Night Dive Equipment Requirements

[ShakaZulu]

We did a night dive last night, and it got me thinking. What equipment is required to make night dives safe? Eg. Compass with a florecent display, flares etc. Since there are so many avid night divers on this board, maybe we can get some suggestions and links on what you use........... I'd rather learn from someone elses experiences.

 

[ShakaZulu]

http://www.joediveramerica.com/Merc...DA&Product_Code=SL-6000&Category_Code=aeslate

This seems like a kewl idea, I find it difficult to write on my slate and hold the light at the same time..........

 

[geraldp]

We did a night dive last night, and it got me thinking. What equipment is required to make night dives safe? Eg. Compass with a florecent display, flares etc. Since there are so many avid night divers on this board, maybe we can get some suggestions and links on what you use........... I'd rather learn from someone elses experiences.

Let's see there's a chapter in the SSI night/limited visibility specialty book on equipment, but I loaned out my book. If I remember correctly there's a primary light, a backup light, and a tank locator light (or strobe). A Compass was in there. They also wanted shore lights (preferably a gas lantern) to help you find shore for a shoredive. Otherwise a strobe if you're diving off of a bouy or boat. I don't recall any mention of flares.

I've only been on a couple of night dives so far... what impressed me most was the glowing eyes of all the sea creatures. I found an old tire with hundreds of glowing red eyes on it. Lots of little shrimps. Also the bioluminescence... turn out your lights and wave your arms. The bubbles sparkle and glow in the dark. I could spend an entire tank just watching the light show. Hope to do a tropical night dive in Cozmel this Fall...

Jerry

 

[Quarrior]

We did a night dive last night, and it got me thinking. What equipment is required to make night dives safe? Eg. Compass with a florecent display, flares etc. Since there are so many avid night divers on this board, maybe we can get some suggestions and links on what you use........... I'd rather learn from someone elses experiences.

I have recently converted to a cannister light. Works great for hands free diving and is now part of my weight system, therefore I dive with it day and night. Of course I also always have two backup lights on my harness. For night dives I add a flasher/locator on my tank.

As for being able to write and use the light at the same time, since I switched to the new light, it's not a problem. My compass is a Suunto SK7 and works nicely in low light, but using the light on it really helps.

 

[OE2X]

I do a lot of night dives in Seattle. These are only shore dives so my configuration is based on that.
Terkel Can Light
Halcyon Scout backup
SK-7 compass
Uwatec Alladin Air II Nitrox computer used as a bottom timer/depth
SMB
The only thing I want to add is another backup light.

This is the same configuration that I use during the day though. It seems anything deeper than about 20' having a light is very nice.

Strobes or tank markers - We don't need no stinkin' tank markers. Just another thing to get tangled. Buddy awareness is key here. If you can't see your buddy, then you can see their light at all times. If I don't see his/her light beam then I start locating them really quickly. They may only be dumping air, but at least I know that. We use our lights for communication more so than hand signals. It is rare for my buddy to be much more than 6' away and in low vis we are shoulder to shoulder.

Boat dives or having an up line to a float are another thing and this is where it is good to have a strobe hanging 15' down or at the bottom of the up line.

 

[junior diver]

I use a Glo-toob to attach to the top of my float so that people can see me. My gauges and compass glo for about 30 seconds after you quickly shine your torch on them. I attach a strobe to the top of my tank and I have two back-up lights, no primary light. I fell in love Sunlight SL6. Unfortunately this means I'm changing the batteries every two dives.

 

[RichLockyer]

With an 18watt HID, there is no need for glow-sticks or tank strobes. Even practicing "improper" buddy awareness, and even in heavy kelp forests, you are not likely to lose your buddy for long.

Actually, tank strobes are never a good idea, as strobes are intended for use in an emergency.

 

[DORSETBOY]

I think strobes are intended for emergency use at the surface, underwater and especially in low viz I think they are excellent as the short bursts of intense light are more penetrating than most torches and easily cut through murky water.

 

[JimC]

I hate diveing with or around people using strobes. They are way to bright and kill any chance of having my eyes adjust to the darkness.

 

[Damselfish]

http://www.joediveramerica.com/Merc...DA&Product_Code=SL-6000&Category_Code=aeslate

This seems like a kewl idea, I find it difficult to write on my slate and hold the light at the same time..........

They also make slates that glow after you shine your light on then, and no batteries required.