Scuba Diving Kit: 11 Emergency Spares You Cannot Go Without
August 9, 2023
There is nothing worse than going for an exciting day of scuba diving and then realizing that you have forgotten something, or that a piece of your scuba diving kit is broken. If you are unprepared, these small mishaps can lead to a dry day on the boat, missing all the underwater fun!
To help you always be prepared, we have made a list of the most likely things that might break or get lost. You can use this to put together your very own emergency spares kit that will fit nicely in the bottom of your dive bag. Let us take a look at what essential kit to include.
Why is an emergency spares kit important?
Even the most experienced divers cannot plan for everything. Mask straps can snap, gloves can go missing, and lenses can fog up. To put your mind at ease and ensure you are ready for anything, an emergency scuba diving kit can become your best friend on the boat. An emergency kit is a collection of spare items that you are most likely to need on a day of scuba diving. Hopefully you will not have to dip into it too often, but it is good to know it is there if you need it.
So without further ado let us take a look at the main items that should be included in your emergency spares kit.
Top 11 items for your emergency scuba diving kit
1. Mask Strap
A spare mask strap is definitely an item that you should have available. Mask straps are prone to breaking and you simply cannot dive without a mask! This Mask Strap from Mares is durable and can be adjusted to any face. If you check out your local SSI Dive Center, you might even find mask straps that come in funky colors and patterns to make you stand out underwater.
2. Mask
Again, you cannot dive if you cannot see! In the rare event that your mask gets broken, or drops off the boat and into the ocean, you will be very happy that you packed a spare.
Your spare mask does not have to be expensive; it is just a backup after all. The Mares Opera mask is a good choice as it is extremely durable.
3. Mask anti-fog
Masks can fog up if they are new or if they change temperatures quickly, and a fogged up mask is as bad as no mask at all. At worst, it can cause you to panic, or ruin your view of exciting marine life at best. Having a bottle of anti-fog like this onein your emergency scuba diving kit means you will never have to risk getting fogged up on a dive.
4. Fin strap
Fin straps tend to be quite durable and last a long time, but eventually salt water can take its toll on your fins and the strap might break. If you have clip-in fin straps, another common issue is that the clip can fall off the fins and become lost.
It is good to carry extra clips in case one does go missing, and to have an extra fin strap, too. You will need to check that your spare fin strap is compatible with your fins, but the bungee strap from Mares is ergonomically designed and easy to adjust.
5. Snorkel
Snorkels are essential on scuba dives in places with large waves, or where you have a long surface swim to the descent point. Losing or forgetting your snorkel will make it more difficult to swim on the surface with ease. Having a lightweight spare is a good idea.
This Mares snorkel floats in both saltwater and freshwater and has a soft tube. This snorkel will fit nicely into your emergency spares kit.
6. Snorkel keeper
Sure, you can stick your snorkel between your face and the mask if you need to, but this might break the seal and allow water to enter your mask. Snorkel keepers allow you to attach your snorkel to your mask and not worry about losing it.
Snorkel keepers go missing all the time, and they are very small and inexpensive so having a spare one in your kit is a really good idea.
7. O-rings
There are little silicone O-rings hidden in regulators and on tanks. These O-rings allow for a nice seal between pieces of equipment, and they usually last a very long time.
However, if an O-ring is to break, this can lead to the seal being broken and air escaping and being wasted. O-rings are very small and can be carried in a tiny sealed bag or even in a key ring. You can buy O-rings here.
8. Silicone grease
Silicone grease keeps O-rings lubricated so that they can create an effective seal. It can also be used to lubricate zippers on wetsuits, dive boots, and dive bags. Having a small tube of silicone grease in your emergency scuba diving kit will mean you can loosen up a zip or lubricate an O-ring whenever you need to.
9. Mouthpiece
If you have had your regulators for a long time, or if you are using rental regulators, you might find that the mouthpiece becomes worn away from you or other people biting down on it regularly.
You might also find that the mouthpiece on rental regulators is too big for your mouth. Carrying a spare mouthpiece is a great way to ensure that you are the only person using it and that it is comfortable.
Make sure it fits your mouth and fits onto the regulators very easily and quickly. This mouthpiece kit from Mares comes in a regular and a small size.
10. Batteries
There is nothing worse than diving and finding your low battery alert starts flashing on your camera or dive computer halfway through the day. Carrying a spare camera battery in your emergency scuba diving kit will mean that you do not have to miss a moment.
Make sure you keep your spare battery fully charged! Depending on your dive computer, you might be able to change the battery yourself. If this is the case, it could be a good idea to have the items you need to do this in your kit, too.
11. Sock/gloves
No one likes being cold on a dive, and gloves and socks have a habit of going missing quite easily. If you are going cold water diving, spares are essential.
Keep a set of spare neoprene gloves and socks in your emergency scuba diving kit to ensure a comfortable dive. Mares has good options for both gloves and socks with a range of thickness options. Here are some comfortable 5mm dive socks you might like.
These items are small but vital for comfortable and efficient diving. When you add them to your main dive kit, you will be ready for every adventure!
If you want to learn how to get the most out of your diving gear, become an Equipment Techniques Specialty Diver. You will learn how to choose the right dive kit for your needs and how to care for it properly. It is a great way to get the most out of your dive kit investment and ensure you enjoy comfortable, safe dives for many years.
CHECK OUT THE SSI EQUIPMENT TECHNIQUES SPECIALTY DIVER PROGRAM HERE