Diving is such a wonderful experience, but supplementing your day with the right diving accessories essentials can make you safer, more comfortable, and more thrilled underwater. Whether you're a novice or veteran diver, you'll want these essentials by your side on every dive.
This blog shows the most critical diving gear that you will use on every dive. From safety gear such as a dive knife and signal buoy to recreational accessories such as an underwater camera, these are items that will make your dives better and get you ready for anything.
A dive knife is also one of the most critical safety diving accessories essentials. You may not need to utilize it on every dive, but you will be saved in case of an emergency. A quality dive knife assists you in cutting fishing lines, ropes, or sea vegetation if you become entangled. It is also handy for prying or digging when needed.
When selecting a dive knife, select one that has a corrosion-resistant blade (stainless steel or titanium) and a dependable sheath that straps onto your leg or BCD. A blunt tip is best for diving because it lessens the risk of unintended punctures. Some feature line-cutting notches, making them even more functional.
Pro Tip: Make your dive knife accessible but secure. Divers install it inside their calf so it is accessible and does not catch anything.
Another absolute must is a dive torch, particularly for muddy water, night dives, and cave dives. Even during day dives, having a dive torch will allow you to see the beautiful colors cut out underwater.
In selecting a dive light, consider luminosity (measured in lumens), battery life, and ruggedness. A rechargeable LED light producing at least 1000 lumens is well-suited to most divers. Some lights offer adjustable beams that can provide either wide or directed lighting. Carry a backup light in the event your primary light fails.
Did You Know? Most sea creatures are nocturnal, which means that nighttime diving with a dive torch is something you will never forget.
An underwater camera is ideal for those who desire to record their underwater experience. From navigating coral reefs, wrecks, to marine creatures, an underwater camera allows you to snap awe-inspiring pictures and videos.
Underwater cameras may range from small action cams such as GoPros (with waterproofing cases) to professional DSLRs in purpose-made underwater enclosures. For a beginner, the minimum would be a plain point-and-shoot with water-proof housing. For quality images, you may include extras such as red filters (for color correction degradation with depth) or a light tray.
Photography Tip: Stand close to your subject - water degrades clarity, so the closer you are to what you are taking a picture of, the clearer the image.
A signal buoy, or surface marker buoy (SMB) or safety sausage, is a valuable diving accessory for safety and visibility. When surfacing, especially in open water or boat traffic areas, a signal buoy enhances your visibility to boats and other divers.
There are two types:
The ideal option is a highly visible (orange or yellow) reflective strip signal buoy. Some include whistles or LED lights for increased visibility in poor light.
Safety Tip: Practice deploying your signal buoy in training situations prior to when you might need to in an emergency.
Not so much an accessory, a dive computer is one of the most critical diving accessories essentials needed for safe diving. It monitors your depth, dive time, and no-decompression limits so you don't get yourself into hazardous situations such as decompression sickness.
Today's computers have such amenities as air integration (for tracking tank pressure), Bluetooth to interface with the logbook, and multiple gas mixtures for technical divers. Even a low-cost model is more convenient than dive tables alone.
Tech Tip: Some allow you to pre-plan dives by entering your gas mix and target profile.
A heavy-duty mesh gear bag is necessary for carrying and rinsing your diving essentials and accessories. Unlike normal bags, mesh will drain water and sand, eliminating mold and odors.
Choose a bag with reinforced handles, multiple compartments, and corrosion-resistant zippers. Some divers use backpacks with mesh panels for easy portability.
Maintenance Tip: After every use, hang your mesh bag to dry thoroughly to eliminate mildew.
Although not necessarily required for deep dives, a snorkel is convenient for surface swimming after or before a dive. It saves tank air while waiting for the group or returning to the boat.
A folding or flex snorkel takes up less room in your pack. Some even have purge valves to quickly expel water.
Comfort Tip: Experiment with various snorkel mouthpieces and use one that will not be uncomfortable when swimming extended surface intervals.
Dive gloves provide protection to your hands from cuts, scrapes, and cold water. Dive gloves are best used in rocky terrain, wrecks, or cold dive sites.
Select:
The most common material is neoprene, but some divers wear Kevlar-reinforced gloves for increased durability.
Fit Tip: Your gloves should fit closely but not too tightly. Check your dexterity by trying to pick up small objects prior to purchase.
You will need a dry bag to store phones, wallets, and spare clothes in dry condition on the boat. Even if you don't dive, it will come in handy while going to the beach or on a kayak trip.
Choose a roll-top dry bag with a water-tight seal. Some have shoulder straps for convenient carrying.
Capacity Guide: A 10-20 liter bag is usually adequate for a day dive, while 30+ liters is better for a multi-day adventure.
A dive reel or spool aids in navigation, indicating entry/exit points or signaling with a buoy. Technical divers also employ them for wreck or cave penetration.
A simple finger spool will suffice for the average recreational diver, but a larger reel is more appropriate for advanced diving.
Line Tip: Utilize highly visible line to be more visible underwater, and inspect for abrasions before every dive.
No smartphone app can create lasting memories the way a personal dive log book does. Jot down key details like visibility, marine life observed, and how your gear is doing after each dive. Your comments become invaluable to track your progress and prepare for subsequent dives. After years, you will enjoy reading pages with personal underwater adventures.
Pro Tip: Always record your weights and trim point in your logbook – this allows you to dial in your buoyancy quicker on subsequent dives with the same equipment.
Every diver should carry a small marine first aid kit of seasickness tablets, antiseptic wipes, bandages, burn gel, and emergency phone numbers. Supply is not enough, however - you need to know how to use them. Get a diving first aid course so you know basic skills such as treating stings from the sea, CPR, and management of dive injuries.
Pro Tip: Carry a waterproof copy of your emergency contacts and DAN number in your first aid kit – when you're under stress, you won't have to remember.
Having safety essentials handy for your diving accessories makes you safe, more convenient, and dives that much more enjoyable. A good dive knife and dive flashlight to an underwater camera and signaling buoy, any underwater adventure is yours with the right tools at your fingertips.
On your next dive, inspect your gear and ensure that you have all these diving accessory essentials in your bag. Just as important as possessing the right tools is proper equipment maintenance and also constantly inspecting it.
This content was created by AI