Tek Gear Checklist

[Tortuga68]

The OP would be much better off getting a 3x C cell backup light at this stage, rather than dropping $1000+ on a can light

An SMB and a fingerspool, some spring straps, wet notes & a bottom timer would be other cost-effective and useful items to add to his existing collection. A sew-on pocket or some tech shorts would be handy too, if he intends to continue diving wet

Converting to long-hose early would be beneficial

Let's not forget the training costs - no point having "all the gear and no idea"

Expensive items like a dry suit and can light can come later if and when required

 

[DevonDiver]

I dive to see stuff, not stare at my buddy's hands all day. A quick flash of the light is an easy attention grabber, allows divers to keep track of each other while not having to constantly look back every few seconds. Passive communication and all that. Its neat, try it. Not to mention, if you actually have a problem, waiting for your buddy to notice is the wrong answer. Use the light to holler at them. its your voice underwater. Proactive vs reactive and all that

We're talking about open-water technical diving. Passive communication, situational awareness... it's all there and not reliant on a light as a crutch. I teach proper formation and team positioning as a critical part of situational awareness. You don't need a light to gain my attention, you're in my field-of-vision. Wave your arms and it'll grab my attention. Proactive vs reactive and all that

Once again, negative. A gas switch with a light in your hand is possible (I've done it), but it makes for a disco show. Reaching back to dumb your wing blinds the guy behind you.

Sounds like a good argument why pointless use of lights is a dumb idea in open water... repeat: open water technical diving.

Demand a light to solve a non-existent problem. Light causes a problem. Demand a more expensive light to solve the problem caused by the light.

But hey... you look like a 'real deal' tekkie...

 

[Tortuga68]

We're talking about open-water technical diving

In the contect of this thread, we're (or should be anyway) talking about OW rec diving using tech gear that will be useful now. So the whole can light discussion is way off base

 

[PfcAJ]

I guess the OP will just have to decide if he wants to stick to clear water diving and be dependent (and limited) on his buddy's position relative to him or if he wants to take the reigns for himself.

 

[DevonDiver]

There's no 'dependency' involved... at least, no more so than if you were 'depending' on your buddy to light signal. There's either team diving, or there isn't. Light communication isn't the only element of team diving....nor is team diving dependent upon it. IMHO, it's being turned into a crutch for weaker situational awareness...

 

[PfcAJ]

There is dependency. Lets say for a moment that you're on a real tech dive, diving as a 'team', and you need your buddy's attention for whatever reason (OOG, entangled, gotta stop to adjust your pee valve, etc).

In your model, you are dependent on your buddy looking for your hand signals or being in the right position. Unless he's looking in your general direction, he's not going to see you.

In my model, you simple flash your light at your buddy. No matter which way he's looking, you can see that light. Simple.

Light communication isn't the only element (false dichotomy there), but it sure is a great element and is really handy. Should the OP decide to get into caves, or wreck penetration, or darker water diving, he will have developed good diving habits right at the start.

 

[DevonDiver]

There is dependency. Lets say for a moment that you're on a real tech dive, diving as a 'team', and you need your buddy's attention for whatever reason (OOG, entangled, gotta stop to adjust your pee valve, etc).

In your model, you are dependent on your buddy looking for your hand signals or being in the right position. Unless he's looking in your general direction, he's not going to see you.

You seem to be missing the point about situational awareness...

In my model, you simple flash your light at your buddy. No matter which way he's looking, you can see that light. Simple.

I had a buddy once do that. Clear, blue tropical water. I never noticed the light. Perhaps he hadn't spent enough $0000's on the right light?

What's next? By your logic, tech divers should carry 'underwater quackers'? You could make the exact same argument for carrying one of those laughable things... and exactly the same counter-argument (a crutch to situational awareness) would apply.

Light communication isn't the only element (false dichotomy there), but it sure is a great element and is really handy. Should the OP decide to get into caves, or wreck penetration, or darker water diving, he will have developed good diving habits right at the start.

I've dived wrecks for 20+ years... I teach technical wreck. You wanna know what torch I mostly carry? (it costs $25).

"Really handy" doesn't cut a $000 purchase decision. We (tech divers) don't carry stuff because "it might be handy"... we carry what we need.

Fashionistas... we all gotta look like Florida cave divers right?

 

[PfcAJ]

I don't care what PADI courses you teach or what you dive or how long you've done it. Your arguments don't pass muster. You JUST SAID that a buddy tried to get your attention and you didn't notice it, and you want to lecture me on situational awareness....

Come on, guy. Get it together.

All anyone has to do it watch the cover video on your vimeo page to know you're completely full of it right now.

 

[DevonDiver]

I said a buddy tried to get my attention with a light - and the light failed muster. If the buddy has been where he could be seen, aware of my peripheral vision, then he'd have gotten my attention immediately. That was, incidentally, how he got my attention...

Shame he didn't have an 'underwater quacker'....

And keep the agency wise-cracks and assumptions rollin'... it does help to dispel the notions of fashionista snobbery I've painted..

 

[PfcAJ]

I said a buddy tried to get my attention with a light - and the light failed muster. If the buddy has been where he could be seen, aware of my peripheral vision, then he'd have gotten my attention immediately. That was, incidentally, how he got my attention...

Shame he didn't have an 'underwater quacker'....

And keep the agency wise-cracks and assumptions rollin'... it does help to dispel the notions of fashionista snobbery I've painted..

The 'if' is the problem, champ.