Scuba diving safely means being prepared for the things you hope don’t happen. Here’s some dive gear you’ll be glad to have if things get complicated or you find yourself in over your head. Check out our Editor's Picks for scuba diving safety gear below. For more gear reviews visit the gear section of our website.
Courtesy GarminCommunicate with and track submerged divers.
Courtesy Garmin
Garmin Descent S1 Buoy
MSRP $2,499.99
Contact garmin.com
This buoy builds upon Garmin’s incredible SubWave sonar communication system to bridge the gap between surface and underwater contact. By connecting to the buoy using a Wi-Fi connection and the Garmin Dive app, topside users can monitor networked divers’ details (tank pressure, depth, etc.) and communicate with divers via preset messages. That’s not all; the buoy is equipped with three transducers that triangulate divers’ positions, giving topside tenders accurate real-time GPS location data for divers underwater.
This information can also be used by the divers to navigate back to the buoy, should they get lost. The S1 buoy can provide up to 100-meter (328-foot) line-of-sight transmission range and runs for 15 hours on a single charge. It weighs 2 pounds and measures 8 by 5.3 inches.
XS Scuba Quick-Launch Marker Buoy
MSRP $109.95
Contact xsscuba.com
Convenient and compact, the Quick-Launch Marker Buoy includes everything needed to deploy a surface marker buoy, including a pre-attached 100-foot line spool that greatly simplifies deployment. The spool is stored in a built-in pocket secured with a pinch-to-release buckle and a hook-and-loop fastener. It is attached to a D-ring inside the pocket. The buoy measures 6 feet tall, with a 12-inch circumference. It features reflective tape on both sides and is available in pink, orange and yellow, and in a two-tone version with one orange side and one yellow side. It has an open bottom with anti-spill baffle and an over-pressure relief valve with a pull cord. The inflator can be used orally or with a standard low-pressure quick-disconnect hose.
Tektite Strobe 3500
MSRP Starts at $89.95
Contact tek-tite.com
This durable, high-powered strobe is depth-rated to 500 feet. Its high-intensity, dual-LED design outputs an omnidirectional 1,000-lumen flash that can be used to mark lines or signal for rescue. Flashing at 120 times per minute, the strobe runs over 100 hours on three C-cell alkaline batteries in strobe mode. It features a simple twist-on/twist-off operation for quick, easy activation even while wearing gloves. It can be programmed with multiple functions including strobe, steady illumination and SOS flash. Several combinations of colors are available for the ABS plastic body and Lexan polycarbonate lens. An infrared LED, which can be picked up by night vision equipment, is included.
Related Reading: 23 Underwater Cameras, Lights and Accessories for Divers
Dive Emergency Whistle by Resqme Inc.
MSRP $12
Contact dan.org/store
This emergency whistle projects a piercing 120-decibel staccato sound that can be heard over wind, waves and boat engines to reliably attract the attention of boat crew or rescuers in any condition. Its three-chamber multidirectional design allows it to be heard in all directions. It can easily be attached to a BC with the included metal snap hook and is made of durable, UV-resistant ABS plastic, making it suitable to carry on every dive. The whistle features a hands-free mouth grip with an anti-choking design. Whistles for Life is made by Resqme, Inc., the official whistle of the National Association of Search & Rescue and the National Safe Boating Council.
Dive 1st Aid Instructor Kit
MSRP $390.35 (soft case), $462.87 (hard case)
Contact dive1staid.com
The Dive 1st Aid Instructor Kit is purpose-built for dive professionals who want to lead with confidence and care for their students and crew. This comprehensive first-aid kit contains all the essentials to handle cuts, scrapes and serious injuries, plus dive-related issues such as marine stings and motion sickness. It is equipped with professional-grade tools like trauma shears, tweezer forceps and tourniquet, and it contains a wide variety of bandages, medication and skin-prep products. This kit brings together all the essential medical supplies needed to manage common dive-related injuries and emergencies while teaching in real-world environments. ents. It’s an ideal solution for instructors who want to integrate practical safety training directly into their courses while being better prepared to respond when it matters most. The kit is available in a padded soft case with a shoulder strap or a waterproof hard case.
Dive Rite Ceramic Line Cutter
MSRP $24.95
Contact diverite.com
This line cutter provides a simple, reliable, easy-to-use solution for cutting through underwater entanglements. The cutter’s user-replaceable ZrO2 ceramic blade effortlessly slices through just about anything and is impervious to rust, meaning it won’t corrode no matter how long it’s been exposed to salt water. Because the blade is recessed, this tool can be slipped under tightly wrapped line for easy, fast cutting without putting fingers or flesh in harm’s way. The fiberglass-reinforced body is durable and lightweight and has an integrated webbing handle for extra grip. The included hook-and-loop sheath can be mounted horizontally or vertically on webbing up to 2 inches wide, allowing divers to place it wherever they feel it can be easily accessed.
Divealert Plus V.2
MSRP From $89.95
Contact divealert.com
This small, lightweight pneumatic signaling device is powered by a small amount of gas from the diver’s scuba tank to create an audible signal. Outfitted with quick-disconnect hose couplings, this device integrates seamlessly between the diver’s low-pressure hose and BC power inflator. It requires no modifications and doesn’t impact the normal operation of the equipment. Simply squeeze the body at the surface to produce a piercingly loud noise that can be heard up to a mile away. Activating it underwater creates a buzzing sound that can be used to quickly attract a dive buddy’s attention. It includes a switch lock to prevent accidental activation. Three versions are available to ensure compatibility with a wide range of power inflator models.
