What to carry instead of knife

[pj5]

It seems like a lot of dive destinations that I might go to do not allow you to carry a knife. So what do you carry instead of a knife to cut yourself or your buddy out of entanglements? I've seen that some dive shops sell bandage scissors. Do they work well? Is there something that works better?

 

[Mo2vation]

It seems like a lot of dive destinations that I might go to do not allow you to carry a knife. So what do you carry instead of a knife to cut yourself or your buddy out of entanglements? I've seen that some dive shops sell bandage scissors. Do they work well? Is there something that works better?

Love them. In 500-some dives, I've deployed my knife once - but used the shears over a dozen times. Plus topside, I use them to cut tie wraps and other stuff. I always have them.

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Ken

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I like EMT shears. They cut through 1/2" rope like butter, and will even cut a penny in half. I actually tried it to be sure.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Do they go thru your pockets?

EMT shears are nice, however I can see a situation where having a knife would be better, such as if your fins became entangled.

 

[spectrum]

I've seen that some dive shops sell bandage scissors. Do they work well? Is there something that works better?

They work great. I've been meaning to get an extra set for my workshop. Seriously, they really are a good tool to have. One nice thing is that you don't have to restrain the material you are cutting, just get the jaws around it and snip.

The other item you can find is a line cutter. It's like a J shape with a razor knoife embedded in the hook of the J. Just wave it through smaller strings and line.

Pete

 

[douglasville diver]

No doubt the Z-knife is one of the best ways to go.I mount mine on the inflator hose so it always easy to reach.
That along with the EMT shears should get me or my buddy out of trouble no problem.
I still carry a dive knife if for nothing else it looks cool.

 

[Mo2vation]

Do they go thru your pockets?

EMT shears are nice, however I can see a situation where having a knife would be better, such as if your fins became entangled.

a) that's what your buddy is for.

b) unless you're diving spring straps, EMT shears will cut your fin strap much faster than any knife. If you are diving spring straps, the EMT shears will just take a little longer to get through the foot pocket.

c) if you carry your knife macho style on your calf (like about 50% of people) how are you going to reach it if its THAT fin thats tangled?

d) if you can reach your own fin with a knife, why can't you reach it to slip it off and get out of the entanglement?

How is a knife a better choice for the fin entanglement?

Curious.

---
Ken

 

[daniel f aleman]

EMT Shears and a z-knife are what I carry when not allowed a standard knife. Be sure to practice with new tools first in your local diving envirement.

 

[Charlie99]

It seems like a lot of dive destinations that I might go to do not allow you to carry a knife. So what do you carry instead of a knife to cut yourself or your buddy out of entanglements?

I've never had anybody strip search me at those destinations that prohibit knives, so I just leave my folding/lockback knife in the BC pocket where it always resides.

I always carry a pair of EMT shears in addition, and usually go to them first for most cutting jobs. The only thing the knife can do better than shears is to saw through a mooring hawser or other very thick rope.

 

[MoonWrasse]

a) that's what your buddy is for.

Buddies aren't 100% reliable.

b) unless you're diving spring straps, EMT shears will cut your fin strap much faster than any knife. If you are diving spring straps, the EMT shears will just take a little longer to get through the foot pocket.

I wasn't thinking of cutting up the fin, just any monofiliment line which could get caught around the buckle.

c) if you carry your knife macho style on your calf (like about 50% of people) how are you going to reach it if its THAT fin thats tangled?

Not me, mine's a Spyderco folding knife, which fits into a bcd pocket nicely. Nothing James Bondish.

d) if you can reach your own fin with a knife, why can't you reach it to slip it off and get out of the entanglement?

How is a knife a better choice for the fin entanglement?

Curious.

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Ken

Personally I'd prefer to carry both EMT + folding knife. I agree that EMT shears would likely be the better choice 90+ percent of the time, it's just a few circumstances I can envision a knife would be the better tool.