Why no redundancy in mainstream rec scuba?

[dmaziuk]

Ha. he did TWO things wrong. #2 was what you described. #1 was the intention to put his mask in the communal mask bucket, from which ones gets sinus infections, pinkeye, whatever is going around. So, by throwing his mask overboard, he may have stayed healthy!

Shh, they may hear you and start adding sanizide to the water.

 

[TMHeimer]

reefrat, I applaud you for having all that extra stuff. What you describe doesn't seem like you're a walking Christmas tree.
For me:
--SMB on some dives if possible changing/strong currents.
--compass--on the console. Doesn't everyone carry (and usually use) one?
--spool. OK if there may be a need (I haven't carried one yet though I own one).
--pony: Yeah in the case of deep dives and dives where you suspect sub par buddy.
--buddy: agree that these are a reason a lot of redundancy is not required in OW course. Also agree they can be very
helpful but occasionally quite useless.
--You didn't mention dive computer--My instructor on Deep Course suggested I get one "If you're gunna do a lot of deep diving".
--spare mask: Not with me on the dive. Figure I can probably do OK if somehow I lose my mask (broken strap?--it does happen, but only has happened to me twice on land gearing up). I'm trying to figure out where I would put a spare--wouldn't fit in pockets with 10 lb. weights behind them. Where to put it so it wouldn't dangle.
--knife: take it 90% of the time, unless I KNOW there are no possible entanglements.
I think it comes down to type of diving. Most of mine are solo and usually less than 30' (my biggest concern of course is entanglement), so I basically need little or none of this stuff. But I have it all, and commend you for always using it.

 

[Bob DBF]

It really seems to me that the training agencies, at the OW level, really do not take scuba safety seriously enough, or maybe there is just a prevailing ignorance in mainstream rec diving regarding the realities of using life support equipment 100 ft underwater with minimal training and no effective redundancy in the event that ANY primary equipment fails.

I tend to agree, however it is not because they fail to encourage divers to carry more gear.

OW is to train a diver how to dive with a buddy, within the limits of NDL. It should also train the diver to use good judgment while making these dives.

If one is trained properly for OW diving, none of the redundant equipment is needed, as the buddy is the redundant equipment. In the case of separation, both divers surface, the closest redundant air, and either continue or end the dive, or start emergency procedures.

These procedures worked before the advent of the safety gear we have now (SPG, BC, and redundant second stage), which makes it easier to avoid problems and perform emergency procedures. If one was not properly trained, it is time to remediate the training, not add equipment thinking that gear is what makes you safe.

That being said, I believe that every diver should set up their kit the way they want. It would flag my attention is someone came on a benign warm water rec dive dressed to make a deep/deco dive in zero vis. I would not see a problem with it, unless I was made to dive with him, then we'd have to talk. Of course I always talk to divers I buddy with, as should everyone, but I would have to find out what that particular diver was planning to do with all the gear.


Bob

 

[EastEndDiver]

Dive with what you think is needed........oh as to redundant gas supply I have never heard of anyone suffering ill effects from having TOO much gas on hand.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

For recreational diving I use a
130 cu ft tank
Freedom backplate with a Hollis 38# wing
DIN regulator with a seven foot primary and necklaced backup second stage
Drysuit with a spool, liftbag, smb and whistle in the pockets. I rarely use them but they are not an entanglement issue in my pocket.
Computer on my right arm, compass on my left, spg on my left shoulder harness.
Camera with a Sola 800 focus light which could also be used as a primary night dive light.

I have managed to survive a lot of years without carrying anything more. Just lucky I guess.

 

[boulderjohn]

I did a series of dives in the Philippines a couple years ago that had me wondering about what I really needed. Many were very shallow dives, often not more than 40 feet or so. Some were a bit deeper. Given our planned dive times, the fact that we were using nitrox, and the full daily schedule, we would not be violating NDLs. Given our planned dive times, running out of gas was not a possibility. Navigation was a cinch. As close to shore as we were, we had no chance of getting lost at sea. When I thought about it, I really didn't need much of gear at all.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

When I was first certified I had a manual bottom timer and depth gauge. Now I can't dive with at least five batteries. I already have more than I need. I'm not about to add more to the mix.

 

[REVAN]

As I see it, there's a whole planet's worth of emergency breathing air just above the surface of the water. Assuming we're not talking about decompression or overhead diving, it will always be available if all else fails. Just swim to it.

As for the spare mask, I know many divers that dive without one to begin with. Many of the best freedivers ascend from several hundred feet without a mask. That's their normal MO. With a little practice, a scuba diver can learn to do the same. It's pretty easy to determine which way is up, even without a mask.

Personally, I carry very little scuba equipment when I dive. I'm more like a freediver with a scuba tank and reg. Some might say that I don't have enough equipment, but it's what I prefer. It's "MY" kit.

 

[tursiops]

As for the spare mask, I know many divers that dive without one to begin with. Many of the best freedivers ascend from several hundred feet without a mask. That's their normal MO. With a little practice, a scuba diver can learn to do the same.

Why would I want to do this? I go underwater to see things.

 

[gcarter]

As much as possible, I equip the same base gear for every dive.

BP/W, basic harness. Knife on waist. Whistle zipped to corrugated hose. 1st with 2 2nds, bare SPG. Small light clipped off (even on a high vis daylight dive you may want to look inside a crack!). Computer on right arm, compass on left. Ditchable weight on a belt.

Adders:

Strap on thigh pocket with DSMB, reel, slate, and shears on the outside gets added for any dive in current, and any dive off of a boat.

Backup light added for dusk / night, as well as deep wreck dives or those with low vis. Same with tank marker light.

Never a spare mask. Never a snorkel.

Have picked up a 40 CF to sling for cold & deep but have not yet used it.