Scuba Essentials: Save-a-Dive Kit

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make a save-a-dive kit

As scuba divers, we are very much reliant upon the gear we use, and, sometimes, even a minor equipment malfunction may become a reason you have to miss that long-anticipated dive. So, it is essential to carry a well-stocked save-a-dive kit that will help you handle basic, foreseeable issues and gear hiccups, such as a broken mask strap, dead computer battery or blown O-ring.

The exact contents of a save-a-dive kit aren’t universal and will vary depending on the gear you use and the diving you do. Nonetheless, some things will be in most, if not all, kits. Below, you’ll find a list of items that should help you to troubleshoot the most common problems that may arise before, after or during a dive.

Let’s start with some generic pieces that you’ll need regardless of the gear you carry.

Container

First of all, you need to find an appropriate container for all your spare parts, tools, etc. There are many options you can choose from, some opt to use a dry box or a pelican case, while others go for a dedicated small dive bag or reg bag. When making a decision, think about size, organization, accessibility, and desired water tightness. Keep in mind, you will likely have several items that you don’t want getting wet, so consider getting at least a water-resistant, if not a submersible, container.

dry container

Various O-rings

Many parts of your scuba equipment, including regulators, valves, lights, and dive computers, contain O-rings, which may perish, dry out and develop cracks as time goes by. Therefore, it is important to carry a variety of different sized O-rings. They often come in kits, so you can choose a compact keychain style container with 12 O-rings and a small pick or go for a large 200-piece set with an assortment of O-ring picks included. If you’re using high percentages of nitrox or pure O2 for decompression, make sure the O-rings you get are oxygen compatible.

o-rins and picks

O-ring Picks

If your O-ring kit does not include a pick, make sure to purchase it separately, as the new O-ring will not do you much good if you don’t have a tool to dislodge old, worn or broken one. O-ring picks look much like dental tools but, ideally, are made out of brass as stainless steel tools can scratch delicate surfaces on valve faces or regulators.

Innovative Scuba Tank KeyChain With O-Rings and Pick - DIPNDIVE
Innovative Scuba Tank KeyChain With O-Rings and Pick - DIPNDIVE
Innovative Scuba Tank KeyChain With O-Rings and Pick - DIPNDIVE
Innovative Scuba Tank KeyChain With O-Rings and Pick - DIPNDIVE

Innovative Tank KeyChain With O-Rings and Pick

$15.95
Trident 10 Piece Save A Dive Mini O-Ring Kit - DIPNDIVE
Trident 10 Piece Save A Dive Mini O-Ring Kit - DIPNDIVE

Trident 10 Piece Save A Dive Mini O-Ring Kit

$9.95
Trident Deluxe Save A Dive 40 Piece O-Ring Kit Accessories - DIPNDIVE
Trident Deluxe Save A Dive 40 Piece O-Ring Kit Accessories - DIPNDIVE
Trident Deluxe Save A Dive 40 Piece O-Ring Kit Accessories - DIPNDIVE

Trident Deluxe Save A Dive 40 Piece O-Ring Kit Accessories

$17.64

Silicone Grease

Silicone grease or spray is a great all-purpose lubricant that can protect the rubber parts of your equipment from drying out or cracking and will shield the metals from rust and corrosion.

Dive Tools

Keep a basic toolkit handy, just in case you need to make a few emergency repairs to your equipment (assuming you know how to!). You can get a handheld scuba multi-tool or a whole toolkit, made specifically for diving equipment. Ideally, you should have some hex/alan keys (imperial and metric), wrenches or a small adjustable crescent wrench, a flat head (and possibly a Phillips head screwdriver), needle nose pliers and a cutting device.

dive tools
XS Scuba TL103 Tool Master - DIPNDIVE
XS Scuba TL103 Tool Master - DIPNDIVE

XS Scuba TL103 Tool Master

$24.95
XS Scuba Scuba Multi-Tool - DIPNDIVE
XS Scuba Scuba Multi-Tool - DIPNDIVE
XS Scuba Scuba Multi-Tool - DIPNDIVE

XS Scuba Scuba Multi-Tool

$30.95
Trident S105 Deluxe Divers Tool Kit - DIPNDIVE
Trident S105 Deluxe Divers Tool Kit - DIPNDIVE
Trident S105 Deluxe Divers Tool Kit - DIPNDIVE
Trident S105 Deluxe Divers Tool Kit - DIPNDIVE

Trident S105 Deluxe Divers Tool Kit

$72.02

Zip Ties / Zap Straps

These work great in emergencies to fasten broken gear and can even be used to attach mouthpieces to regulator second stages.

First Aid Kit

All scuba divers should carry a first aid kit as standard. You never know when you may need to use it. In addition to regular first aid items, divers may want to add waterproof band-aids, sunburn cream, antihistamine, eye and ear drops, antiseptic cleanser, and sting aid. You can start with one of the DAN first aid kits, and then supplement it. Or assemble your own from scratch.

dan first aid kit

Once you have the essentials covered, think about the gear you carry and what parts of it might need to be fixed or replaced during the day of diving. We’ll cover the example of somebody with a basic scuba kit that includes a mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, wetsuit, computer, and regulator.

