Prevent Scuba Equipment Dragging to Increase Safety and Enjoyment

A scuba diver should keep their scuba gear securely fastened to stop it dragging on the sea floor or getting caught on coral or other pieces of seascape.

Bruce IliffPosted on Jun 4, 2010
Scuba Gear Can Get Caught in Backward Roll - Bruce ILIFFA scuba diver’s gear should be kept securely fastened close to the body. Items that need to be accessed quickly, such as the alternate air supply should have a quick-release mechanism.

Scuba gauges should be positioned on the left hand side of the diver so they can be easily read. The scuba gauge set up, including tank pressure, dive computer and maybe a compass, should be set up so they are like a dashboard. A scuba diver should just need to make a short movement of the head to get an update of the technical parts of the dive. The diver shouldn’t be scrabbling around for the gauges if they are simply left hanging off the tank.

Impacts on Safety from Scuba Equipment Hanging off a Scuba Diver

Safety is the primary reason a scuba diver should take care in positioning their scuba gear so it doesn’t drag. The following are a few reasons why:

•When doing a backward roll off a dive boat, the scuba gauges could get caught;
•When scuba diving around wrecks, the dangling gauge, or buoyancy compensator hose could get snagged;
•The alternate air, or “octopus” regulator could get caught on a piece of coral;
•Any item of scuba diving equipment with a valve, such as the second regulator, or the buoyancy compensator valve could drag in the sand on the sea floor and get particles caught.
These are just some of the examples where dragging scuba equipment could lead to safety concerns. While in the majority of times a piece of equipment getting snagged may not be a significant problem, in some cases it could be life-threatening.

Imagine the dangling gauges being caught during a decompression scuba dive in the bowels of a wreck and for some reason the hose pulls out of the crimp joint at the first stage. A rare event, but the result could be catastrophic for the diver and his or her scuba buddy.

This scenario could be easily avoided by a few simple actions prior to the dive.

Impacts on the Environment from Scuba Gear Hanging off a Scuba Diver

The other obvious reason for keeping all scuba gear tucked in close to the diver is the impact on the environment.

The gauges or alternate “octopus” regulator dragging across a delicate gorgonian coral can do significant damage that can take years to recover.

Or getting the dragging item of scuba equipment caught in a leg of staghorn coral. A couple of pulls and it is free; as well as limbs of coral dropping away to die on the seafloor.

Good Scuba Diving Techniques

It is also good scuba diving technique to have equipment securely tucked away. It is easy to spot the regular and experienced scuba divers. Not only are they relaxed and look at ease underwater, they will also have their gear well positioned and secured.

A scuba diver should keep their equipment from dragging simply from the economics. Scuba diving equipment is expensive, and though generally robust, it can be easily damaged.

The scenario above with the gauge being ripped off in the bowels of a wreck could easily happen when doing the backward roll off the dive boat. This would be expensive!

It doesn’t take much to keep everything secure and in the right spot. There are many buckles and straps and velcro arrangements in the local scuba diving shop that will assist in keeping a diver’s scuba diving gear where it should be at all times.

This will go a long way to making a scuba dive safer, enjoyable and possibly even cheaper.