Must Have Accessories?

[scubasavvy]

Hi kids,

What do you think are your most used accessories? Anything from knives to retractors and beyond. I'm purchasing a bunch of stuff for this summer and I want to make sure I'm not missing anything...

[Splitlip]

Cutting tool(s) of some sort
Surface signaling device(s) visual and audible
small light (at minimum)
I would also recomend a DSMB with spool or reel

There are alternatives to retractors.

[chris in the socal]

I really use my 3 1/2 in' blade knife all the time. I also think for all the beach divers out there a good fin holder strap is really important. I would also have a light as well as a surface signaling device.

[terrillja]

mirror (DAN+ tag works well)
dye marker (if you are in the middle of nowhere, a dye slick can be seen from far away, a diver can't)-have yet to use this, hope I never will.
strobe
emt shears- use all the time
agree with others, the smb is key

[marchand]

I would have to say my light is my most used accessory; but I mostly dive in springs, so you probably wouldn't get as much use out of one. If your diving in the ocean the bigger the DSMB the better.

[EuphoriaII]

If you ocean/boat dive, a safety sausage/marker can save your life. May never need it, but it's priceless if you do.
Otherwise, a light. Even in daylight, it can be dark at depth on cloudy days or in lakes.
Third thing is a knife. All you need is a small 3" knife that mounts on your BC (or shears). If you have one of those huge 1foot long 'Sea Hunt' knives strapped to your leg, some will secretly laugh at you.

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by EuphoriaII

If you ocean/boat dive, a safety sausage/marker can save your life. May never need it, but it's priceless if you do.
Otherwise, a light. Even in daylight, it can be dark at depth on cloudy days or in lakes.
Third thing is a knife. All you need is a small 3" knife that mounts on your BC (or shears). If you have one of those huge 1foot long 'Sea Hunt' knives strapped to your leg, some will secretly laugh at you.

Well I wouldn't describe mine as "huge", but I have a reasonably large knife strapped on my leg. I have the little bc knives as well, but if you get stuck in 3/4" lobster pot rope, you need a serious knife.

[FishFood]

Surgical tube!!! It's the duct tape of the diving world.... Buy a roll of it, a handfull of brass clips, and some zip ties. You'll never want to buy another rectractor/plastic clip/fancy"thing-o-ma-bob" again.

[mentalmarine]

If you have shears or sea snipss, do you guys recommend carrying another knife as well?

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by mentalmarine

If you have shears or sea snipss, do you guys recommend carrying another knife as well?

I do. The snips are good with monofilament, but if you hit rope they are not going to help much.

Also, if you are going to buy a knife, buy a titanium knife. Zero maintenance pretty much other than an occasional sharpening, and no rusting.