Horse beating continues: Diver in Cozumel REFUSES to remove gloves and knife.

[CaptEsteban]

A rule is a rule. As a captain, I would not have let him make the dive, from my boat.

 

[D_B]

Carry a cutting tool ... always

that does not mean it's a knife ... shears or J knife work

gloves ... I think that if they are all guided dives, then I should be allowed to use them, if I touch the reef even once, the DM will see and can react appropriately to it
.. but I'll not wear them if I have too

 

[founts]

The real shame here isn't that there are situations where people are asked to NOT carry a knife, but instead that perception that people carrying knives can't be trusted to not use them.

Obviously, a few lowest-common-denominator types ruined the experience for others who were able to figure out that cutting things off of protected underwater parkland is a bad idea.

Thankfully, I have never had to use a knife while diving. Of course I would like to have the utility option to do so if it was a safety necessity. As often with rules and laws, they are set to control people who are unable to make good decisions on their own.

 

[billindenver]

Being that mexico does not allow even the carry of a pocket knife in public, I don't find it shocking that an 8 inch dive knife strapped to a divers leg is considered a bad thing. The country as a whole doesn't approve of knives...so I think this rule is more an extension of that than a response to someone using one to pry off a piece of the reef. Though I could be wrong.

The gloves issue seems to be an effort to protect the reef as is the rule that follows it...no sunscreen that is not biodegradable, which I am sure is supported with as much fervor and personal attacks as all the other rules.

 

[cruiser]

For those of you who carry shears instead of knives, where do you find a pair that can withstand saltwater and not fall apart?

I actually think shears would work better for me than a knife in the Caribbean. I've only used my knife in warm water to cut monofilament that has gotten tangled up in coral/sponges, but shears would be easier and not require a "sawing" motion.

 

[scubawife]

For those of you who carry shears instead of knives, where do you find a pair that can withstand saltwater and not fall apart?

I actually think shears would work better for me than a knife in the Caribbean. I've only used my knife in warm water to cut monofilament that has gotten tangled up in coral/sponges, but shears would be easier and not require a "sawing" motion.

Stainless steel EMT shears. Lots of dive shops (LDS and the big online stores) sell them now so you don't have to find an EMS supply. They start around $10.

There's also lots of different line cutter tools that are pretty small and can attache right to your BCD. I have a small Zeagle one that came w/ my BC and I just left it there.

 

[lamont]

No, a knife is NOT mandatory scuba gear by ANY agency that I'm aware of...Optional, yes - mandatory - no!

mandatory in GUE. from the standards document:

Each student should have, and be familiar with, all of the following required equipment:
[...]
3. Backplate System: A rigid and flat platform of metal construction with minimal padding, held to a diver by one continuous piece of nylon webbing. This webbing should be adjustable through the plate and should use a buckle to secure the system at the waist. A crotch strap attached to the lower end of this platform and looped through the waistband prevents the system from riding up a diver’s back. A knife should be secured to the waist on the left webbing tab. This webbing should support five D-rings; the first should be placed at the left hip, the second should be placed in line with a diver’s right collarbone, the third should be placed in line with the diver’s left collarbone, and the fourth and fifth should be affixed to the crotch strap to use while using a DPV or towing/stowing gear. The harness below the diver’s arms should have small restrictive bands to allow for the placement of reserve lights. The system should retain a minimalist approach, with no unnecessary components.

knife explicitly, not shears, no exceptions.

 

[chrisc]

Some Key words here Student and Should Have.

Does not say Is Required for dives after course...

knife explicitly, not shears, no exceptions.

It also states under 3.9.2.10

#8 At least one Cutting Device

PS
#6 states you need to carry Decompression tables with you
#9 Wet Notes
#10 Spool with 100' of line

 

[JeffG]

I think it is just common sense to always have a cutting tool when diving.

The tool I have is a knife and I wouldn't take it off for some DM.

Its a bad day of diving if you need one and you don't have it.

The reasons the rules are there I can agree with, but IMO the rules themselves strike me more as a knee jerk reaction trying to solve the problem.

 

[CZMDM]

I think it is just common sense to always have a cutting tool when diving.

The tool I have is a knife and I wouldn't take it off for some DM.

Beautiful attitude Jeff. I would put you ashore if you did not comply. Don't feel bad you wouldn't be the first.

BTW speaking of common sense.....out of the tens of thousands of dives made here every year, how many times have you heard of divers getting caught up in monofilament fishing line? The number 0 comes to mind.