'Must have' safety items?

[BalekFekete]

D.A.N. Master Plan $65

DAN | insurance: dive

First thing we set up after we finished our OW cert. dives, but at Preferred level for both of us.

 

[AdivingBel]

yep...+1 +1 +1 DAN

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Folks have offered alternate views on whether to bring a reel for your SMB or not. I'd ask you how good your buoyancy control is, especially when hovering in water 50' (or more) deep but only 15' from the surface. Can you confidently and consistently hold a safety stop? If, so I'd leave the reel at home. Keep your eyes peeled as you ascend, and listen for boat traffic. If you might cork from 15' to the surface, and you don't want to risk a Divemaster not having a reel and SMB, then bring the reel. If you cork, at least you'll have a marker....

I could see modifying this a bit depending on local conditions. I hear tell (not much experience) that there are a lot of crazy boaters in an unnamed state and they can be hazardous to surfacing divers. Where I dive, we tend to hug the bottom when surfacing and the shorelines tend to be steep. Boats don't go where we ascend, generally.

 

[Marie13]

Spool takes up less room than a reel.

 

[Johnoly]

Spool takes up less room than a reel.

SS Eyebolt takes up even less........

 

[Akimbo]

Spool takes up less room than a reel.

True, but it is such a PITA to get the line back on a spool without twisting it like a candy cane. I have a friend that brings one of those really small battery powered screwdrivers with a DIY tip to respool his line on deck.

The downside is he has to pass a handful of string, deflated DSMB, and spool up to the crew before climbing the ladder.

 

[The Chairman]

True, but it is such a PITA to get the line back on a spool without twisting it like a candy cane.

Swap the reel around in your hand and spool it on the opposite way every 5 or 10 turns. Changing from clockwise to counter-clockwise will eliminate the twist.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

You should have a guide. I'm in the Poconos and familiar with Bermuda. I also have cargo pockets with all the safety gear you need!

 

[Akimbo]

Swap the reel around in your hand and spool it on the opposite way every 5 or 10 turns. Changing from clockwise to counter-clockwise will eliminate the twist.

True, but you are more patient than I am. I so rarely need to deploy a DSMB from deepwater that I just carry it rolled up with 20'/6M of narrow webbing wrapped around it.

I have a reel with 200'/60M of line for deep decompression dives when I can't reliably find the anchor line or diving in high currents.

 

[hilljo88]

Consider taking something for seasickness, if you are susceptible. Bermuda boat dives can be bouncy.