Least Favorite Piece of Equipment

[Trace Malinowski]

For over a decade now, I've done almost all of my diving without a BC and I've enjoyed my dives more as a result of the improved streamlining and light/compact size for traveling.

Are you diving off boats at resorts? If so, have they been accepting of you diving sans BCD?

 

[REVAN]

Are you diving off boats at resorts? If so, have they been accepting of you diving sans BCD?

Mostly shore or private boat in warmish waters (3mm suits or less), but I have done many dives from standard cattle boats as well. So far, I have not had any issues. Honestly, I don't think anyone really pays much attention and I don't go out of my way to point out that I don't actually have a wing on my harness. So long as I've got a 'C' card and money, they have what they want. Besides, I usually do a better job of staying off the reef than the others, so it all works out.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

You might consider applying to be the divemaster awareness tester for the industry.

 

[Wookie]

Mostly shore or private boat in warmish waters (3mm suits or less), but I have done many dives from standard cattle boats as well. So far, I have not had any issues. Honestly, I don't think anyone really pays much attention and I don't go out of my way to point out that I don't actually have a wing on my harness. So long as I've got a 'C' card and money, they have what they want. Besides, I usually do a better job of staying off the reef than the others, so it all works out.

Like a snorkel, I've never seen a requirement for a BCD once you are certified, but don't necessarily think that the boat DM is just in it for the money. If you were on my boat, one of my crew or I would certainly notice you didn't have a buoyancy device. And we'd discuss it. We just wouldn't discuss it with you. Unless you proved incapable of diving. I had many clients without a wing, or who might wear a horse collar. Or might not.

 

[Joneill]

Are you diving off boats at resorts? If so, have they been accepting of you diving sans BCD?

No!!!! Let's not go down that rathole again!!!

 

[CT-Rich]

Useless accessories? Insta-buddies unless she is really hot.

I laugh at the audible alarms on computers. I have one that I have never heard... I dive without my hearing aids, so it's a tits on bull situation.

Going over to an air2 got rid of my octopus, which was useless for air sharing on solo dive was also a positive change.

Dragging a flag is a PTA, but cheaper than a ticket.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

My Nitek3 used to let me know when it was dry. Alarm would beep when it entered or exited water.

 

[The Chairman]

No!!!! Let's not go down that rathole again!!!

Indeed.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Is that rabbit hole the correct weighting thread?

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Oh. Yeah. Just read it and gave my 2 cents.

"Correct Weighting" Identified as #1 Needed Improvement in SCUBA Diving