what to do with flashlight?

[davidbaraff]

I'm not new to diving, but this is such an embarrassingly stupid question I kinda had to post it here:

I finally got a light for diving (Intova compact torch). It comes with a rubber wrist strap. So the question is:

how do you attach something like this? I.e. I can't imagine I want it on my wrist when I'm doing a swim, having it flop around, or when I'm jumping in from a boat, and banging me in the head. And if you don't use it for a lot of the dive, then what?

This is for cold-water diving, so I'm wearing a 7mm. Putting it in a pocket till I need it, maybe, though getting stuff out of my BC pockets (can't turn my head far enough down to see them) is kinda tough.

So what do you all do?

 

[cmburch]

If I am night diving, I have a larger light on my left wrist. My small light I have strapped to my gun for looking in holes, under crevices, etc. A small light I would tie a snap bolt to a D-ring, clip the lanyard, and put the light in a pocket so it will not get scratched up. Then just pull it out when needed. Make the attachment long enough so it does not need to be unclipped to use, unless you want to unclip it. No need to look since you know it is clipped and can feel it, and it will not get lost. Put your name/phone number on the light just in case though.

 

[Cave Diver]

Attached to a d-ring with a stainless steel boltsnap and held in place by a small piece of bungie.

 

[idocsteve]

In my last BCD it was on a retractor and kept in a pocket. When I wanted it, I'd reach down, without looking, remove it from the pocket and use it as needed. When I didn't need it for part of the dive I'd simply let go of it and the retractor would keep it hanging close to my body.

My new BCD doesn't have enough pocket space for my light and for a few other things I keep in there, including a compass/slate and a foldable snorkel, so I'll probably just leave it clipped to the retractor and hanging close to my rig.

Once I forgot to clip it to the retractor during the pre-dive gear up, and put it in the pocket as usual. During the dive, after using it for a bit, I let go of it..for the last time. If I hadn't turned it off I would have been able to locate it, but unfortunately it was off, and I was inside the USS San Diego at about 100 feet and I didn't have the time to scrounge around looking for it.

 

[Chocula]

When I am wearing a BC with pockets and it fits, clip or tie off the flashlight using the wrist strap to a D-ring above the pocket. I then put it inside the pocket and zip it with the wrist strap sticking out. When I don't have pockets, it gets secured with a rubber band to my chest strap in addition the being tied or clipped. The rubber band just keeps it from flopping around.

I take it out of the pocket and unclip/untie it by feel. Once unclipped, my hand is through the wrist strap. It may not be necessary to clip it off when it is in the pockets, but I tend to loose things that are not secured. If I open the pocket to get something else, I may not notice that I accidentally pulled out something else with it.

 

[Rand]

Another option might be to use something like this:

Lights - Goodman Handles and Light Accessories - Raider I - II Light Sock - Northeast Scuba Supply

I have a Dorcy light and it fits in there perfectly. I'm not sure how your Intova would work. I have the Intova model with two CR123A batteries with the magnetic switch (sorry forget the model name) and it is a little loose in there, but as long as the lanyard or clip was secured to the bungy on the handle, you would be ok. You might also be able to do some sort of DIY fix to tighten up the elastic sleeve the light slides into.

For daytime dives, my light is clipped to a d-ring and secured to a strap with bicycle tubing. I use the wrist sock at night. Works well with a camera.

 

[captndale]

Please do not carry accessories like flashlights on your wrist. I always cringe when I see divers with flashlights, cameras etc. hanging from lanyards on their wrists while climbing back onto the boat. A sudden wave or boat movement could cause the diver to slip and fall. If the object on their wrist were to catch on the ladder a broken wrist could be the result.

 

[FireInMyBones]

Attached to a d-ring with a stainless steel boltsnap and held in place by a small piece of bungie.

I do the same thing minus the bungee. I use bicycle inter tube.

This method keeps it tucked away but accessible with one hand. Just turn the light on before you unclip it.

I love the Intova light as a backup.

 

[Bonesnews]

Most times I just use a small carabeaner and attach a ring to my light, attach the light with the ring and carabeaner via a d ring on my BC and that way I can use it and not lose it.

 

[Codiak]

Something like this
Picasa Web Albums - Charles - CPF