Jul-2018
10 things every scuba diver needs
Whether you are already a scuba diver or you’re on the way to become one, you’ll know how addictive it is to buy the right diving gear. There are many options when it comes to scuba gear and they are renewing them all the time! Once you have your basic equipment you’ll want to start looking at the accessories. Here is my pick of favorite items for scuba diving.
Number 1
- A pneumatic audible alarm
Also known as a duck fart, a pneumatic audible alarm helps you to signal your buddy or other divers while underwater and it even works on the surface. It’s a clear sound that doesn’t affect your surroundings as much as a tank banger as it is less aggressive.
Number 2
- A good dry bag
When you’re traveling to a dive site you want to carry your personal belongings in a bag that stays dry. A safe way to transport your things is in a dry bag. If any water drips on the bag your items remain dry. Quite important when you buy a dry bag is to check that is has a strap long enough to wear the bag on your shoulder. Not all the dry bags have this.
Number 3
- A surface signaling device
A buoy or the well-known ‘SMB’ is an accessory that is actually a necessity. Whenever you feel like boats or even jet skies are above you on the surface taking up your buoy will let them know that divers are below. It’s not just for the dive boat to know where you are so that they can pick you up. It also gives the surface support an idea of where you are at the end of your dive. In case you’d be alone as a missing diver you wouldn’t want to surface without anyone knowing that your ascending, so always carry a surface signaling device with you.
Number 4
- A trusty dive knife
Fishing nets are commonly found while diving, now imaging getting stuck in one. If you have a dive knife with you it might just safe your life! Also entangled fish can be saved by your knife 😉
Number 5
- A good dive light
As you’re most likely aware, certain dives are lacking sunlight. Deep dives, night dives, cavern dives, wreck dives and more. To be able to look into an overhang you also need a good dive light, so why not have one of your own that works well?
Number 6
- A first aid kit
Ever accidentally cut yourself while getting back onto the dive boat? It’s always good to have a first aid kit at hand after a dive.
Number 7
- A warm hood
Every diver has experienced one or several moments of coldness during diving. Your head is the source of 20 to 40% heat loss while diving so why not wear some extra thermal protection over there?
Number 8
- A safe dive computer
A dive computer is not an accessory as it’s a piece of scuba equipment you can’t be without. As it’s not easy to choose from the wide variety of dive computers I own several. My Scubapro Galileo Sol is always my main dive computer, but I have two different back-ups. It’s good to have an extra dive computer on your arm while diving just in case your main computer stops working for whatever reason. This way you won’t need to end your dive and continue the fun!
Number 9
- A flexible snorkel
Whilst most scuba divers ditch their snorkel after some time as it ‘gets in the way’, it is highly recommendable to keep one with you during your scuba dives. If you’re one of those divers who doesn’t want to dive with a snorkel attached to their masks than a flexible snorkel is right for you. Just fold it up before your dive, place it in the pocket of your BCD and take it out when needed. This way you’ll always have one with you, but it’s not dangling next to your mask when you don’t need it.
Number 10
- Underwater slates with pencil
Feel the need to talk to your buddy underwater? Or maybe you’re a scuba instructor and wish to communicate without signs sometimes. An underwater slate with a pencil let’s you write and read underwater. Time to start playing Tic-Tac-Toe during safety stops!
Which Dive accessories can’t you dive without?
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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