Is Camo gear unsafe?

[Fish Food]

Got into a "discussion" today about camo gear and want yalls opinions.

Question is, is camo gear unsafe in low viz conditions? We were discussing wings, but i know there are a couple camo wetsuits also...

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Unsafe in what way?

 

[ScottB]

Would you prefer yum yum yellow? or how about snacky seal black?

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Well, to camouflage means to blend in to the background, right? The question that I have, then, is, "does military land camouflage count as camo underwater?" My answer would be that no, it doesn't. What does count as camo? Well, in dark or lo viz, black blends in pretty darn well. Black is the underwater camo, in my opinion. Is it unsafe? Not really. Just make sure you have enough air, and keep track of where your buddy is, and you should be fine. Watch your NDL's too, if you want to walk again when you get to the surface and avoid spending hours and hours in a chamber....

 

[teknitroxdiver]

The camo wetsuits you speak of are called mimetic. Their whole point is to be hard to see, for spearfishing. That way the fish don't see you as easily.

 

[ClayJar]

Question is, is camo gear unsafe in low viz conditions?

No. Decorative colors or patterns have no bearing on gear performance. In low viz, it is even less significant, as the giant diver-eating designer sharks won't be offended by your hideously gauche apparel.

We were discussing wings, but i know there are a couple camo wetsuits also...

We actually had one old hat work a checkout in a camo freediving wetsuit. He stood out almost as much as my entertainingly glaring pink gear. :biggrin:

(I've never known anyone on checkouts I've worked who has had a problem identifying my group, even in the most overstuffed cattle boat dives. )

 

[Fish Food]

The camo wetsuits you speak of are called mimetic. Their whole point is to be hard to see, for spearfishing. That way the fish don't see you as easily.

Disregaurd those

IIRC a while back I saw some specialty "forest camo" wetsuits. I could be wrong though. Of course Oxycheq has their camo wing (which was the focal point of the discussion)

And to clarify. By dangerous I ment losing sight of your buddy in low-viz conditions.

 

[Willuw]

Camo gear doesn't really blend in like camo on land unless you are on similar background to that of the camo. Usually, the whole diver is not camo either - there is usally at least one or two things that are another color (tank, fins, wetsuit).

The main idea of camo underwater is to break up the diver's body to make them seem smaller then they really are. I see no reason camo would be dangerous in low viz conditions. If anything - the camo would help stand out better then standard black.

 

[Tigerman]

To be camouflaged is only unsafe if you need to be found.. which kinda defies the point of being camouflaged..

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

You might be a redneck diver if.....

You have cammy scuba gear.