Whats in your dive bag?

[Rickk]

I don't mean the usual stuff like dive gear but the things you don't see often that have come in handy or been essential for a dive trip.

My contributions are some large sized heavy duty plastic bags. They can be made into a sort of protection suit on shore if it turns cold and windy, just cut a slit in the middle of the bottom for your head and on the sides for your arms. You can also use it to pack wet gear for the trip home so your trunk will not ending smelling like a swamp. ( Once doubled as a Halloween costume where I went as "White Trash".)

Get the orange ones so they can be used as a signaling device in an emergency. They can also be used for garbage too.

The other in my save a dive kit is about $50 in local currency, Diving here is all group escorted dives and often the local vendors will come out to sell t shirts. Handy for that but if you end up stranded some cash on hand will help.

 

[Bigbella]

Aside from the usual materials, I carry extra regulators; an assortment of hand tools; IP gauges; an O2 meter; a couple of rebuild kits, which have come in handy over the years; a Zippo; gangion; a collapsible pole spear; leather needles with sewing kit; neoprene cement and patches; AquaSeal; an assortment of o-rings; spare HP and LP hoses; a ziplock full of blind screws; various anti-inflammatory meds; and meat tenderizer for relief from angry cnidarians (which, sadly, I've used a few times, over the years) . . .

 

[DBPacific]

Aside from the maintenance stuff (Aquaseal, spare parts for my regs, spare hoses, extra battery, and extra basic first aid), I always bring a bottle of tea, cantaloupe slices, and reef-safe sunscreen. Going to add a urinary funnel to my bag as well though for when the water is too cold or rough to use the salty bathroom and there isn't a toilet on board or shore

 

[Divectionist]

Whilst not technically in my dive bag (which is a jam packed pelican air case), I bring this thing to shore dives: Hozelock 1.25L Viton Garden Sprayer

A pump sprayer filled with water is a good way to give my regs and valves a quick spray of fresh water to give salt less of a chance to cake in before I can clean my gear at home.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

A lot of my dives are independent so no dive center or amenities so i keep a lot of stuff in my car.

Other than the usual "save a dive" kit that i have i carry an outdoor camping light that can be plugged to the 12V socket of my car, a 30L PVC pipe rigged to be fresh a water tank with hose attached, complete coffee & tea kit , a 3x3FT piece of tarpaulin i lay on the ground to change in/out of the suit or clothes, medical kit and various other things.

 

[Johnoly]

Hot Soup !!
And I bring enough to share with everyone.

 

[CWK]

A few empty tupperware boxes, which serve as crash barriers to defeat baggage handlers best attempts at damaging my gear.

 

[Norrm]

Plastic sports bottle. Although it's not always in the dive bag, oftentimes I carry it with me to and from the dives.

For so many reasons

- Environmentally friendly as compared to the single use plastic bottles and cups they provide on the boat
- Easier to use than the pointy bottom cups provided by some dive boats
- Easier to stay hydrated before and after the dives
- Less tempting to choose other drinks which aren't going to be all that healthy

I attach a clip to the bottle so I can attach it somewhere on the boat to prevent it from rolling around, typically on a tank holder bungee or the bungee that sometimes goes around the camera table.

 

[Divectionist]

Plastic sports bottle.

Consider a proper stainless steel vacuum insulated bottle, like a Yeti 18 Oz, keeps cool stuff cool and hot stuff hot, is indestructible and not plastic.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

In a drybag:
Gorilla tape
O-rings
Keffiyeh
Zip ties
Silicone lube
Small multi-tool
Ziplock baggies
Roll-up water bottle
Extra DSMB line on a bolt snap
Bandanas
Log book
Little ikea pencils
Mask defogger
Nivea lip balm
Boonie hat