Signaling Equipment

[WellBelowH2O]

As far as signaling equipment goes, what do you guys have on you when you go diving? I've talked with a lot of divers (and read a lot of posts) who stress the importance of signaling devices and such and that you should have them all the time. This seems to be just talk with some of them, because when I was out on a dive w/ some of them, I asked "what do you have w/ you now" and half of them didn't have everything they had said. So... just curious what you guys are carrying on each dive.

 

[Chad Carney]

Dive Alert and a big dive flag in a pocket.
A small dive light.
SMB if on a deco dift dive.

Chad

 

[lairdb]

As far as signaling equipment goes, what do you guys have on you when you go diving? I've talked with a lot of divers (and read a lot of posts) who stress the importance of signaling devices and such and that you should have them all the time. This seems to be just talk with some of them, because when I was out on a dive w/ some of them, I asked "what do you have w/ you now" and half of them didn't have everything they had said. So... just curious what you guys are carrying on each dive.

Always, every dive, no matter where:

Bellows pouch that strings on harness belt (goes on every dive -- in fact, hardly ever gets opened, so the contents don't have much chance to vary) :
mirror
spool w/50 feet of #24
mini dye marker
whistle
shears
mini strobe w/lithium battery

On backplate: 7' semi-closed SMB
On inflator hose: DiveAlert
On harness: small light (UK SL4 or PrincetonTec Surge; whichever comes to hand first.)

Sometimes, or always if night or overhead:

On harness: second small light (UK SL4 or PrincetonTec Surge; whichever comes to hand first.)

Always if night or overhead:

In hand/on harness: main light

 

[ScubaTexan]

As a reflector, I carry one of those AOL CD/Roms to reflect sunlight. Works like a charm...

 

[Gary D.]

The Tri-Finger is always good to have handy for boats that pass tooooo close.

It's easy and compact.

Hold your hand up high. Fold little finger and thumb into your palm which exposes your three fingers closest to your thumb. When the time is right lower fingers #1 and #3. The device is now deployed. Leave it up as long as needed. It is easy to repack for a quick deployment later. Use as often as neccessary.

Gary D.

 

[Tristessa]

I have an ACR firefly for night dives.

 

[Scuby Dooby]

I carry a 4C cell flashlight, a 6 ft DSMB and a strobe on all dives, regular fixtures in my BC pocket.

 

[Floridawannabe]

As far as signaling equipment goes, what do you guys have on you when you go diving? I've talked with a lot of divers (and read a lot of posts) who stress the importance of signaling devices and such and that you should have them all the time. This seems to be just talk with some of them, because when I was out on a dive w/ some of them, I asked "what do you have w/ you now" and half of them didn't have everything they had said. So... just curious what you guys are carrying on each dive.

I carry whistle, small compact mirror, Chem Lights(Orange), a 20 x 24 Dive Flag for my Kayak, a cell phone in the Kayak(told could dial*USCG), and a very, very, very loud voice

 

[trevinkorea]

I never used to carry anything other than my primary light.

Now, I carry two backup lights (great for passing off to mark your buddy in low viz), a yellow 50# lift bag and spool (doubles as a saftey stop marker, lift bag, and signaling device), an oral inflate see me tube for surface use, a newly aquired signaling mirror, I should carry a whistle but I don't as I am usually close enough to shore to swim in (a long ways) if needed. I also sometimes take along a snorkle (only if I have to) to throw at an inattentive deck hand.

For safety I also carry at least two cutting tools and some extra nylon rope. I've actually used the rope if I want to set up an innertube and flag marker or set down a guide line on a wreck if conditions warrent.

The other piece of "safety" equipment I often take along is a short rope (about 6 feet long) with loops on the end in case I get into extremely low vis areas. I can connect to my buddy so we don't lost eachother. We usually don't tie or clip as it is a safety issue.

Finally I usually take at least a 20 CF pony on all dives, if below 60 feet always.

My regular dive buddy is usually similiarly equipped.

In the future I would like to add another smaller spool and an orange SMB as well as some sheers.

 

[trevinkorea]

Sorry, I forgot the most important "pieces" of safety equipment I almost always take along on every dive.

1. cell phone - to call for pizza and let my wife know I'm still alive.

2. dive buddy - to enjoy the dive with.

3. surface crew - to wait and pay for the pizza.