Emergency/Survival Gear

[fundiver12]

I was just wondering what you guys considered essential diving gear for offshore diving in the US or abroad? I realize that a Reg/octo/bcd/fins, etc are definately essential, but one of my friends carries emergency gear with him, like Dye Marker, Safety Sausage, EMT Shears. What do you guys recommend is nice to have along for emergencies?

 

[lairdb]

I was just wondering what you guys considered essential diving gear for offshore diving in the US or abroad? I realize that a Reg/octo/bcd/fins, etc are definately essential, but one of my friends carries emergency gear with him, like Dye Marker, Safety Sausage, EMT Shears. What do you guys recommend is nice to have along for emergencies?

Several past threads on this -- see, for example, this one.

 

[Web Monkey]

For getting found/noticed:
3-C-Cell Strobe (very bright, runs for about 1 1/2 days)
Dive-Aler air-horn
Whistle
9' SMB (Surface Marker Buoy) with reflective tape
Small, bright flashlight (8 AA batts, very bright but doesn't have a long run time)

For getting unstuck:
Large knife
EMT Shears

I've been laughed at for carrying the 9' SMB, however, I suspect the laughing would stop if it were ever needed.

There's a nice article here: http://www.tabula-international.com/DIV/SMB3.html

I was just wondering what you guys considered essential diving gear for offshore diving in the US or abroad? I realize that a Reg/octo/bcd/fins, etc are definately essential, but one of my friends carries emergency gear with him, like Dye Marker, Safety Sausage, EMT Shears. What do you guys recommend is nice to have along for emergencies?