Do you carry basic safety equipment on dives? If not, why?

[spoolin01]

Isn't there any kind of "Emergency GPS channel" or something like that? One could have a GPS going on a Emergency channel and easily be found over a great distance and in bad weather?

GPS units are just receivers, so far as I know, but there are marine VHF radios with the Digital Select Calling DSC capability, which provide one-button continuous transmission of distress calls containing GPS-derived location information. This depends on a someone else with a DSC-equipped VHF radio being close enough to get your DSC call. I think the DSC capability of the radios has been fully implemented on the receiving end into the global search and rescue apparatus now, but am not positive.

There are satellite transponders such as EPIRBs and PLBs that when activated, transmit your location to the search and rescue network. The simpler units determine your location using satellite triangulation, but they are also available with built-in GPS receivers that provide a considerably more precise location fix. The smaller PLBs are about the size of a handheld GPS.

There's also a separate sort of hybrid commercial technology, SPOT, incorporating GPS and satellite communication but from what I know it doesn't provide truly global coverage.

None of the above are dive-rated that I'm aware of, so a reliable means for waterproofing is needed.

 

[Splitlip]

Hey folks -where on earth do you carry all this stuff?
Ive got knife/light/smb and whistle -never thought of a mirror.

My 4.5 or 6 ft Halcyon DSMB goes between my plate and my back in a storage pocket pree rigged to a Manta reel.
I carry my lights clipped off to shoulder d-rings and secured to shoulder straps (see my profile pic)
One knife on waist belt
My reel is clipped off to the lower right hand corner of my plate. I don't put it behind me because I often sit on the boat
I have my dive alert on a dedicated lp hose all clipped off to the lower right of my backplate. (it looks cluttered but it is not) I removed the QD from
dive alert which allows me to use it to inflate my DSMB with one hand.

I also have thigh pockets on my suits. I can store additional DSMB and spool, more cutting tools, tables, spare mask etc. with room to spare. It depends on the dive (and suit). But every dive has one DSMB noisemaker, and a couple of cutting tools.

 

[bkotheimer]

- Whistle
- Mirror
- SMB
- Spool

Have actually had to use my SMB when the current blew me way beyond the boat at Farnsworth. I'm thinking of ditching the spool, though... there's usually no reason around here to deploy the SMB before surfacing (random speedboat traffic isn't a giant concern).

 

[Rogersea]

My current diving style does not warrant a mirror, I carry a small SMB, whistle, and FLashlight, but really the flashlight is used to look in dark places more than it is a safety device.

 

[highdesert]

Yes ...

6' yellow/orange SMB w/flashing light, thumb reel
Strobe on BC shoulder
Dive Alert air horn
Storm whistle
Bright LED back-up dive light
Knife
No mirror: Too dependent on position of diver to sun/boat/shore, wave height, sun/cloud conditions

Just realized that I have my camera strobe too. If things got really serious, I might ditch the camera, but short of doing that, the strobe has a pretty long life.

 

[D_B]

You can get low-drain rechargeable batteries now that will hold an unused charge for up to a year....

Can you get them with the same rating as alkaline batteries ? (will they last same length of time in use) and how expensive are they ? .. something to consider if they do not last as long




Pockets are not that hard to install on a wetsuit, I put one on my 7mm and it's still on tight

economical pockets ...

... http://www.divesports.com/XS-Scuba-Wetsuit-Drysuit-Pocket-p/xs-ac430.htm

... http://www.fifthd.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=116

 

[Seaduced]

SMB w/finger spool
Strobe
Whistle - Most folks wouldn't hear it if they are underway, but trolling, drifting or anchored fisherman might.
Shears
Dive Tool - Once upon a time, on a low viz dive, I picked up a piece of fish net on my fin buckle, complete with a scorpion fish. Boy, was I glad to have the tool right there!
Mirror - Did a test with a pilot friend once, he could see the mirror flash over 20 miles away. We were both very surprised. Granted he was at a thousand feet altitude, but if I'm drifting at sea, I'll try it on boats, planes and buildings on shore.

I also carry a small bottle of water in a pocket on some dives and I think I'll add a space blanket as was mentioned.

 

[AlaskaDiver]

In Drysuit Pockets: SMB, Spool, whistle, trauma shears,
On my BCD: 2 back up lights, EZ Cutter

It can be noted that the SMB, Spool, whistle & lights all have bolt snaps attached so I can clip to D- Ring (lights) or to bungee inside of pockets (SMB, Spool). EZ Cutter & trauma shears are in sheaths which are on waist strap of BCD. I consider this as part of my 'every dive' safety except when I am cave diving where I have different safety items and more back up items like a spare mask, reel, spools etc.

I've used that SMB on so many occasions in a variety of recreational conditions that I am still amazed when people don't carry one (or even a primary light!). In response to someone's comment about not hearing a whistle; yes, you really can hear the whistle. Swells made my SMB somewhat difficult to spot in Palau and my voice just didn't carry even when shouting. A few blasts on the whistle and the boat could find my location.

 

[vladimir]

I don't think anybody's mentioned FLUORESCENT DYE. I used to carry a tube of it but no longer do--another casualty of travel streamlining.

 

[knowone]

It's really good for hair, if your hood's lining isn't orange

When one has a hairstyle that includes hair