Essential Dive Gear: The Lifesaving Importance of Comprehensive Equipment
Jim Dell'Ara Jul 10, 2024
We recently became aware that on May 21, 2024, husband-and-wife divers Eric and Nicole DeHaven experienced a harrowing event that underscored the importance of having the right dive gear. While diving off the coast of a small Belize island, Nicole had a heart attack. Their story highlights the critical role of a well-equipped dive kit, including not just basic equipment but also advanced tools like dive knives and cutting tools, surface marker buoys, dive lights, oxygen kits, and communication devices. Read Eric and Nicole’s story HERE.
Why Being Prepared is Essential
Every diver should be prepared for tricky situations and worst case scenarios. Part of being a competent diver is to dive responsibly and that means doing your homework before you get to any dive site. Understanding your limitations, abilities, and comfort levels are the first step in avoiding situations that can at best be dangerous and at worst could turn deadly. Before going to any new dive site make sure you prepare by understanding the weather, ocean patterns, possible currents, and sea life you may encounter.
If the site that you’re diving is a first time dive for you, try to ensure you have enough information from prepared divers prior to entering the water, remember that entries are optional, but exits are mandatory.
Lastly, make sure all of your equipment is being maintained and stored in the way that the manufacturer recommends. Maintaining clean and well serviced equipment is another way to ensure that adverse events happen underwater and can make the sport of diving much more enjoyable.
Now, onto the kinds of equipment we recommend most divers carry when they’re planning a dive trip.
Dive Knives and Cutting Tools
A reliable dive knife or cutting tool is a must-have for any diver. These tools are essential for freeing oneself from entanglements with fishing lines, seaweed, or other underwater debris. They can also be used for prying, digging, and cutting in various underwater scenarios. Dive knives come in different shapes and sizes, with features such as serrated edges, blunt tips, and sheaths that can be attached to dive gear for easy access. We recommend a cutting tool instead of a knife to reduce the potential for self harm. Most of the cutting scenarios a diver may encounter will likely be the result of being tangled with an object and being able to quickly deploy a tool to remove oneself from the obstruction is key.
Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)
Surface marker buoys are critical for ensuring diver visibility and safety. These inflatable devices are deployed at the surface to mark a diver's position, making it easier for boats and other divers to locate them. SMBs are particularly useful in areas with heavy boat traffic or low visibility, helping to prevent accidents and ensuring a safe ascent and descent.
Dive Lights
Dive lights are essential for navigating dark or murky waters. They enhance visibility, allowing divers to explore underwater environments safely and effectively. High-quality dive lights are waterproof, durable, and come with various brightness settings to suit different diving conditions. They are indispensable for night dives, cave dives, and low-visibility situations.
Oxygen Kits
Oxygen kits are a vital part of any dive emergency response plan. In the event of an accident or medical emergency, such as Nicole's heart attack, having immediate access to oxygen can be life-saving. These kits typically include a portable oxygen cylinder, mask, and regulator, providing essential first aid until professional medical help arrives.
Communication Devices
The DeHavens' experience highlights the importance of having a reliable communication device. Their Garmin inReach® satellite communication device, enclosed in a dive case, played a crucial role in coordinating Nicole's rescue. These devices allow divers to send messages and SOS signals from remote locations, ensuring that help can be summoned even when traditional communication methods are unavailable.
The Incident
Nicole DeHaven was 30 feet deep when she first felt a pinching sensation in her chest. As she descended further, the discomfort grew, and she began to experience tingling in her right arm and hand. Recognizing something was wrong, she ascended to the surface and informed the dive master. Despite initial assumptions that she might be suffering from anxiety or seasickness, her condition deteriorated rapidly.
With no emergency communication equipment on the boat, Eric DeHaven's inReach Mini device became their lifeline. Eric used the device to communicate with the dive shop and Garmin Response℠ global emergency response coordination center. Despite worsening weather and rough seas, the timely SOS signal enabled the coordination of a rapid response, ultimately saving Nicole's life.
A Reminder to Be Prepared
The DeHavens' story is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of diving and the critical importance of being prepared with the right equipment. Dive knives, SMBs, dive lights, oxygen kits, and communication devices are not just optional accessories but essential components of a comprehensive dive kit. These tools can make the difference between a safe, enjoyable dive and a potentially life-threatening situation. Divers, dive professionals, and dive shops should take note and ensure that their gear includes these vital items, promoting safety and preparedness in every dive adventure.
