I have thought about the whistle, and I am not sold on it being all that useful. I mean, if a boat is close enough to hear the whistle, wouldn't they be close enough to see the smb, or mirror?
Does anyone have a particular scenario where it would be crucial to carry a whistle. Obviously, it is not a big device, and can fit in a pocket out of the way quite easily, but I prefer to carry only equipment I need (or might need).
How is this for a whistle/dive alert siren scenario must...
You descend and have a wonderful dive, nice wreck, lots of critters, easy, no issues... perfect safety stop...nice casual ascent to an absolutely perfect fog bank! You can't see 5 feet!...yes it has happened to me! Trust me, you REALLY want one then.
Open water essentials:
*SMB 4-4.5' is sufficient. Spool/Reel with 50' of line. The skill to deploy, even at depth. 6' SMB is unnecessary, unless your in really big seas - this isn't usually OW, it's tech, at that point handling the big one isn't an issue
*noise maker; whistle, dive alert, siren, etc.
*mirror
*cutting device (multiple is better) I bring 1 knife, 1 trilobite
*at least one light, with fresh batteries! (I always have 2)
*redundant gas supply (reliable buddy or stage bottle, double tanks...not a spare air!)
*somebody that is aware of your plan to notify emergency response personnel if you are overdue
Non essentials, but I bring if I have pockets/space
*back up mask
*cutting shears
*wet notes, contains tables to back up computer(I always have a wrist slate)
*back up spool with 150' line