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Dive light or underwater flash light or dive torch or tungsten light, all are different names for the same object. Used to illuminate the path of an underwater diver, one needs to understand the types and the fundamental reason of using a dive light so as to choose the right kind!

Choosing dive lights

It is a common misconception that a dive light is required only during night diving. The idea of using a light is simply to light up dark nooks and corners. The light from the surface is not always sufficient to reach deep down under the water where divers venture and therefore the need for the correct kind of dive light.

Divers choose their scuba dive light according to the type of diving they do. Therefore it is also necessary to have a fair idea about the various types of diving. On a broad level there are three kinds of diving:

1. Open water diving: Open water diving refers to diving where the water surface is in immediate contact with earth’s atmosphere and in case of emergency the diver can easily ascend vertically to breathe air.
In case of open water diving where divers have to frequently inspect under ledges and crevices, it is best to use a small dive light that will fit into one of the suit pockets, like the Kinetic mini pocket light. Alternatively if you want more power you can choose the High Intensity Discharge light or HID.

2. Night diving: Seen as recreational diving, night diving is done at the darkest hour of the night. With many nocturnal sea creatures venturing out at this time it provides a challenge to the diver to swim through them.
For night diving you need a bigger and more powerful underwater dive light can will stay throughout the duration of the dive.

3. Overhead environment diving: This refers to the condition when there is no immediate overhead atmosphere available for the diver and unlike in open water diving the diver cannot escape upwards easily in case of emergency. This kind of diving refers to cave divers, wreck divers and ice divers.

Divers in this scenario need a dive light that is reliable and powerful enough to support the entire duration of the dive. Quality and reputation of serviceability matter in this case.

With a wide range of choices available, choosing the right dive light can get a bit challenging. It is therefore, always a good idea to do a through research and analyze your requirements before heading to a shop. Depending on your budget and availability of product you can finalize on the dive light that is right for you.

Dive knives form an essential part of a diver’s diving uniform and used by diver’s during free diving or any other underwater diving expedition.

Using scuba dive knives

Compact and light weight, Dive knives are used as a general safety tool. Divers use these knives for various purposes, such as:

• Cutting through entanglements
• Dispatching speared fish to avoid attracting sharks
• Defend themselves from dangerous sea animals
• Some divers also use the sheen from the blade of dive knives to attract schools of fish

Dive knives are for your own safety and need to be handled carefully to avoid accidents. One has to understand that it is tool and not the weapon. This said it is important to choose your diving knife wisely keeping in mind possible scenarios:

• It is a good idea to choose a diving knife with a sharp and serrated edge so that it can be used both for cutting and sawing
• A lot of novice divers are instructed to use folding dive knives. It is easy to understand why
• Choose a knife with a flat head. This not only acts a tool for fixing gauges but minimizes accidental nicks and cuts
• By a choosing dive knives with hard disk pommels you can use the same as a hammer
• It is advised to strap your diving knife to the inside of your thigh or lower leg.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures the longevity of dive knives.  Sharpen the knives from time to time, plain edge with a file and the serrated one with jigs. You can also seek professional help for the servicing of your knives. To keep rusting at bay clean and scrub your knife after every dive with fresh water to remove any salt deposits.

There are a number of dive knives available in the market with a variety of finish, steel, titanium, black and more. Understand the purpose of your diving routine and choose your knife accordingly. Please note that marine life is precious and your knife is a tool, therefore do not destroy or harm any kind of water life for fun.