Safety sausages and other essential safety gear

[Lorenzoid]

It's a personal choice.

In Colorado, many of us have had wilderness training and there is something called The Ten Essentials. They go with you on any hike you do :

1. Map
2. Compass
3. Flashlight/headlamp
4. Extra food
5. Extra clothing
6. Sunglasses
7. First aid supplies
8. Pocket knife
9. Matches
10. Fire starter

As individuals we who carry these things have many, many variations on each item and everyone has different specific versions, we learn to find the smallest, lightest versions that meet the criteria so they are not a burden to take along and you won't be tempted to leave them behind. They just go on every hike automatically and you never have to be in a position of wishing you had brought something when you need it.

I only bring this up because in relation to scuba diving, I look at my scuba safety devices the exact same way, in scuba safety there are the 6 essentials:

Whistle
Mirror
Cutting tool
SMB on a reel
Light
PLB

Because of my wilderness training I apply the same logic to these, and have purchased the smallest, lightest versions of each that are acceptable so that I can take them on every dive and will never have to worry about wishing I had one when the emergency happens, because they will simply be there. You have them, you can forget about them and enjoy diving always knowing you've brought along everything you might need to deal with an emergency. Total cost for all of the 6 essentials should be under $400.00.

I hope I am correct in interpreting the "I" as meaning this is what you bring for your diving--not that it should serve as a list of "essentials" for everyone. I mean, someone who dives in a small quarry probably doesn't need a PLB, or SMB and mirror for that matter. It's a fine list for open ocean diving.

 

[Steve_C]

A while back I picked up one of those orange streamers. Rolls up into something the size of a small hotdog and stuck in the bottom of my BCD pocket where it stays all the time. Deployed on the surface it forms a 30 ft long bright orange streamer. Supposed to be easily spotted from aircraft at a great distance. This in addition to DSMB, reel, couple lights, cutting tools, etc. When further offshore I also carry a small strobe.

 

[snowdog]

What safety gear should be classified as essential…… “Adult diapers”….. Depends.

Everyone has their own “Basic” set of safety equipment; these lists of essentials do vary and are dependent on “personal preference”, “the dive plan”, or “the dive operations requirements”.

Years ago I got caught up in the mode of, this might happen so my list of required safety gear was almost 18 items long.

My streamlined lists of items are as follows (and they are always in the same location)
SMB with a 16’ spring coil w/carabineer (I no longer use the reel, it was just too much hassle)
Flashlight (led) for all dives (day or night)
Cutting tool
Whistle

Depending in the dive plan, I could add:
Mirror, for the open ocean dives
Second light (night dives)
Led tank strobe (night dives)
Reel in place of the spring coil for the SMB (deep dives)

There are three key points to ponder:
1. Can it multitask (can it be used for two functions) for example the “SMB with a 16’ spring coil w/carabineer” once it deployed it can be used during the safety stop depth aid during drift dives.

2. Does it impact “Task Loading” i.e. the reel, dealing with the extra line could add additional task, and stress.

3. Weight and Drag, everything we carry impacts the weight of our gear when we travel and our buoyancy, as well as our drag in the water.

 

[BDSC]

I guess I'm way under the radar with only a whistle on every dive and a SMB on some dives.

 

[snowdog]

BDSC, just think about just how little (ok none) we used back in the 70s....LOL

 

[BDSC]

True.

 

[Rich Keller]

That comment was tongue in cheek and appreciative at the same time, BTW, not intended bratty. Interesting to note as a woman diver, my approach is different... not better not lesser. My bliss is to dive with what I need but unencumbered with anything else or extra-- lean and mean and slim and efficient with uncomplication that is not necessary. When I dive, I feel sublime and very present in the moment. So I want to add gear only to the point I am effective and safe and a good asset to my dive group and myself, and not further. Interesting different approaches. But that is what makes the world go round. It's all good. I've spent 25 years of my adult life in the company of a few wonderful men who I recognized find their joy to a large part in the gear and using the gear (whether sailing, kiyaking, backpacking, or scuba, etc.). Can appreciate that, even if I don't share that myself.

I use the minimum amount of gear needed for the dive I am making and what safety gear I carry is specific to that dive as well. I see very little value in deploying a SMB from depth but on charter boat dives I carry one and a finger spool. For the most part you will not know you need to use a SMB until you get to the surface and see where you are, so I carry one but not attached to the spool. I have been carrying a finger spool on charter boat dives long before the SMB was invented. If I am left behind I would attach the line to my weight belt then drop the belt so it will anchor me in the first place someone will come back to look for me. Searches always start at the last known point of contact then expand out from there. As for the whistle discussion, they are too easy to carry, zip tie it to your BCD hose. I always carry a knife, sometimes more then one and that can also double as your mirror. The only piece of safety equipment no one has mentioned is a snorkel. The average human head weighs about 14lbs and if you have been left behind you do not want to waist energy holding it up or have to depend on your BCD to hold your head up. Like the whistle a snorkel is too easy to carry, I never go in the water without one.

 

[Edward3c]

I use the minimum amount of gear needed for the dive I am making and what safety gear I carry is specific to that dive as well. I see very little value in deploying a SMB from depth but on charter boat dives I carry one and a finger spool. For the most part you will not know you need to use a SMB until you get to the surface and see where you are, so I carry one but not attached to the spool. I have been carrying a finger spool on charter boat dives long before the SMB was invented. If I am left behind I would attach the line to my weight belt then drop the belt so it will anchor me in the first place someone will come back to look for me. Searches always start at the last known point of contact then expand out from there. As for the whistle discussion, they are too easy to carry, zip tie it to your BCD hose. I always carry a knife, sometimes more then one and that can also double as your mirror. The only piece of safety equipment no one has mentioned is a snorkel. The average human head weighs about 14lbs and if you have been left behind you do not want to waist energy holding it up or have to depend on your BCD to hold your head up. Like the whistle a snorkel is too easy to carry, I never go in the water without one.

I always carry a Delayed SMB. There have been occasions where it came in handy, but the dive plan would never have required one. For example, during a shore dive my buddy lost a weight pouch (4kg) and I used the reel to control the assent by attaching it to some wreckage and winding us up.

As for the snorkel, I’ve carried one for over 30 years.

Kind regards

 

[Lorenzoid]

Experienced divers who favor snorkels--now that I wouldn't have expected. Your logic makes sense to me, though. Do you carry the folding kind in a pocket or a regular snorkel attached to your mask?

 

[Rich Keller]

I use a regular snorkel attached to my mask. When I started diving the two things you never went in the water without were a snorkel and a knife. Both are easy to carry and too useful to leave behind.