Okay boys and girls Time out:
There are 2 points here. First Reg and Mask, Second end of dive protocols
I'll be the first to admit that I lift my mask up at the end of a dive, and take my reg out and perhaps have a natter at the surface while were waiting for the boat. Heck I've even been known to climb the ladder with my reg out (but mask back on) But not if it's choppy.
On LOB and the like they all have different procedures. I prefer not to take my kit off in the water, but on a small boat they often insist, where as other times back at the main boat you just take off your fins and then climb the ladder (Mask and reg definitely in /on)
As for torches, frankly I think the DM signaling with a torch is all you need. Often dive ops tell people to turn them on before jumping and leave them on until back on board to stop people flooding them if its the twist to turn on) even then just clip them off or leave them around your wrist. You don't need to make like a WWII movie with beams searching the skies. There is generally enough ambient light, to see and rather than drifting off keep near the guide who has his light on. Even in Indonesia the boats have Nav light
I come from a position as someone who drives small pick up boats for divers. I look for the DM and have someone else with a torch scanning ahead. I pull up close but not too close and you swim to me, (rather than me run you down which is tempting at times)
But at times like these, paying attention to the dive brief will pay dividends even if you've done other similar dives. It's also respectful to the person briefing. More than once I've offered to let the person not paying attention, the opportunity to give the brief - never once has the offer been taken up
