If you’re like many divers, you spend time in a variety of different underwater environments, each with unique challenges to consider as part of planning. Your needs will vary depending on where you’re diving, and depending on what activities you’ll be doing while underwater. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a fantastic list of safety gear essentials to keep on hand. You might choose to carry some of them at certain times, or to incorporate all of them into your standard kit.
A High-Quality Whistle
While a whistle is a very simple piece of equipment, the sound it makes is incomparable, and almost all mariners are taught to keep their ears open for the sound of a whistle being blown. When a diver is separated from his or her group, everyone at the surface listens for the shrill blast this simple signaling device makes. Small, extremely portable, and capable of being heard from up to a mile away, a good whistle is one item you should never be without.
Safety Sausage
Most of us have seen a safety sausage at some point; for those who have not, these inflatable devices are a little like buoys that float at the surface, marking your position while you’re diving. Simply attaching yourself to a safety sausage with a spool will show boat crew members where you are, and deploying a safety sausage after a drift dive can help crew members rapidly pinpoint your location for quick pickup.
Dive Knife
Why anyone would debate the importance of carrying a dive knife under certain situations is beyond us – but it does happen. As any diver who has ever been tangled up in a net, a clump of discarded heavyweight fishing line, a piece of rope, or even a tough strand of kelp can tell you, a sharp, sturdy dive knife can literally be a lifesaver. In addition, many divers use their knives to anchor themselves in current, and many have had the opportunity to free trapped marine life using their dive knives – an act of kindness that wouldn’t be possible without this simple piece of equipment. You can carry your dive knife with you on all your dives, or bring it along only when you think you might need to use it.
Dive Light
While you might not need a dive light when exploring a shallow, well-lit reef environment, you definitely need a light for peeking into cracks and crevices, peering into wrecks while you stay outside, and exploring the underwater world after the sun goes down. You need a good primary light and a backup for wreck diving, and you might even bring more than one backup along when cave diving. You can use your dive light to enhance underwater photos, and you can use it to see colorful reef features that are completely washed out by the blue tones that take over as the water absorbs the rest of the spectrum.
Compass
It’s a good idea to carry your compass with you on all dives, even if you think you won’t need it. With a compass, you can easily navigate through the underwater environment, and being able to find your way, even in the dark, can be a huge confidence booster. There are many different dive compass styles available, so choose the one that appeals to you most, and use it often so that you keep your navigation skills fresh.
Dive Watch
An old-fashioned dive watch can be used to keep track of your bottom time, safety, stops, and surface intervals, and in the event your dive computer malfunctions, its value becomes immeasurable. Look for a quality dive watch that has an elapsed time controller, bezel markings, and helium release valves. Pick a style you like, but be sure that the watch you choose is one that reviewers have rated well.
Dive Computer
You can choose a simple dive computer or a fancy model that’s capable of all sorts of functions. While not necessary for simple dives, a good dive computer is indispensable for diving more complicated sites; with a depth gauge, SPG (submersible pressure gauge,) and many other features all in one compact package, the right dive computer can make diving easier and safer. Be sure to have your dive computer serviced on a regular basis, as recommended by its manufacturer.
Cylinders / Tanks
You can’t be a scuba diver without cylinders or tanks – that is, unless you’re able to use a rebreather. Of all the “safety gear” you carry while diving, tanks are among the most important. Besides your primary air supply, consider carrying a pony or another source of spare air. Having a secondary air supply is one of the best ways you can protect yourself while diving.
Quality Scuba Mask
Invest in a good scuba mask that’s designed to last. Not only should you look for a mask made with quality components, you should also look for one that is compatible with spare straps or that comes with spare straps. The more often you dive, the more likely it is that you’ll need to replace a mask strap at some point, and it’s a great idea to keep one in your BC in case your strap fails while you’re underwater. Add a spare fin strap while you’re at it. Can you imagine trying to finish a dive without a working fin or a mask? It doesn’t sound like much fun to us.
Appropriate Dive Suit
Initially, new divers tend to think of wetsuits as expressions of personal style, but after just a few dives in open water, it becomes readily apparent that the right dive suit protects us from scrapes, keeps us at the right temperature, and provides a buffer between us and dive gear that might otherwise chafe uncomfortably. If you plan to dive in cold or very deep water, consider becoming qualified as a drysuit diver. You’ll stay even more comfortable, even when your adventures take you to inhospitable places.
Needless to say, quality safety gear is often a bit costly, but when you stop to consider the many ways in which your equipment stands between you and discomfort, injury, or even death, the costs suddenly become much more acceptable. So choose wisely, make room for safety gear, and keep it well-maintained. You’ll be glad you did.