Recreational divers, post your rig here, let's share good and bad ideas

[jborg]

As recreational divers, who spend most or all of their diving known and frequently visited sites, on what are usually relatively clean wrecks, we're not going to run into a vast array of dangerous entanglement hazards. Again, in 745 dives I can count the number of times I've snagged monofilament on one hand.

It's not like we recreational divers are making regular visits to the Andrea Doria, and our gear isn't configured like that.

And yet you feel the need to carry three computers, multiple cutting tools, ear plugs (?!), redundant SPGs...

 

[Blackcrusader]

I'm not understanding how you swam right into it and got so entangled that you needed others to help you out.

It was a night dive. I did not see the net as I ascended. Where did I write I needed others to help me out? You see you made another assumption. In fact I had to tell my dive buddies to back away from me and leave me to get out of the net myself. No point on them to risk getting tangled up as well. There were several exits I just got lucky and exited the one exit a net had been caught on. My dive buddies just provided some lighting although I did get blinded accidently a few times lol. Also they could watch calmly not using up a lot of gas in case we needed to buddy breathe. No SPG, dive computers, or octopus back then lol.

One thing my BSAC instructor taught was to be self sufficient when dealing with an issue and not depend on others. Also how to stop and remain calm and assess situation not just react without thinking. When I look back on the training I got at the BSAC club where he was my instructor I understand how his classes taught me so much.

 

[LI-er]

And yet you feel the need to carry three computers, multiple cutting tools, ear plugs (?!), redundant SPGs...

2 of the computers are in active use, for my primary tank and stony bottle. Yes I carry a backup nearly stowed in the BCD pocket. Along with a PLB and compass/slate. So?

I understand that you think a backup mini spg to my AI system is too redundant and that little case with earplugs doesn't need to be there (agreed, it's going into the tool box).

2 cutting tools and redundant signal devices are required for solo diving. As is a backup mask but I don't carry one on my rig.

 

[jborg]

I'm just trying to figure out if there's some sort of internally consistent logic behind on the one hand "it's just a recreational dive, I don't need to worry about things like entanglement" and on the other "I need three computers, multiple SPGs, and multiple cutting tools in case I get entangled while alone". I don't really see it.

 

[LI-er]

It was a night dive. I did not see the net as I ascended. Where did I write I needed others to help me out?

Sorry I misread. Still not understanding how you didn't see a big fish net even at night. Maybe you need a brighter torch.

If I was to dive a wreck at night I'd be extremely cautious, move very slowly and look ahead of my direction of travel. Ascending into a net indicates a lack of situational awareness.

 

[LI-er]

I'm just trying to figure out if there's some sort of internally consistent logic behind on the one hand "it's just a recreational dive, I don't need to worry about things like entanglement" and on the other "I need three computers, multiple SPGs, and multiple cutting tools in case I get entangled while alone". I don't really see it.

I never said there's no concerns about entanglement. I carry 2 cutting tools for exactly that possibility.

I said the concerns that have been expressed about my choice of using snap clips, zip ties, metal to metal connections, retractors, and 2-3 camera attachment points are overblown and not something I feel needs to be addressed.

I use the mini spg because I do occasionally lose signal with my otherwise reliable older Oceanic computers, and it's much easier to check tank pressure when setting up the rig.

 

[34109411]

So li-er nobody is attacking you, what the majority of people are saying is that your rig is not streamline. There is a lot of stuff dangling around i must noticed also.

I am a solo diver too the only thing on my bcd is a knife on my right side.(line cuter on the wrist of my dive computer).

I will also not suggest to put your knife on a retractable cable it might come back at you faster than you can imagine ! This tool must free of mouvement you actually doing the opposite of this being attached to your rig.

Compass on my hand tie with a bungee.

DSMB and reel in a pocket.

Nothing else on my BCD.

Pony on my left side one bolt snap attached on the lower and upper part that's it. (it seem on your rig you have multiple connections with d ring, ring, boltsnap, zip tie, small carabiner etc...)

Be safe

 

[LI-er]

So li-er nobody is attacking you, what the majority of people are saying is that your rig is not streamline. There is a lot of stuff dangling around i must noticed also.

I am a solo diver too the only thing on my bcd is a knife on my right side.(line cuter on the wrist of my dive computer). I will also not suggest to put your knife on a retractable cable it might come back at you faster than you can imagine !

Compass on my hand tie with a bungee.

DSMB and reel in a pocket.

Nothing else on my BCD.

Pony on my left side one bolt snap attached on the lower and upper part that's it. (it seem on your rig you have multiple connections with d ring, ring, boltsnap etc...)


Be safe

Where do you put your torch, PLB, 2nd cutting tool (as required for solo diving) and what do you use for additional signaling devices (also required for solo). You don't take pictures?

The retractor on the knife is low tension it isn't going to surprise me

 

[Blackcrusader]

Sorry I misread. Still not understanding how you didn't see a big fish net even at night. Maybe you need a brighter torch.

Your not understanding is not surprising.

Were you there? Even the other divers did not see the fishing net. At the time I probably had less than 100 dives. I was fairly new to diving. Would I have seen the net with a brigher torch? Who knows?

Maybe you can fill us in on your night dive experiences with fishing nets?

Most people also do not see fishing lines or nets till they get snagged. When I was diving in Bali at Padang Bai with Geko Divers I got hooked by a line with a large hook. Whoever was above me thought they had a big catch until I cut the line lol. The guide I was with didn't know and he was right beside me.

 

[LI-er]

Maybe you can fill us in on your night dive experiences with fishing nets?

Most people also do not see fishing lines or nets till they get snagged.

I don't have any night diving experience with fishing nets I guess they're very hard to see since most divers don't see them and get snagged in them.