Why Do Divers Often Carry Titanium Dive Knives?

Recreational diving, in the form of either skin or scuba diving, has an element of inherent danger. Skin diving is swimming underwater without a portable air supply, typically with a mask, snorkel, and fins. Scuba diving is swimming underwater with scuba gear. SCUBA is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. As you might expect, the margin for error underwater is small. Whether scuba or skin diving, a diver must return to the surface in a limited amount of time because their oxygen supply is limited. For skin diving, this time period is only as long as a diver can hold their breath. In scuba diving, it is as long as the scuba tank air supply will last, which is typically less than an hour.

Because of the danger associated with diving, wise divers strongly adhere to established safety practices. This is especially true for scuba divers who dive much deeper than skin divers and therefore face greater dangers. The concept of redundancy, or having a backup option, is the foundation of many scuba safety practices. For example, scuba divers, unless specially trained and equipped, should never dive alone. They should always dive with a partner who can assist them - for example by sharing an air supply - in the case of an unexpected emergency. To dive safely, a diver's equipment must also be dependable. Strong safety practices also include guidance around where and when it is safe to dive, and how to avoid underwater dangers that could injure or trap a diver underwater.

There are many dangers that can trap a diver underwater. Skin divers in San Diego, California in the United States like to dive in Kelp forests just off the coast. While diving in this environment is beautiful, its can also be dangerous because becoming entangled in Kelp is not uncommon. Scuba divers without special training and equipment are not permitted to dive in places like caves and wrecks where entrapment is more likely. All divers face the risk, however unlikely, of being trapped by random debris like fishing nets or discarded ropes that water currents move around the ocean. In order to help prevent being trapped in such circumstances, it is wise for all scuba divers and for skin divers in dangerous areas to carry a dive knife or emergency cutting tool.

In the spirit of diving with dependable safety equipment, many instructors recommend carrying a dive knife with a blade material that won't corrode in salt water. Corrosion and rust are dangerous because they dull the cutting surface of a diving knife. Many people don't realize that metals which are rust resistant above water - like most stainless steels - are quite susceptible to corrosion in salt water. Titanium - a strong, light metal that is frequently used in the aerospace industry - is an exception. It is inert in sea water and will not corrode or rust. As a result, titanium dive knives can be expected to hold a sharp edge until they are used in an emergency situation. This great safety trait is why titanium dive knives are carried by many divers.