My current dive kit:
- XDEEP Ghost Deluxe with both back cargo pockets (one for backup mask, other for SMB+line)
- Apeks XTX50 with DIN DST and yoke converter for travel (at the moment, I’m diving with pretty standard length hoses, but may move to long hose in the future) I use a bungee necklace for my octo, so take a bit of a hybrid approach.
- Shearwater Perdix with AI sensor
- I have an old Oceanic watch dove computer as a backup
- Cressi Digi 2 as an in-line backup to my dive computer as well. I’m not afraid to have my pressure be digital. If that ever breaks, then I may change my mind. It’s nice to have the digital depth as well in case my dive computer ever malfunctions.
- Backup ScubaPro compass
- Fins are not pictured, but currently using Folding Fins. I really like them except the way that the boot holder clips into the base feel like a bit of a point of failure. Have been exploring travel fins, but they all appear to be positively buoyant, which I’m not sure about.
- My masks are both Hollis M-1. Highly recommended for comfort and visibility.
- Sola Wrist Light
- DiveRite CX2 as my backup light
- I carry standard line scissors and a Zeagle Line Cutter
- Camera is not pictured, but is a DJI Action 2 in a waterproof case with a handle. If I use the double case, it will last two hour-long dives. If I use the single case, it’s about 1.5 dives. It really varies though based upon resolution and whether I keep it on the whole time.
- I have an XDeep bolt snap on my primary second stage reg and the one with the larger hoop on my Digi 2 pressure gauge. The octo uses the bungee bolt snap system in case I want to clip it off instead of using the necklace. I’m doing PADI Rescue Diver soon and they don’t teach using a necklace, so I’m forced to do it their way for that course, then will go back to necklace.
- Wetsuit is 3 mil Henderson
- ScubaPro booties, hood, and gloves
- I found that a roll-up tool bag works nice for a save-a-dive kit.
- Additionally, I alway pack some o-ring lube because I hate having a hissing connection with the yoke.
Thoughts?
Is this a tech dive trip or a recreational dive trip? If it was recreational I prefer to pack light. 1 mask, 1 primary light, 1 computer, etc… If my mask breaks I’ll stop by and buy one from the many shops.
To me it’s not worth the Hassle to bring a ton of spare/redundant equipment.
Technical diving trip… You’re gonna need more gear 😉
Just saw your comment. To respond, this was a reef dive trip, however we do cenotes, which are cavern dives if they close the port due to bad weather. Have done that a few times now. Also do a lot of night dives here. Just finished up and leaving tomorrow. Was able to fit everything in my carryons. From my experience, I have seen someone need a new mask right before a dive started as well as during a dive even though we found it and got it back on them. I have had my primary light fail during a dive and have also been lost in no viz and used my analog compass to find the bank of the inlet I was diving where the Perdix compass was a bit finicky. Based upon the reading that I’ve done, such as the book Under Pressure, I feel that a DIR-style mentality is ideal and try to use the same setup every time, so that I know exactly where everything is and how to access things. This trip, I ended up doing 8 dives altogether. One was a small wreck penetration and the rest were walls and reefs. It was good to know that I had my backup stuff and made use of my analog compass when some of the divers were lagging behind, so I could aim us in the correct direction of the DM disappearing in the distance. Was a lot of fun. This was my first dive with the Apeks aside from a pool test. Worked fantastic and was fortunately able to do DIN cylinders instead of having to use my yolk converter. My only critique is of the XDeep. I find that the air does not distribute evenly all the time due to the taco that it creates around the cylinder. It will glue back and forth as you shift during the dive. Additionally, the dump valve is hard to grab with gloves, but I get that it is in a place that is possibly less prone to snags. Nailed trim and buoyancy this trip. Was exciting to feel the progress and glide along with ease.
I’m curious how you like the folding fins. I’ve never tried them before.
I like them a lot actually. They are great for frog kicking because the transparent part flexes like a frog’s webbed feet. Used them through Dos Ojos and other cenotes without issue. I feel that the clips that hold the boot slips in place might be a potential point-of-failure. Additionally, the instructions warn that the flapped area can tear if you encounter a sharp object, which is possible in a wreck or in some of my inlet dives in NJ. They feel pretty neutral in terms of buoyancy and do not feel cheap, except for the clips on the boot slips which hold them in using compression. I also wish that the strap points were more universal, but it only works with the straps that it came with. I’ll likely try out ScubaPro Go Sport fins next, but am a little deterred by the reviews for those indicating that they have positive buoyancy. The folding fins did give me pretty good propulsion. Had to kick against current recently with them to get to the other side of a wreck and I was able to get the job done where others couldn’t, so it was a testament to their power.
Thanks for sharing! Appreciate your perspective.
Quick update. The strap on one of the fins broke during a simulated emergency on my Rescue Diver course. I was struggling to get the fins on in order to swim out to rescue someone and it snapped. Since they are not standard, it almost derailed the whole class for me. Has a backup, but was a major inconvenience. This would have been disastrous in a real life scenario. Going to buy some new fins.
