dry suit glove. The reality is you should have some sort of cutting tool and know how to use it. A double-edged blade has no particular purpose for Northeast diving, maybe for free divers finishing off a large catch.

 

[Katamuki]

When recreational diving overseas where I am at the rule here by military command is that a cutting device must be carried. Most take that to be a knife but some do carry shears. Only 3 times have I used a knife but each time I am glad I had one. Two times were to release a fish and an eel that had gotten tangled up in cast-off line. The third time was on a night shore dive and a fisherman had thrown a lure right at our party. He snagged my sons wetsuit collar and hoody with the double barbed hooks. Of course my son freaked out a bit as the water then was lapping over his head. The knife I carry has the little line cutting notch and this quickly cut the line and solved the problem. Two guys drinking on the shore who witnessed what happened took care of the fisherman problem. We heard them "talking" to the fisherman as we swam off into the night.