Nautilus Lifeline Marine Rescue GPS NextGen
MSRP $249
Contact divealert.com
This compact personal locator beacon transmits the user’s GPS location and a man-overboard distress message to all AIS-equipped vessels up to 34 miles away. The functionality is available worldwide, without a subscription or registration. By loading a boat’s MMSI using a built-in optical sensor, users can also enable the device to send a direct DSC message to their own vessel. The compact, positively buoyant device is easy to carry on a dive and is waterproof to 425 feet with the lid closed. Improved GPS accuracy offers precision within less than 1 meter, and an improved transmission range ensures a 5.5-mile range when transmitting at the water’s surface. Powered by two CR123 batteries (not included), the device offers 100 hours of transmission time.
Related Reading: Best New Dive Computers Reviewed
Akona SMB With Lights and Aluminum Finger Spool
MSRP $167 (SMB), $87 (15-meter spool)
Contact akona.com
This high-viz orange surface marker buoy measures 6 feet tall with a 6-inch diameter, making it easy to spot during the day. A replaceable LED light strip runs along the perimeter of the tube, ensuring it can be seen clearly in low light, making it especially useful for night diving and other low-visibility conditions. The SMB is made of durable 210D TPU fabric for long-term durability. It is orally inflated via a mouthpiece and includes a convenient easy-to-attach snap clip. The LED strip is powered by two AAA batteries (not included). Add a lightweight aluminum finger spool, available with four different lengths of high-visibility orange line, for easy underwater deployment.
Spare Air 300 and 600
MSRP $299 (300), $389 (600)
Contact spareair.com
Spare Air offers a compact, travel-compliant backup air source that is easy to carry on every dive, just in case. It is available in two different sizes, both of which can be unobtrusively attached to a diver’s kit in a variety of ways using the included holster. The 300 model provides 3 cubic feet of breathing gas—about 57 breaths at the surface—and is 13.4 inches long and 2.25 inches in diameter. The 600 offers double the gas supply and is the same length with a 3.25-inch diameter. The quick-release holster and integrat-ed on-demand regulator offers instant gas delivery for lightning-fast deployment. The system can be utilized for self-rescue but can also be handed off to another diver in need. The system easily disassembles for travel and can be filled on location from any scuba tank using the included fill adapter. Nitrox models are available.
Sunshine Safety Marine First-Aid Kit
MSRP $315 (Captain’s), $180 (Deckhand’s)
Contact sunshinesafetyfa.com
Available in two different sizes, this kit is equipped to respond to many maritime medical situations, from motion sickness to life-threatening accidents. The smaller Deckhand kit includes an assortment of medication, bandages and gauze for minor injuries and a SOFT-T tourniquet and Hyfin chest seals to treat traumatic injuries. The larger Captain kit adds additional quantity and variety of first-aid supplies, along with three marine flares and a signal whistle. Both kits are contained in watertight IP67-rated hard cases for protection from the elements. The Deckhand measures 9 by 6.9 by 2 inches and weighs 1.1 pounds. Captain’s kit is 10.1 by 9.5 by 4.5 inches and weighs 4.4 pounds.
StingMaster Analgesic Cream
MSRP $23.95
Contact stingmaster.com
This topical over-the-counter analgesic cream was specifically developed to relieve the pain caused by lionfish stings. It includes lidocaine as its active ingredient, which works in combination with natural plant extracts—including rhubarb—that prevent toxins from activating nerves to provide rapid pain relief and reduce inflammation. In addition to treating lionfish stings, the cream relieves pain caused from jellyfish, fire coral and sea lice. It also soothes bites and stings from terrestrial insects like bees and ants. The 1-ounce container easily slips into a dive bag or firstaid kit. StingMaster is manufactured in the United States and is registered by the Food and Drug Administration.
Related Reading: Diver's Paradise Hosts Inaugural Lionfish Derby in Miami
DAN Extended Care Plus With First Aid
MSRP $781
Contact shop.dan.org
This kit prepares divers with proper training to respond to a variety of life-threatening injuries and improve response to further medical treatment. It has everything needed to safely administer emergency oxygen and perform CPR, including an oxygen cylinder, regulator, masks and an AED. The green M22 Jumbo D cylinder is certified for use in the United States. It has a volume of 836 liters/22.85 cubic feet—enough capacity to provide 39 minutes of oxygen at a 15 liter-per-minute flow rate. The kit also has a tourniquet and first-aid kit. Everything is contained within a rolling hard-shell case for watertight protection and easy portability. It measures 22 by 14 by 9 inches and weighs a total of 27 pounds.
Scubastik Vindicator Tank Valve Safety Handle
MSRP $19.99, $9.99 (valve replacement tool)
Contact vindicatorhandle.com
Simple yet effective, this color-coded handle visually indicates whether a diver’s gas is on or off. It operates like a normal tank valve but has the added benefit of brightly colored components that automatically shift as the valve is turned. Red means the valve is off and not ready to dive, while green indicates that gas is flowing. This allows divers to confirm tank operation at a glance, providing an additional margin of safety during predive checks and throughout the dive. As an added benefit, the handle’s interior ABS plastic components cradle the tank valve stem, protecting the fragile, critical component in the event of a fall or heavy impact. Installation takes only a minute or two to complete, and several models are available to ensure compatibility with a wide range of valve brands.
Practice Makes Perfect
The Most Important Piece of Safety Gear Is You
Maintaining safe diving practices and keeping your skills sharp are critical for avoiding and responding to accidents. Try squeezing in a short practice session at the beginning or end of a normal “fun” dive. If you need a more formal tune-up, consider brushing up on the basics with the PADI Re-Activate course. Taking additional courses like PADI Rescue Diver will provide further training geared toward rescuing yourself and other divers.
PADI Club members receive special discounts on refresher courses and advanced dive training.
