DM Equipment

[DivingGal]

Beyond the necessary basics, what would be the next equipment that a DM should get - to become a "great" DM? Pony bottle? line?

As nothing is for free, I would like to budget for the appropriate item(s) in the next year.

Your suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[LoCz]

Diving Gal i cant really help but im sure it will help the other guys if you list your current equipment

:goofy:

 

[DivingGal]

Well I have what I call the basics: wetsuit (a "cold" one and a 3/2), a shortie, tanks, BCD, reg & octupus, lights x2, SPG,compass, computer, slate, knife, mask, snorkle and fins.

So my question is what next?

 

[Mario S Caner]

The PADI instructor manual lists the following equipment as necessary gear for the instructor and all certified assistants:

Mask Fins and Snorkel
Compressed gas cylinder and valve
BCD with a LP inflator
Regulator and an alternate air source
SPG (Submersible Pressure Gauge)
Depth Gauge
Weight system and weights (if needed)
Adequate exposure protection
Timing Device
Compass
Knife/Divers tool
Emergency signalling device
Dive flag (if required by local law)

That pretty much covers it. These are the minimum pieces of gear required for you to have on you during all phases of an open water class.

I also use (in addition to the above) a rescue bag, Pony bottle, First Aid kit, extensive save a dive kit etc. I plan on aquireing a full face mask and some underwater communication gear to use during classes. A transmit device for me and a half dozen receive only units won't set me back too much, but will offer immesurable advantages during the class.

Mario

 

[scubabunny]

Truthfully, in my opinion, one of the most valuable items a DM or Instructor can have is a cell phone! In the event of an emergency, it can save precious time getting help (especially at beach divesite, where there is no ship radio) and it can make little problems alot easier to handle (locking keys in the car, for example).

 

[SubMariner]

Sorry, 'bunny, but cell phones do not work everywhere; they have a very finite and limited range. I have been on many dive sites where a cell phone may as well be a rock, for all the good it would do in terms of communication.

What IS essential is that the person who is responsible for the logistics of the dive (DM &/or Instructor) have an EMERGENCY PLAN that is specific to that particular geographical area. And that includes communications.

Example: where is the nearest hospital? Recompression chamber? How do you summon emergency assistance? Is there O2 & other first aid items on site? Etc., etc., etc.

That's why part of the training for a PADI DM includes (amongst other things) how to draw up an emergency plan for a dive site.

Mario, interesting about the full masks... While I see the advantages you are talking about, the first & foremost *disadvantage* is the fact that people should be training with the type of gear that they will be using when they dive. Ideally, it would be their own gear.

In addition, since they will not always have access to these types of masks or in the event of radio failure in these units, it is important EVERYONE learn and use the standard u/w hand signals.

IOW, I think they are a "nice to have" NOT a "need to have".

~SubMariner~

 

[Warhammer]

I don't know, Mario, I kinda like the solitude the comes with diving. If I had on a headset, the Mrs. would ruin 75% of our dives, saying, "No, don't go there, stop that, and etc etc." I can see the benefits of it from a class standpoint and on advanced dives, like penetrations. But then again, Submariner has a good point about training in what you intend on using. And most new divers aren't willing to shell out the bucks for the gear. As far as classes go, I think the biggest advantage to be gain in a class by instructor and student, would be one on one instruction. I know that in today's "price conscious" world that it just isn't practicle in alot of cases, but still that would be the best way.

But I do see a future for comm gear. Probably some day in the near future it will become standard for charter boats to be equipped with it and all a diver has to do is provide their own headset.

 

[Mario S Caner]

Hey guys, you can utilize underwater comm gear without using a full face mask. I wasn't really referring to the students using them anyway.

As for cost, well they aren't as expensive as one would think. I just happen to beleive that it would be a valuable tool during classes.

I too love the solitude, but have on occasion wasted a minute or two communicating with a slate. There are some things that can't be explained to it's fullest while underwater by using only hand signals. Think about how cool it would be to talk to a student about a particular form of life while at depth. It would sure beat the standard teach em in the classroom with books and slides method, pointing at it at depth and then talking about it back at the beach. It would work... but it's WEAK!

Mario

 

[LoCz]

What about, and this is only an idea, using proper hand language (sign language) like the hearing impaired. Being able to talk the whole english language with your hands would be great, although i expect it would also be a lengthy undertaking.

 

[DivingGal]

Thanks for the advice one and all.

I agree that cell phones are usefull, but as mentioned they don't work everywhere. In fact when I go to one of the main diving sites in my area (the St Lawrence River), we have the problem that if we dial 911 we are more than likely to be "picked up" by the cell network in the USA. Not particularly useful if we're in Canada. So as part of my Emergency Plan that SubMariner mentioned I've included a warning that if dialing 911 ensure you identify that you're in Canada and that it's a diving emergency... I've also included numbers for the hyperbaric unit, hospitals, police, coast guard - well the list goes on (if you're ever in the neighbourhood I'll pass it along)

It was my plan to get a pony bottle and a signal device (one of those inflatable tubes)next so I think I'll stick to the plan.

Mario - what did you mean by a "rescue bag"?