What is scuba diving's orange shovel?

[3-Ring Octopus]

Do you seriously dive the PNW without a hood?

No- we don't... but when assisting with my SO's classes in the pool, we don't wear hoods. The slap strap stays on, only because there really isn't a reason to have different masks. Also- there are some rare occasions when the summer sun allows us to do some freshwater lakes around here sans hood and gloves.
And silicon straps have a nasty habit of snapping much more than the neoprene do... and neoprene slides better against other neoprene.

There should be a spin-off of this rediculous posting on what newbies should look out for from old salty divers too... this doesn't help the sport- if you love something, share it.

 

[Buoyant1]

I forgot about my Ocean Master DRY snorkel! (see pic to the left..it's the big hunk of plastic coming out of my head!) Oooooh that was a HUGE mistake (well for diving purposes!) For snorkelling, it works great, and wouldn't trade it for nuthin'!

But for diving? I ended up paying something like $8.00 for one that was a bit discolored because it sat in the shop and was surrounded by neoprene (which I'm told discolors silicone) It's nothing more than a plastic tube with a mouthpiece and good for surface swims or waiting at the site for everyone to splash in!

 

[Walter]

I forgot about my Ocean Master DRY snorkel! (see pic to the left..it's the big hunk of plastic coming out of my head!) Oooooh that was a HUGE mistake (well for diving purposes!) For snorkelling, it works great, and wouldn't trade it for nuthin'!

But for diving? I ended up paying something like $8.00 for one that was a bit discolored because it sat in the shop and was surrounded by neoprene (which I'm told discolors silicone) It's nothing more than a plastic tube with a mouthpiece and good for surface swims or waiting at the site for everyone to splash in!

Learn to use a snorkel and you'll like the simple J all the time.

 

[F106A]

Hey, Now I got TWO orange shovels. (But, I have a Magna Doodle, not L-P.) - AND, I have a lime green whistle which is the same color as my first zoom bag. But since I bought the whistle after selling the BC does that count? The whistle matches my current blue colored warm water zoom bag except for the color.

This is my orange shovel...

The slate, not the company selling it. Personally, I love LP!

 

[sgad]

I am a noobie. I just bought green Sherwood fins. I want to be seen in the murky NE waters. Safety first huuuuuum?
Love this sight, "What do you do to be seen?"; and there'll be a continuum of list as I progress. Stay tuned! Hint neon snorkel. lol

 

[Buoyant1]

Learn to use a snorkel and you'll like the simple J all the time.

No kidding! When they taught me about the "displacement" trick in OW class, I was hooked! First dive in a nasty current, I KNEW that the Ocean Master was history!

I have the "OM" in the bag with my back up mask which is also in the Orange Shovel catagory... it's a Tusa Visualator! Talk about a HUGE airspace to clear! That mask went into "back up" status after my first OW class! God help me if my SeaVision fails on a dive..I'd HATE to use that again!

Live and learn....(Don't get me started on demo-ing a Transpac and Transplate this weekend...the wife is gonna KILL me!)

 

[reefduffer]

I've been lurking awhile, registered just to ask this question.
I've read the entire thread, and every piece of equipment mentioned except one
(okay, two, I forgot pig stickers on thigh straps) seems to have at least a few defenders.
Why the hate for tank bangers?

I didn't get one until after about a dozen dives, because it solved a problem.
When I forget it, usually first day of a trip, I miss it.
It's inexpensive, light weight, no bulk, reliable, and silent in transport.
It stays completely out of the way of all my other gear, but it's
right there when I want it.
It works very effectively to get my buddy's (almost always my wife's)
attention, and hers to get mine. We probably use it on average twice a dive.

I've seen threads on this board about building/buying rattles, or horns.
No hate, so it can't be the noise that's being objected to.

So, I must be missing something. I'm not exactly a complete n00b but
I'm not that experienced, so I'm very open to being informed/educated.

Why the hate for what seems to me to be a near-perfect solution to
a problem I actually need solved, and which I use regularly?

 

[dannyw]

I really think that the phrase "If you don't need it, don't take it" covers most of the orange shovel stuff. Use what works and cut out the frivilous stuff that collects scum in your gear bag.

 

[Vtdiver2]

Why the hate for what seems to me to be a near-perfect solution to
a problem I actually need solved, and which I use regularly?

Read my previous post and it says the same thing. I have a whistle on my BCD D-ring, a retractor and other gear some have said are "orange shovels". My point was I have close to 800 dives, am definitely not a Noob, and use what gear I like and feel comfortable with. You should do the same, regardless what others might say, unless they have actually life threatening safety reasons for telling you not to use a piece of gear.
In my previous post I said the difference between a Noob and someone who's been diving awhile is attitude. A Noob buys what is recommended and looks around the boat nervously hoping his gear meets standards. Someone who's been diving awhile knows his gear and what works for him, and could give a s**t what everyone else thinks.

So, yeah, I really, really think you should throw away that worthless $3.99 tank banger and then go out and spend $20 on parts re-invent the wheel and build your own rattle. That way you'll be cool and everyone will like you.
C-Dawg

 

[Thalassamania]

Nqw, having a tank banger takes away the only excuse you have for that pig sticker on your leg ... banging on your tank with the pommel.