What do you carry with you when diving?

[icechip]

Thanks for the replies. It seems to me that there are 3 necessities

1- Something to cut line/rope
2- Something to signal with visually on the surface
3- Something to signal with audibly when on the surface

With a Light Source being a 4th, necessary with backup for night dives, or optional if you're into looking into little caves during day dives.

A snorkel could be useful as well, but is more Dive Specific.

What I'm trying to do is plan for eventualities that I may encounter in diving, taking into account what kind of diving I do.

I'm aware that different dives require different equipment, but I figured that learning from others experiences is helpful to everyone.

I usually go with a whistle zip-tied on the inflator hose, a DGX light, mesh carry bag, smb and a knife.

 

[icarusaxu]

For liveaboard diving a must is a reel and SMB, I would not dive without it. A Nautilus Lifeline GPS locator would be an essential too in my opinion in areas where there is strong currents and there is a risk of losing your group. I also carry a knife in case of entanglement but have never used it.

 

[rhwestfall]

This really depends on the diving you intend to do.

 

[NothingClever]

For liveaboard diving a must is a reel and SMB…

I wouldn’t limit yourself to LOBs as the moment these are a ‘must carry’. Anytime a boat and current are involved is enough.

This would be like me saying, “I just install my turn signals when I go on the interstate.” Well, prudent judgment and responsibility tell me that every time I operate a motor vehicle I need to communicate to others my intentions and actions.

 

[Jai Bar]

For OW dives besides the standard equipment (buoyancy, mask, fins, regulator etc.):

A line cutting device or/and EMT shears (on harness waist webbing)
Small torch (on right shoulder webbing)
SMB w/spool (pocket)

For liveaboards I take a few spares just in case I lose or break one (don't necessarily dive with them, besides computer and torch for night dives): mask, fin strap, torch, computer, smb. When I go with whole family I also add one extra bladder (just the inner thingy), one inflator mechanism, one extra fin for all of us. I happened a few times to have a family member lose a fin while climbing to dingy, twice managed to salvage in time, once used the spare replacement.. Computers had also three times where the spare was needed: once someone placed the tank on, another battery died, and one also went overboard or what I call a tribute for Neptune...So spares do come handy sometimes.