Lamps every dive?

Mark Ruff · July 15th, 2007, 02:34 PM

Should you carry your primary & 2 back ups on every dive regardless of enviroment & conditions?

dennydiving · July 15th, 2007, 02:42 PM

Good quotes come to mind

"Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. "

For red sea etc probably not but in the UK primary and backups come along all the time. Don't take what you don't need though!

Mark Ruff · July 15th, 2007, 02:49 PM

Cheers,
Which torches are the best for your back-ups? Only type I've seen DIR divers using has been the Halcyon scout type. Are these the standard for the rig?

Icarusflies · July 15th, 2007, 02:57 PM

I carry my Salvo 21 W 9 amps in every dive and I do Miami. The weight of the canister influences my trim so I adjust my gear to be balanced. If I would use my light every other dive my trim would be all over.

I use two OMS Vega light as backups.

GLOC · July 15th, 2007, 03:26 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Ruff)

Cheers,
Which torches are the best for your back-ups? Only type I've seen DIR divers using has been the Halcyon scout type. Are these the standard for the rig?

I personally use a pair of Photon Torpedos, one with LED upgrade and one with the normal xenon/halogen bulb. As I do nearly all my diving in the UK, I take all three whenever I go. As it is, the PTs stay on the rig all the time, that way I know where they are

Mark Ruff · July 15th, 2007, 03:37 PM

Many thanks!

LCF · July 15th, 2007, 04:50 PM

As I was taught it, two backups are not necessary when you have ambient light. In fact, it makes sense to look at the dive you're doing, and see whether a backup light will be of any use at all. In 100 feet of viz in tropical sunlight, I can guarantee you that most backup lights are only going to be good for looking in deep holes. I usually don't carry one in the tropics for daytime diving.

On the other hand, I carry my Salvo 21W for every dive -- Not because its presence or absence affects my position, weighting or trim, because it doesn't, but because I've been amazed at how useful it is even in tropical conditions. It brings out color, and heightens the relief to help you find well-camouflaged critters, as well as illuminating holes and overhangs. It is nearly worthless for signalling in clear water in the daytime, though.

Gareth Burrows · July 15th, 2007, 06:12 PM

I take the salvo and two backups every time. Why bother changing anything.

MarkEm · July 15th, 2007, 06:38 PM

I always take my backup lights. They hold your chest d-rings in place so even if you don't use them they are serving a purpose.

Cheers,

Mark.

decoweenie · July 15th, 2007, 08:45 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by dennydiving)

"Better to have it and not need it...

Don't take what you don't need...

Aren't these 2 things contradicting each other ?

July 15th, 2007, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mark Ruff(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: EGYPT Posts: 15	Lamps every dive? Should you carry your primary & 2 back ups on every dive regardless of enviroment & conditions?

July 15th, 2007, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
dennydiving(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: chalfont st peter Posts: 48	lamps every dive Good quotes come to mind "Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. " For red sea etc probably not but in the UK primary and backups come along all the time. Don't take what you don't need though!

July 15th, 2007, 03:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,953	Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Ruff) Cheers, Which torches are the best for your back-ups? Only type I've seen DIR divers using has been the Halcyon scout type. Are these the standard for the rig? I personally use a pair of Photon Torpedos, one with LED upgrade and one with the normal xenon/halogen bulb. As I do nearly all my diving in the UK, I take all three whenever I go. As it is, the PTs stay on the rig all the time, that way I know where they are __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar If you don't have the time to do something right, where are you going to find the time to fix it? - Stephen King

July 15th, 2007, 04:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
LCF(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 622	As I was taught it, two backups are not necessary when you have ambient light. In fact, it makes sense to look at the dive you're doing, and see whether a backup light will be of any use at all. In 100 feet of viz in tropical sunlight, I can guarantee you that most backup lights are only going to be good for looking in deep holes. I usually don't carry one in the tropics for daytime diving. On the other hand, I carry my Salvo 21W for every dive -- Not because its presence or absence affects my position, weighting or trim, because it doesn't, but because I've been amazed at how useful it is even in tropical conditions. It brings out color, and heightens the relief to help you find well-camouflaged critters, as well as illuminating holes and overhangs. It is nearly worthless for signalling in clear water in the daytime, though. __________________ check out www.divematrix.com "So, it's a good thing to always do the drills the same way . . . but in real life you need to act the right way, whatever that happens to be." LauNar

July 15th, 2007, 06:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gareth Burrows(Offline) Chimp 2 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 365	I take the salvo and two backups every time. Why bother changing anything. __________________ Garf Amusing and Clever Signature under construction.

July 15th, 2007, 02:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Ruff(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: EGYPT Posts: 15	Cheers, Which torches are the best for your back-ups? Only type I've seen DIR divers using has been the Halcyon scout type. Are these the standard for the rig?

July 15th, 2007, 02:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Icarusflies(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Barcelona Posts: 201	I carry my Salvo 21 W 9 amps in every dive and I do Miami. The weight of the canister influences my trim so I adjust my gear to be balanced. If I would use my light every other dive my trim would be all over. I use two OMS Vega light as backups.

July 15th, 2007, 03:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mark Ruff(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: EGYPT Posts: 15	Many thanks!

July 15th, 2007, 06:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
MarkEm(Offline) Site Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 220	I always take my backup lights. They hold your chest d-rings in place so even if you don't use them they are serving a purpose. Cheers, Mark. __________________ *WWW.DIVESIGNS.COM*

July 15th, 2007, 08:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
decoweenie(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: - Posts: 154	Quote: (Originally Posted by dennydiving) "Better to have it and not need it... Don't take what you don't need... Aren't these 2 things contradicting each other ?