Uses for a dive reel

[jsado]

Well, I wanted to buy something new and it seemed like a good idea. Fact is, I don't do any cave diving or any wreck penetration, yet. I bought a dive reel for a really good price on eBay. In a scuba magazine, I saw an article on how you can use a dive reel and a lift bag to perform a safety stop in blue water.

Anybody have some other good uses for a dive reel?

 

[vladimir]

No, but I have a lava lamp I'm trying to sell...cheap. Any interest?

 

[Bratface]

I guess you could take your dog for a walk on one.

 

[Buoyant1]

VERY long leash for a dog?

Makeshift clothesline?

(well he didn't say DIVE related uses!)

Sorry...I'm a

Yes...lift bag deployment...wreck penetration...cave penetration (both with the proper instruction)

You can also use it in search and recovery, for a circular search pattern. Some stays as the center pivot, and as they hold the line and circle around you, you pay out line each time they pass.

 

[Teamcasa]

Will suffice as a masons line in a pinch.

 

[spectrum]

Running a circular search pattern.

Flying kites

 

[Meng_Tze]

Makeshift clothesline?

You laugh, but I did use my primary reel several times as a makeshift clothes line. I was staying at a friends house doing some training and diving in the area. Drying my suits and undergarments worked fine on my reel spanned between two trees.

 

[dvguy]

Anybody have some other good uses for a dive reel?

If your buddy has a tendency to wander off, you could always tie the line to his tank and reel him/her in when they get too far away..... ... OR... you could use the reel as an underwater navigational aid for finding your way back to the boat... just tie the end of the line to the mooring anchor and enjoy your dive. When you are ready to return to the boat, just reel yourself back to the mooring anchor and follow the mooring line back to the boat! How easy is that!!!

 

[TSandM]

On a serious note, I've found a reel very useful for wreck dives, where the anchor line isn't close enough to the wreck for us to see it when we get to the bottom. Tie off a reel (it's not recommend to TIE to the anchor line, but sometimes there isn't anything else around) and swim to where you think the wreck is. Once you get there, you can lock off the reel and lay it down, but it will give you a track back to the anchor line for your ascent, which is very reassuring.

I've used one the same way when we were diving a rock reef and the anchor didn't go down exactly where we planned. And I've heard people use them at one of our popular wall sites, running one to the edge of the wall and leaving it hanging over to mark where they came in. Any time you want a sure way home, a reel can be useful.

We did use mine as a clothesline, the last day in Mexico, though . . . And used spools to hang up wings, and double-enders to keep hangers from sliding. It was pretty funny, and I wish I'd taken a picture.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Navigational aid and Cave/Wreck penetration are what they work best for, I reserve spools for shooting bags although reels work well for that too. I suppose you could put your dive flag on a reel if you use said device. Beyond that I dont see any use for a reel and if you cant come up with a use than dont take it on a dive. Owning is good cause you may find a use but diving with it for the same reason is foolish so leave it at home until you know your gonna need it.