Carabiners no more

[oldflounder]

Up until this past weekend I have been using various size carabiners for hanging accessories. I love them. They are cheap, light, fast attaching, and pretty much salt water corrosion proof. I use a big one for attaching my mask/fins on entry/exit, I use them to sling my 13 pony, shears, etc., etc. That came to a screaching halt this weekend. I see now why they call them death clips and suicide clips. I was moving along in 15' of water when I felt a tug on my right side. I felt around and found my secured-to-the-bottom dive flag line was now attached to me via the clip in a hard to reach spot. This was a big eye-opener! Many what-ifs went through my mind. Just minutes before I had been trying in vain to cut a length of anchor rope off a lost anchor. From now on - no more carabiners!

 

[Peter_C]

You can mix and match, and they will do pretty much whatever you want if you call them.
Diving Snaps

Hey while you are open minded and realizing there is a reason some things shouldn't be done, it might be a good time to read thru GUE's guide, and find a copy and read this book. Amazon.com: Doing it Right: The Fundamentals of Better Diving (9780971326705): Jarrod Jablonski: Books

Equipment Configuration | Global Underwater Explorers

A super simple cut off steak knife works wonders for whacking thru anchor line.

 

[HenrikBP]

Yikes - glad nothing bad happened. Good decision on the 'biners.

 

[Akimbo]

This is a pretty good thread on snaps of all kinds:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ad...12-actual-deaths-involving-suicide-clips.html

 

[jpbutler]

You can mix and match, and they will do pretty much whatever you want if you call them.
Diving Snaps

Hey while you are open minded and realizing there is a reason some things shouldn't be done, it might be a good time to read thru GUE's guide, and find a copy and read this book. Amazon.com: Doing it Right: The Fundamentals of Better Diving (9780971326705): Jarrod Jablonski: Books

Equipment Configuration | Global Underwater Explorers

A super simple cut off steak knife works wonders for whacking thru anchor line.

they suck at stabbing flounder, though.

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2

 

[smorneau]

J
Are you using a real climbing carabiner or one those SS ones found at hardware store and marinas? If usine a climbing carabiner and you like them, try using one the has a locking gate. I switched to boltsnaps and never looked back. No more danglies, and much cleaner config!

 

[diversteve]

I have a couple similar to this locking one made by Petzl - all aluminum:


Other options: Locking Carabiners at REI - Free shipping on orders of $50 or more

 

[Akimbo]

The trouble with Aluminum locking Carabiners is the threads seize up so easily in salt water. You may as well use a stainless steel shackle since neither opens all that easily underwater.

 

[diversteve]

It hasn't since 2004. Same one. But it's on my video housing so gets opened a couple times per week.

 

[Peter_C]

I use a locking carabiner underwater, and it has had to be replaced due to corrosion, but thanks to REI that was a non issue. I routinely lube it with WD40 also. Although if mine fails the only thing that is going to happen is the anchor stays attached to the bridle *shrugs*