Dive Safety Gear: An Absolute Need For Every Diver

Over the course of your diving career, you'll probably use a wide variety of scuba gear. But there are some tools that need to be in your regular toolbox. Having shears and a line cutter handy is highly recommended, because bringing cutlery on board can be difficult or perhaps prohibited (based on local laws). You should also think about bringing an EPIRB, which, in the event that you surface during a dive unexpectedly, transmits distress signals to global satellite networks.

Coverage

One of the most important pieces of gear for a scuba diver is the mask. Its ability to see clearly underwater is its primary purpose. To focus, human eyes require an air gap between them and the water; otherwise, eyesight underwater will be hazy. In addition, masks keep water out of a diver's mouth and nose while they are diving and enable hand signals for communication (additional equipment needed for human speaking). A mask that fits well will adhere firmly to the face and be simple to adjust while in use. Try on a few masks, then select the ones that fit and feel comfortable. One or two lenses are common in masks, and some models also incorporate bottom lenses for better visibility.

Fins

While a cylinder, weights, exposure suit, BCD, regulator, and mask are the essentials for any diver, advanced diving equipment and other essential items should also be carried by every diver. These include half masks, which cover the eyes only and allow the diver to speak underwater, and full face masks, which shield the diver's head while supplying air through a mouthpiece. Additional tools include probe rods, which are used to poke about the dive site's bottom to find objects buried in sand or silt. A slate and pencil can be handy for conversing with other divers, noting dive information, and carrying pre-dive planning underwater.

Controller

Breathing underwater is made possible by your regulator, which converts high-pressure tank air into ambient pressure. It has two stages: one that attaches to your cylinder valve, and the other that attaches to your mouthpiece or BCD inflator through a hose. There are two types of modern initial stages: diaphragm and piston. Cold-water divers use diaphragm regulators because of their superior performance in these conditions. Other crucial safety equipment that can be utilized to draw rescuers' notice, such as whistles and personal locating beacons, should also be taken into account. Screaming can actually require more energy than whistling, which is significantly less efficient.

BCD

For scuba divers, a buoyancy compensator, or BC, is an essential piece of gear. They employ it to create positive buoyancy on the top and neutral buoyancy below. They are available in many designs to accommodate divers, ranging from vest or jacket styles to back-inflate and wing configurations. However, they all function in a similar way: You can float by adding air with the inflator hose; to sink, release the air. Dump valves, found at several locations on the shoulder or hip, are a feature of many BCs. These let you swiftly let go of air, which is particularly useful in a situation involving a rapid or uncontrolled ascent.

Wetsuit

The most important equipment for any diver is a wetsuit. Neoprene, which acts as insulation, slows down the loss of heat and keeps a diver comfortable during the dive. Carrying a slate and pencil is essential for a diver to be able to carry pre-dive plans underwater. Navigational aids like a compass and emergency signaling equipment like a strobe or delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB) are vital. If you want to cut through kelp, nets, or monofilament lines that could entangle you during a dive, shears work better than a knife. Additionally, especially in cold water, they are less prone to puncture a dry suit or hose.

Mittens

Gloves shield the hands from the cold and abrasions, allowing divers to hold onto their equipment firmly and converse with their dive partners more successfully. They also aid in preventing seemingly unimportant but potentially fatal incidents. For an airtight fit and to reduce water flushing, look for gloves with a waterproof wrist closure. To keep the hands warmer, think about going with a thicker pair of gloves. However, diving gloves should never be interpreted as permission to handle marine animals or engage in unsubtle environmental interaction. A better way to safeguard reefs is to teach and coach divers in finning and buoyancy, and to encourage a "look but don't touch" mentality.

Lamps

During night dives, lights are used not just to illuminate the underwater environment but also for signaling and communication. They aid in illuminating the conventional hand signals used by divers and are particularly helpful on challenging dives where effective team communication is crucial. Take the diving conditions and your demands into account when selecting a dive light. Those who intend to use a GoPro or dive camera to capture images or videos ought to go with a multipurpose light that is ideal for this use. A light with a narrow, focused beam, for instance, can help produce clear, colorful photographs.