Personal Save-A-Dive Kit

[Penguino]

As a new diver reading this forum, I can see the need for a "save-a-dive" kit for last minute repairs before a dive. My question is what should go into such a kit? Is it better to buy a pre-packaged one, or should I piece one together myself? Thanks.

[MSilvia]

There was a good thread on this very topic not long ago. Check it out here: What is in your Save-A-Dive Kit?

There's nothing wrong with asking, but there's often good information in the archives that folks may not bother to post again. I found it quickly with the site's search feature, for future reference.

You may get some good parts out of a store-bought save-a-dive, but I wouldn't expect it to be complete. I'd say you're better off putting a kit together yourself. I've been less than impressed with most of the packages I've seen.

[ReefHound]

Mine is a pile of stuff accumulated over time. Spare o-rings of a variety of sizes, especially for tank valves. Various small tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and allen sockets with fittings for my stages and stuff. Extra clips, tie wraps, tape, lube, etc. Spare mask strap. And more.

You could start by getting one of those kits and a multipurpose tool then adding things as you go.

[ReefHound]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

There was a good thread on this very topic not long ago. Check it out here: What is in your Save-A-Dive Kit?

I knew I had seen that thread somewhere.

[Zenagirl]

I started out with one of the prepackaged ones, but it quickly grew from there. Now I use an extra-reg bag for everything, including stuff specific to our own gear (like Mares straps, battery kits for computers, etc). While on our liveaboard last year, one of the other divers' Mares straps broke. I was able to keep him from having to borrow fins by loaning him one of our spare straps, so the kit isn't just to save our dives anymore.

[Penguino]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

There was a good thread on this very topic not long ago. Check it out here: What is in your Save-A-Dive Kit?

There's nothing wrong with asking, but there's often good information in the archives that folks may not bother to post again. I found it quickly with the site's search feature, for future reference.

You may get some good parts out of a store-bought save-a-dive, but I wouldn't expect it to be complete. I'd say you're better off putting a kit together yourself. I've been less than impressed with most of the packages I've seen.

Thanks. Didn't even think to check the archives.

[ReefHound]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

While on our liveaboard last year, one of the other divers' Mares straps broke. I was able to keep him from having to borrow fins by loaning him one of our spare straps, so the kit isn't just to save our dives anymore.

Sometimes saving your dive requires you to save your buddy's dive.

[DarinMartell]

Searching the archieves are good but when you have a question ask again too since new people reading the thread may have different ideas for us all.

I'm a newbe too but I have already tripled my save-a-dive kit from when I atarted. I started with a store bought one. Reading about other peoples and reading different books and mags, along with things that make sense to me I have greatly expanded on mine. I just changed it from the little tube it first came in to a plastic tackle box with adjustable compartments. While checking the mouthpiece on my rental reg before my very first dive I saw it was starting to tear. When I showed it to my instructor (they where his regs) he agreed we needed a new mouthpiece. Despite having hiw old UPS truck there full of equipment he did not have a spare mouthpiece with him. So my kit saved my very first dive!

[ScubaJW]

I rather to pack save a dive kit where I see that is probably useful. I think I overpacked it myself, but I rather to be prepared for anything.

[Penguino]

As for extra mask/fin straps, can these be purchased generically at a LDS or do they have to be ordered off of the manufacturer's website?