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Essential Scuba Diving Safety Equipment

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Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) Use

The early days of underwater work and exploration were truly a voyage into the unknown.  Through experience, many found out the hard way the range of danger possible.  With experience and research, the pioneers and current leaders have brought the activity to a level where most recreational scuba divers have a high degree of confidence that it is safe.  I would like to caution that we should not let ourselves be lured into complacency.  There will be opportunities that arise that can put you in danger if you are not prepared.

It is with that in mind I have brought a core group of equipment accessories together in this brief review.  When used properly many emergencies can be prevented and when one does arise you will be better equipped to deal with it.

The gear reviewed represents some of the best options.  You need to look at the type of diving you plan and put together the package that is most suitable.

Essential Scuba Diving Safety Equipment

DiveSmart 5 ft Scuba Diving Open Bottom Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) Kit 

Especially useful in rough seas or heavy currents, a surface marker buoy is an easily visible notification of your position even from great distances.  If deployed on the safety stop you can help ensure that your boat will be nearby for pick-up when you surface.

This great package comes with all the components and features you need for effective usage.

  • Heavy-duty 400 Denier polyurethane coated nylon
  • 5 x 45 inches
  • Orange, purple or yellow with reflective band
  • D-ring for attaching a light
  • ABS finger spool with 100 feet of #24 braided nylon line
  • Inflate with the regulator or orally
  • Overpressure relief valve
  • Whistle
  • View More By DiveSmart

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For reviews of a range of SMBs, please check out this article:

Dive Alert New Ideation Plus Version 2 Signaling Device 

Some noisemakers work only on the surface and some only underwater.  This one does both with great effectiveness enabling others to be well aware that you are signaling.

  • Chrome-plated brass couplings attach to all standard power inflators
  • Uses a small amount of your tank’s air to make a piercing sound on the surface or underwater that can be heard a mile away
  • Lightweight at 6.4 ounces
  • Easy installation with quick connection/disconnection
  • View More By Dive Alert

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For reviews of a range of underwater signal devices, please check this article:

Scuba Choice Scuba Diving Safety Tank Rattle Stick Signal

Manual noisemakers are another simple and effective way to gain attention underwater.  This small easy to use model creates a relatively loud noise through rattling or as a tank banger.

  • Shake to get fellow diver’s attention
  • Loud and easy to identify rattling sound
  • A cover is provided in green or orange to prevent rattling and noise when not in use
  • Built-in attachment clip
  • 4-3/4 inch length
  • Reasonably priced
  • View More By Scuba Choice

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For reviews of a range of underwater signal devices, please check this article:

Nautilus LifeLine Marine GPS with Neoprene Pouch and Coil Lanyard

This is a great option for times when the distance to be covered is too far for the other sight and sound methods to be effective.  Once activated your position is known even if you are incapacitated to distances of 34 miles.

  • Exclusive package includes the Nautilus Lifeline Marine GPS, neoprene pouch, and coil lanyard
  • Reduced to less than half the size of the original model
  • Easy to use: undo latch, open, turn on, remove the red distress cap, and press the red button
  • The GPS position is accurate to 1.5 meters
  • Distress message is broadcast to all AIS equipped ships within 34 miles along with a distress message broadcast to your own boat
  • Waterproof in all sea conditions and easy to maintain
  • 2.9 x 3.8 x 1.5 inches, 10.4 ounces
  • View More By Nautilus Lifeline

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Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computer

This model does a great job of keeping track of bottom time and providing multi-level no-decompression limits in a number of modes.  It is easy to use for a relative beginner but has enough features for more advanced diving, as well.

  • Air, nitrox, free dive, and gauge modes
  • No user changeable battery
  • 140 hours of memory
  • Easy four-button navigation, gauge mode, altitude and personal conservatism adjustments, integrated apnea timer, bright LCD display
  • Can be used on the wrist or in a modular console, large easy to read display, great performance considering the relatively low price
  • View More By Sunnto

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For reviews of a range of dive computers, please check out these articles:

Princeton Tec Aqua Strobe LED

This small, lightweight, handy strobe delivers a powerful light signal visible at great distances over 12 hours both underwater and at the surface in limited light to dark environments.

  • Reliable, easy-twist operation to turn it on
  • Cone is buoyant to keep the light pointed up
  • Attachable to your tank, BCD, or anchor line
  • 100 lumens of power
  • 12 hours of burn time
  • Alkaline battery, Velcro strap, and lanyard are included
  • Available in black, neon yellow, and rocket red
  • 5 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches, 8 ounces
  • View More By Princeton Tec

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Sherwood Genesis Compass and Accessories

This compass has a nice package of accessories to make it an easy to use tool to stay oriented and travel in the desired direction thereby enhancing safety.

  • Retractable, built-in mount, professional quality
  • Highly durable, easily attachable with two different mounting clips
  • Easy to read with top and side reading, excellent tilt range, ratchet bezel, liquid-filled, and a luminescent dial
  • Comes with a rubber boot
  • A little expensive
  • View More By Sherwood

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For a review on a range of compasses, please check this article:

Cressi Borg Dive Knife

This durable relatively small knife has smooth and serrated edges and a wire cutter to help with a variety of entanglement possibilities.  There is easy access with the one-hand release button and the hammer on the handle can serve as an additional tool or tank banger.

  • 5.5 inch Japanese 304 stainless steel rust-resistant blade with 5-inch non-slip rubber handle
  • Small technopolymer thumb tab and grip
  • Smooth edge and serrated edge with wire cutter
  • Blunt and sharp tip options
  • Sheath with a locking mechanism with one-hand release button and straps
  • Lanyard hole
  • Hammer on handle bottom
  • View More By Cressi

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For a review of a range of great dive knives, please check this article:

Light and Motion GoBe 800 Spot FC

This fast charging, compact, lightweight, handheld, 12-degree spotlight, works well above or below the surface to enhance vision or serve as a signal.  The output is adjustable to 5 levels including SOS.

  • 12-degree spot beam
  • 800-lumen output
  • The design allows light heads to be interchanged
  • Waterproof to 120 meters
  • Exclusive FC (Fast Charge) technology with a 3-hour charge time
  • 800-lumen maximum output
  • Lumens:  (12 degrees) high – 800, med – 400, low – 200, camp – 75, SOS – 100
  • Run time:  high – 1.5 hours,  med – 3 hours,  low – 12 hours, camp – 24 hours, SOS – 36 hours
  • 4.9 x 1.9 x 1.9 inches, 178 grams
  • GoBe charge cable and lanyard included
  • View More By Light and Motion

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For reviews of a range of scuba diving flashlights, please check this article:

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