Most Important Accessories?

[muzikbiz22]

Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

As is explained in the PADI OW course, the most common use of a dive knife is not to cut something but rather to use it as a multi-purpose tool to pry ,break, etc. In some places they don't want you doing any of that. If you need to cut something, a razor cutter or snips work better.

And no gloves permitted, as well I think, if I recall correctly ??

 

[dhaines429]

Throw away the snorkel as just about everyone does. Compass is a good idea although I would wrist mount it with bungee. I used to use retractors until it was explained to me that they can be an entanglement hazard and are really unnecessary anyway. SMB and line cutter are good to have as well.
Just don't fall into getting the new gimmicky crap that comes out and disappears shortly after because it's crap. See what experienced divers are using and ask questions then decide if it's something you need for the diving you do.

 

[Kharon]

Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

As is explained in the PADI OW course, the most common use of a dive knife is not to cut something but rather to use it as a multi-purpose tool to pry ,break, etc. In some places they don't want you doing any of that. If you need to cut something, a razor cutter or snips work better.

Don't know about Coz but on GC no one said anything about the 2 knives on my kit.

 

[CT-Rich]

Throw away the snorkel as just about everyone does. Compass is a good idea although I would wrist mount it with bungee. I used to use retractors until it was explained to me that they can be an entanglement hazard and are really unnecessary anyway. SMB and line cutter are good to have as well.
Just don't fall into getting the new gimmicky crap that comes out and disappears shortly after because it's crap. See what experienced divers are using and ask questions then decide if it's something you need for the diving you do.

Throw away the snorkel? Them's fighting words.... Decide how much you are going to use the snorkel. I have a snorkel and use it quite a lot. Not every dive, but often enough to keep it with me. I have been using a retractor for my console for seven years and was told. they break and and get hung on stuff, etc..... hasn't yet (I have been waiting for the tip of my dive knife to get snapped off for the last 38 years (as foretold by a couple of people younger than the knife)) . If the compass is wrist mounted I am curious why you need a bungee? Compass is an essential piece in my book, unless you have insane visibility or in a place that is impossible to get lost in. I wear mine on the wrist but a lot of people like to have them on either a slate or as part of their console. Master the gear you have before adding more kit. you'll save money by holding off on some the "That solves a problem I didn't even know I had" purchases...

 

[boulderjohn]

Don't know about Coz but on GC no one said anything about the 2 knives on my kit.

I guess they are allowed there, although, like Coumel, gloves are not allowed.

 

[Random Dude]

As a lot of the other divers have already given good answers, I'll just try to supplement with other accessories that I think can be important as well.

Wrist slates/Wetnotes - Found this invaluable tool if you are looking to improve your diving skills. For me, I record the objectives and skills that I want to practice on the slate, and also my performance on those skills after I perform them. I also take notes on my trim, buoyancy, breathing, stress management, situational awareness, problems that manifested during the dives etc. These information goes into my dive log, and help improves diving skills very fast if you take the time to briefly read through the logs each time before you go diving.

Action camera - can be used to film self or buddy, and improve diving from watching the videos. Sometimes it's hard to understand comments from other divers without witnessing your own performance with you own eyes. Videos help with that.

Signalling equipment that is always accessible- I have an unbreakable mirror and a whistle on a necklace under my wetsuit. In a worst case scenario, I would not want to ditch my BC, CESA to the surface, and find that all my signalling equipment was attached to the BC I left at the bottom of the ocean.

Besides all that was mentioned by the others (o rings, straps etc) , I also bring a few hoses, wrenches for some basic repairs to my regulator system. Extra batteries for dive comps and torches can be very useful too. I also put in some zipties , mouthpiece, and extra fin straps.

 

[Kharon]

I guess they are allowed there, although, like Coumel, gloves are not allowed.

Yep - definitely no gloves. I would bet no gloves anywhere except really cold places. Certainly not in the caribbean.

 

[jlcnuke]

I guess they are allowed there, although, like Coumel, gloves are not allowed.

From my recent (today) search online, it seems there are some marine parks that have rules against knives and/or gloves. The "enforcement" of marine park rules seems to be very limited/non-existent outside of what dive operators feel like enforcing. For instance, Cozumel's marine park rules include "don't get within 10 feet of any coral. Pictures from pretty much every dive operation on Cozumel, however, seem to indicate that rule is not followed much.

 

[rongoodman]

Yep - definitely no gloves. I would bet no gloves anywhere except really cold places. Certainly not in the caribbean.

There are sites, such as some at Cocos Island, where the current are so strong that you have to pull yourself down a mooring line. Gloves are required to protect your hands from the critters growing there.

 

[Neilwood]

What places have you found that don't allow a diver to have a knife? Granted, I'm fairly new to diving, but I've never heard of such a thing before (hasn't been an issue for me in the Bahamas, Florida, Aruba, or Mexico so far). My knife is attached to my BC shoulder strap and hasn't left that spot since I bought it (with trilobite on waist strap).

Red Sea marine parks. They have no issues with shears or similar though