Defog

Mask fogging won’t make you cancel the dive, but may seriously spoil the experience. So, get an effective anti-fog agent to keep your mask free from fog.

Spare Mask Strap

Mask straps, usually made of a fairly thin strip of rubber, tend to break at the most inopportune times. So, having a spare on hand can save a day of diving in a hurry. You can also choose to get a neoprene strap instead of a standard rubber one. It is less likely to break, and won’t pull on your hair. Ideally, you should also have an extra mask in your kit and bring it on a dive in case the strap breaks mid-dive or you lose your mask.

Spare Mouthpiece

Mouthpieces wear down over time, and suddenly you may find yourself chewing through yours, so keeping a spare is smart. Some divers prefer a particular style of a mouthpiece and it might be nice to have an extra of the one you like, but there are also many inexpensive ones that can be used as a temporary fix or given to a buddy in need.

Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE
Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory - DIPNDIVE

Cressi Neoprene Mask Strap Accessory

$9.45
Innovative Dive Flag Mask Bag - DIPNDIVE
Innovative Dive Flag Mask Bag - DIPNDIVE
Innovative Dive Flag Mask Bag - DIPNDIVE
Innovative Dive Flag Mask Bag - DIPNDIVE

Innovative Dive Flag Mask Bag

$17.95
Tusa MC-7500 Ceos Mask Corrective Lens - DIPNDIVE
Tusa MC-7500 Ceos Mask Corrective Lens - DIPNDIVE

Tusa MC-7500 Ceos Mask Corrective Lens

$24.95
ScubaPro Velcro Mask Strap - DIPNDIVE
ScubaPro Velcro Mask Strap - DIPNDIVE

ScubaPro Velcro Mask Strap

$25.00

Extra Fin Straps and Buckles

Fin straps suffer the same risk of breaking as a mask strap, so carrying a set of replacements is very useful. You can also upgrade to spring straps to prevent breakage in the first place. Note, some manufacturers use proprietary strap and buckle technologies, so make sure to get the ones that fit your fins.

Extra Hoses

Very rarely is there a catastrophic hose failure, but it can happen, so it’s a good idea to carry a spare HP Hose, Regulator Hose, and Inflator Hose, plus the air spools used to connect the SPGs to HP hoses. This is especially true if you are traveling to remote locations and are not sure if the local shops will have the spare parts you need.

Wetsuit Adhesive or Repair Kit

A wetsuit adhesive or sealant (there are some that, in addition to neoprene, work with a variety of other materials, including nylon, vinyl, PVC, rubber, and leather) can be used to patch small holes or seal leaking seams. The majority do take somewhere from 8 to 24 hours to cure and must be applied to clean dry surfaces, so you need to understand that this is not an on-the-fly fix. However, if you are planning on taking an extended trip to a fairly remote diving destination, this is a valuable item in your save a dive kit.

dan first aid kit

Zipper Wax / Lube

A jammed zipper is highly irritating, so keep some zipper lubricant handy at all times to ensure your wetsuit zipper functions as intended.

Stormsure Neoprene Queen Wetsuit Repair Glue 5gram - DIPNDIVE
Stormsure Neoprene Queen Wetsuit Repair Glue 5gram - DIPNDIVE

Stormsure Neoprene Queen Wetsuit Repair Glue 5gram

$6.45
Underwater Kinetics HangAir Drying Systems for Wetsuits and Drysuits - DIPNDIVE
Underwater Kinetics HangAir Drying Systems for Wetsuits and Drysuits - DIPNDIVE
Underwater Kinetics HangAir Drying Systems for Wetsuits and Drysuits - DIPNDIVE
Underwater Kinetics HangAir Drying Systems for Wetsuits and Drysuits - DIPNDIVE

Underwater Kinetics HangAir Drying Systems for Wetsuits and Drysuits

$76.00
Trident Black Neoprene Cement 4 Ounce Can Of Black - DIPNDIVE
Trident Black Neoprene Cement 4 Ounce Can Of Black - DIPNDIVE

Trident Black Neoprene Cement 4 Ounce Can Of Black

$17.95
Trident Aqua Drysuit and Wetsuit Talcum Powder - DIPNDIVE
Trident Aqua Drysuit and Wetsuit Talcum Powder - DIPNDIVE

Trident Aqua Drysuit and Wetsuit Talcum Powder

$16.95

Spare Computer Batteries

Carry a spare of whatever battery or batteries your dive computer takes, plus the tool to change the battery if needed. If you have a computer with a rechargeable battery make sure to bring the charger as well as an electrical voltage converter/adapter.



Although this may seem like a lot, most of these items are quite small. Still, if you want to save space, team up with your buddy to create a kit between the two of you.

Remember, if you’re exploring different areas of recreational diving such as cold water, wreck, deep, sidemount, etc. and adding new gear to your setup, you may need to add or change the items in your save-a-dive kit. Additionally, don’t forget to restock items after you use them.

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