DIVERS KNIFE is it still nescesary?

[MacRS4]

perhaps it's because >half 'follow the lead' and probably bank on their guides to get 'em out of trouble.

I think you have it there actually - it does seem that most of the divers who expect to be guided seem to have lesser independance or rather self-reliance for their own safety.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Oh man I can't imagine not carrying a knife. I've never been tangled in stuff, but it comes in handy on every dive. I've used it to remove old fishing line from a piece of coral, to pick up a shell I couldn't get my fingers under, and many other things.

I currently only carry one but I plan on getting a Z knife as a backup.

 

[outlawaggie]

I use emt shears but they get really rusty. I found a coating of silicon helps get rid of rust but it's really messy. Any neater ways of keeping the shears rust free?

go to a good fishing tackle store. they sell EMT shears that are stainless.

 

[O2Addict]

I carry a 3" knife on my BC, it is a blunt tip, with line cutter. It is useful for alsorts of things, most importantly is to cut monofilament.

Also it is the best protection against sharks that I know. All you need to do is to cut your buddy, and swim in the other direction. It is a lot easier to do that effectively with a serated knife blade than EMT shears.

 

[Wristshot]

I like the "airbag" analogy. Just because you have never used it yet doesn't mean you don't want one for when you need it.

I carry the coolest knife in the world, the Aeris/Oceanic knife locked into the backside of the Aeris console. (I just have to remember to remove the knife for flying - I goofed once!)

I also carry Trauma Shears. They may rust, but I am not worried because I bought a half dozen at $2.00 each. No, not a typo, two dollars. Check out

http://www.emergencytees.com/

and search for shears.



Wristshot

 

[Rick Murchison]

they can just drill themselves a neat little hole and stick their snorkel up. No problems, right?

Only if it's pink.
Rick

 

[Rick Murchison]

Around here there is abundant monofilament, and steel (piano wire) leader to snag your gear. Shears of some sort work best for that, so if you're only going to carry a single cutting device that's what I recommend. (A knife will not cut steel leader worth a flip).
Personally I usually carry a small blunt tip knife (LDS) and some Gerber stainless fishing shears (Walmart). When spearfishing I carry the pig-sticker on the leg.
Rick

 

[DI_Guy]

I understand that in the Cayman Islands you are not allowed to dive with a knife, (shears are OK). It has something to do with the local dive sites being considered a protected marine environment.

BTW I have a RAMBO style knife ,,,, I should not have bought it. oh well