We see you, we’ve been there…you recently got certified as an open water SCUBA diver and are pulling the plastic off of that shiny new set of dive equipment. Yeah, all of us here at DRIS are also active divers and have been there. It’s a pretty cool feeling huh? Well, before you strap that BCD to a tank and screw in the regulator set for that next dive let’s talk about a few other pieces of dive equipment that can make your next adventure a whole lot easier and safer shall we?
Dive Equipment That Will Make Your Dive Safer
While you have the basic life support equipment, bear in mind that you are going into an environment that is foreign to man and requires a few extra pieces of equipment to be safe. So what are they?
Dive Sausage/See Me Float
If you’re diving in the ocean this piece of equipment is a must if you plan on diving in any large body of water. It allows you to be seen from a greater distance on the surface in the event that you surface a ways from your boat or point of entry.
Whistle or noise making device
This falls in line with the dive sausage. If you are in a large body of water you need to be seen and heard on the surface. A simple whistle will often suffice for these purposes, but if you want something a little louder and something that will also make noise underwater check out the Dive Alert.
Dive Knife or Cutting Device
When you dive you are often venturing into areas where entanglement is a real possibility. From discarded balls of fishing line, to kelp, to guideline you will often find something underwater that will snag or entangle you. It is for this reason that a cutting device on your dive kit is always a good idea. You can opt for a knife or a safety type cutting device, both will suffice.
Reel or Spool
When it comes to a piece of dive safety equipment, a dive reel or spool is a no brainer. If you carry a safety sausage and are diving in a current you’ll need a reel or spool to deploy it while you are ascending. In addition, a reel or spool is a necessity for navigating on your dive.
Oxygen Analyzer
Each and every year a number of dive accidents occur that could have been prevented through a simple pre dive step. That step is analyzing the contents of your dive cylinder. With mixed gas and Nitrox diving being so popular, dive shops and resorts have more to deal with than simple air in dive cylinders. Of course, controls are in place and most dive shops do very well at ensuring that you are getting the proper breathing medium for your dive…mistakes can still occur. So be the prudent diver and invest in an analyzer and be able to check your own tanks before diving them.
While this list isn’t the be all/end all of dive safety equipment, it is surely a good start to get your dive adventures on the right(and safe) foot. Of course, the crew here at DRIS are always available to answer questions and make product recommendations!