Redundant gear---beyond o-rings

[twinkles]

I hope this isn't to garbled, as I just had a three martini dinner. I have decided I am a committed scuba diver and have started booking some scuba diving trips. So what redundant gear should I consider? Pretty much I plan to be a warm Carribean vacationing diver---Bonaire, Cozumel, Belize, are pending. So what do I need beyond the basics. I am thinking a redundant dive computer. But I was thinking also about a redundant regulator and octo. This is not redundant during a dive but redundant at the surface so I do not miss any dives (although I was thinking I might dive with a redundant computer so it is "up to speed." This is for my wife and me. We will already have redundant masks. But beyond that what should we have?

 

[S. starfish]

The big stuff like regs and bcd's take up a fair bit of space in the luggage and you can rent 'em anyway, so I wouldn't bother getting a spare of those. Things that would be good would be o-rings (not just for tanks - for computers, lights, camera housing etc.) and masks like you've said. Fin/mask straps, mouth pieces, zip ties, small spare light... all the small things that could ruin your day and have you thinking "it's so simple, why didn't I bring one along? IF you're diving with fins that have plastic quick release buckles I'd bring spares of those too, I've seen a number of them break (alternatively, spring straps would eliminate this problem completely). Bring things that you can't rent or have easy access to, like an extra battery for your camera (assuming it's rechargeable and you do in fact have a camera). You could dive with a back up computer, but I think that's a bit overkill and kind of expensive.

 

[spectrum]

Masks, mask strap, fin straps, tank O-rings, black Nylon carpet thread / needle / scissors, spare mouthpiece, zip ties and a toenail cutter for clean flush cuts are first echelon items.

I travel with an extra regulator set, a QD hose for the BC in case the quick disconnect takes a powder, tools to make the swap. Back-up batteries for your lights. The destination price will be very high and you probably won't be able to buy them after hours when you find you need them. A general o-ring kit is good to have along with small amount of silicone grease to keep any o-rings including those on your lights happy.

After that you need to decide how close you want to come to bringing a complete dive shop. Some of this will depend on the support that will surround you at the destination. Your luggage allowance is also something to work within.

Pete

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I dive with a backup (cheaper/used) computer. You can find one on E-bay just put it in a pocket and forget it. Unless you are diving Nitrox then set it put it in a pocket and forget it. You might want to compare it to your primary so if you push your primary you will know if you have to make a stop with your back up (if you miss the stop it probably will lock up etc...) I have used an air computer as a back up when diving Nitro and just did the stops to keep it happy.

A back up Credit card is very valuable when out of the country in case your credit card company puts a hold on yours for suspicious activity.

 

[diver 85]

I hope this isn't to garbled, as I just had a three martini dinner. I have decided I am a committed scuba diver and have started booking some scuba diving trips. So what redundant gear should I consider? Pretty much I plan to be a warm Carribean vacationing diver---Bonaire, Cozumel, Belize, are pending. So what do I need beyond the basics. I am thinking a redundant dive computer. But I was thinking also about a redundant regulator and octo. This is not redundant during a dive but redundant at the surface so I do not miss any dives (although I was thinking I might dive with a redundant computer so it is "up to speed." This is for my wife and me. We will already have redundant masks. But beyond that what should we have?

Out of the 2 you listed, actually none are needed as all equipment like that can be rented if necessary......In over 900 dives 'down south', I've never had my regulators mess up & I just started diving with a computer about 50 dives ago(learn & trust the tables & you are OK---after all, most Carabbean dives are maxed timed & depth for your convenience)........don'y worry about it, spend your money on more martinis---if that's what kicks you........

 

[Blackwood]

I have used an air computer as a back up when diving Nitro and just did the stops to keep it happy.

Maybe this is semantics, but if you dive such that you please your backup, isn't it really the primary?

 

[matts1w]

Maybe this is just semantics, but isnt all this gear you want to bring "spare" or "backup?"

Redundant*implies gear worn during a dive to solve problems underwater.

Anyway, having traveled to some of the most remote locations in the Caribbean and South Pacific, I have found that packing light is BY FAR a more superior idea than lugging around a spare dive store. Buy quaility gear, keep it well maintained, learn how to do some simple on the spot repairs, and keep things simple.

 

[Colliam7]

Pretty much plan to be a warm Carribean vacationing diver---Bonaire, Cozumel, Belize, are pending. ... I am thinking a redundant dive computer. But I was thinking also about a redundant regulator and octo. ... We will already have redundant masks. But beyond that what should we have?

Agree with the sentiment (Matts1w) to travel light as a priority. Masks, and fin straps as mentioned, along with small, light items such as a universal tool, ty-wraps, etc. are fine. Spectrum provides a good list. Maybe even small back-up lights if you plan on night diving. But, minimize the extra stuff. I don't even carry spare batteries any longer - yes, they are pricey in resorts, but I am already paying $$$ for the trip and the extra cost of local batteries is trivial by comparison. You are planning to go to areas where you can rent, even buy, big items that may fail - regs, BCD, exposure suits. I wouldn't buy a second computer just to have redundancy, either. Tables are cheaper (and lighter). If you have good primary gear, the chances of catastophic, vacation-altering failure are small. And, if that does happen, there are plenty of dive shops in each of those places ready to assist. They are far more likely to stock a new reg than some nail cutters or thread.

 

[redacted]

After a poor "professional" service job from an LDS and the experience of having to use a boat spare reg, I always have a spare reg at the dive site (and do my own servicing). I've only had to use it once saving my dive from a problem that occurred as divers were entering the water. But it has saved the dives of a number of other divers including the dive master on one occasion. It also allows me to push the service interval from annual to as needed which works out to 3 to 5 years with good care before I start to encounter IP instability, small leaks, or degraded performance.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Maybe this is semantics, but if you dive such that you please your backup, isn't it really the primary?

I suppose you are correct, it is air only and cannot be downloaded so I consider it a backup. Thanks though I will label it Primary incase I get pulled over by the scuba police.