Essential Safety Equipment For That First Ocean Dive

[DandyDon]

I just cannot imagine any diver going into the unforgiving ocean without at least a Safety Sausage, Storm Whistle, and a Flashlight. I still carry the same sausage and light I bought for my first ocean dive, but I have upgraded the whistle.

Here's a link to a happy-ending story about a tourist who counted on the DM to take care of him I suppose, and perhaps a DM who thought he didn't need to bother. here! 30 hours at sea before being rescued, getting ready for their second night drifting, in part because neither had any signaling devices at all. Not all of these stories end so well.

DAN has an excellent package - currently out of stock, but the same should be available at any dive store. Better sausage than I carry: "Includes 6’ orange safety sausage (with lpi attachment, dump valve and reflective strip), Wind Storm whistle, signal mirror and chemical lightstick. Accessories are incorporated into sausage’s base; clips to BC." click to view - $54. But carry a small dive light, too. When these divers went in at 11.30am, they didn't expect to be out after dark.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Not only for ocean dives but really any large body of water. I carry sausage, two lights(surge and q40), divealert and whistle built into knife sheath that fits flat into my bc pocket along with a light stick on every open water dive. Next thing is a signal mirror.

 

[Hammerhead]

Next thing is a signal mirror.

Or a CD. Works just as well and cheap, so it doesn't annoy you when you lose it or break it.

Maybe I'm just cheap...

 

[Diver Dennis]

Good thread Don. The article mentioned they had a camera so they could have used the flash to signal as well. You can see strobes, especially doubles, a loooong way at night, even under water. Come to think of it even during the day... It is also a good point to make sure the sausage you carry actually works. A lot of divers that have them don't practice with them or even check to make sure they don't have holes in them. An old rotten sausage won't do you any good.

 

[Jay_SMART_Diver]

Sausage, whistle and signal mirror.

 

[ArthurGerla]

Or a CD. Works just as well and cheap

There has been a bit of discussion about CD's here on the board. It is said they aren't as reflective as a real mirror and corrode after a few dives in salt water. Also, they cannot be aimed as well as a purpose-made signalling mirror.

Do you speak from personal experience?

Art

 

[Kevrumbo]

X-Shorts Left Pocket: Dive Alert Horn, 75' Spool, Spare Mask, EMT Shears, Signal Mirror & Strobe.
Right Pocket: 100' Spool, Extra-Double Ender Bolt Snap, & Wetnotes for a Record Log (or impromptu Last Will & Testament!).
Backplate MC Storage Pak: 80lb. Liftbag/SMB, also used for Redundant/Emergency Buoyancy in case of Wing Failure at depth.
Backplate Bottom Edge Mounted: Halcyon Diver's Life Raft in pouch, secured with Bungie Shock Cord (http://www.halcyon.net/mc/dlr.shtml ).
Hydration Bag (http://www.deepseasupply.com/page22.html ).
Primary 10W HID and two back-up Scout lights.

 

[SharkRider]

Prayer... Lots of Prayer

 

[double80s]

I carry a Carter 35# Personal Float, whistle attached to my inflator, and knife. Other than that, I usually have 2 backup lights and my primary HID.

Equipment aside, I thing people over look their basic water skills. Becoming a better swimmer is one thing that a diver can do and it will greatly improve their water survival skills. Panic is a big part of why accidents go bad. By being comfortable with your swiming skills, you will be more relaxed in the water should an emegency occur. Best of all, it doesn't cost much and takes up no space on your kit.

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks for the added suggestions. Some of y'all's are a little advanced, tho. I don't like to see even a first time diver get on a boat or head out for a shore dive without at least a sausage, storm whistle, CDs glued back to back, and a dive light. I also carry a Dive Alert whistle, spare mask, spare computer, and a few other things - even a CPR mask now, but for the newbies - at least the sausage, storm whistle, CDs & light, must in case, please.