Minimalist versus "Train as you Fight" . . . Which way do you go?

[Jax]

Reading some recent threads, there seem to some interesting view about "how complicated one's rig should be", or not.

The Army has a saying, "Train as you will fight." It means that you always have the gear with you, you train in that gear, and do all tasks from simple to complicated in that gear. It becomes second-nature to have it, work in it, and use it in all environments.

There are others who change gear for every environment. They set up different for Caribbean, Atlantic SoFl, lake diving, cave diving, ice diving (idjits), and pool diving. They have more or less lights, different light, more or less or different cutting tools, with and without SMB, with and without spare mask, more or less or different spools -- and all stored in different places depending on the dive.

So -

Do you reconfigure your kit for dives?

Customize for every dive? or

Do you have a couple of different kits that you stick to?

 

[randini]

I have a pretty minimalist kit that I use just about always, but then I don't do ice, cavern or lake diving. The only changes in my diving are the water temperature and clarity so the only things I change are the tanks, wetsuit and amount of lead.

I keep a cutting tool, small flashlight and a small slate & pencil in my BC pockets. They only come out when I use them or for a post-dive wash. Once dry they go right back in the pockets.

I will add on gear as needed. For example if I do a night dive I'll carry a bigger light, but still have my small spare in my pocket.


Sometimes I change my camera setup, but that's another story.

 

[TSandM]

Well, EVERYBODY knows where I stand on this . . . minimalist basic kit, always the same, add accessories as required by the dive. Whether I have a single tank and a 17 lb wing or doubles and a deco bottle, my inflator hose is always in the same place, the same length. My d-rings are the same, and all my procedures are the same. Makes life easy.

 

[nielsent]

I have found, like others here, there is some resistance to using a bp/w for teaching OW where I am. So as a result I have two kits. One is a recreational jacket bcd and the other is my bp/w doubles kit w/ ss bp and a single tank version w/ a aluminum bp. I also use quick releases on the single rig so that I can adjust it to others wishing to try the bp/w system.

 

[Jax]

Well, EVERYBODY knows where I stand on this . . . minimalist basic kit, always the same, add accessories as required by the dive. Whether I have a single tank and a 17 lb wing or doubles and a deco bottle, my inflator hose is always in the same place, the same length. My d-rings are the same, and all my procedures are the same. Makes life easy.

Do you carry the same lights with you? I'm thinking - if you have different lights for different dives, then what happens when one is on a Caribbean dive and you reach for the third light - which you may not have brought . . .

And cutting tools - Do you keep only the one knife? I have shears, Z, and knife, and have them all on the same location for both SM and single kit.

Spools, reels?

I've already found myself swapping regs while in my singles kit . . . and thought, why not? Keeps up the muscle memory.

I find it easier to carry the same stuff in the same pockets, and hook on the same lights on the same rings . . . and went to double chest D-rings on my single.

Just wondering if the 'thought' of changing gear makes it more complex than it really is.

 

[Jaydubya]

If you fight minimalist then there is really no difference between the two.

My basic kit is always the same and I only carry what accessories I might need. When I carry an accessory it is always stowed in the same location to facilitate deployment through muscle memory.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

In principle, having a simple consistent set of equipment is a good idea. It minimizes the chances of forgetting to bring a piece of gear to the dive site, it standardizes pre-dive/buddy checks, and it increases the chances that you will generate an appropriate response in an emergency situation (LOA/OOA, runaway inflater).

When it comes to regulators, a strong argument can be made for maintaining the same style and location of alternative air source...whether a diver is using that reg for ice diving or a lazy reef dive in warm water. I'm a single-tank OW recreational diver, and I use my 5-ft long hose primary + bungeed necklace backup reg most of the time when I dive locally and on warm water vacations. On the other hand, my backup regulator set has a standard 30" primary + 40" octo. Admittedly, the hose configuration on my backup regulator set is a compromise since my usual travel buddy dives a similar 30"+40" setup, and I want either of us to be able to use the backup set if our usual reg set is malfunctioning. Periodically, I'll dive the backup reg set at home so as to practice air-sharing and verify that the regs are working properly.

In principle, the "train as you fight" adage sounds appealing. Taken to an extreme, however, the mantra (as applied to scuba) can get a little ridiculous. For instance, different water temperatures call for using various levels of exposure protection. Different amounts of exposure protection or a different tank configuration might necessitate a BCD/wing with more or less lift.

Probably the best we can do is to try to keep our gear consistent (within reason) and practice emergency procedures on every dive.

 

[waterpirate]

I train how I fight and fight how I train. The only thing that changes is the capacity of doubles and the under wear in my dry suit based on temps.
Eric

 

[TSandM]

My lights depend on the dive, but number one to four, and are always in the same position. Caribbean reef dive? I might just take the can light without a backup. Caribbean night dive? Might just take two backup lights (canister is too much light!) Puget Sound open water dive? Can light and one backup. Cave dive? Can and two backups.

Right now, I'm carrying only one cutting device, which is the waist-mounted knife. But I have an EezyCut and I think I'll put it on my Goodman handle.

I add or subtract peripherals like that as they are needed, but if I am carrying a piece of gear, it's always going to be in the same place.

 

[NuclearOOPS]

Everything goes in with me, with the exception of my camera (depending on vis), and my primary light. A lot of times, if the dive is getting boring, Ill just start working on skills, and practice removing equipment, using it, and the reattaching.