Top 10 Dive Gear Upgrades You Can Do Yourself

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Top 10 Dive Gear Upgrades You Can Do Yourself #scuba
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[@toadou8127]

I tie in a SS fishing swivel, at the 15 ft. safety stop mark, on my spool lines. My favorite spool, has a 15 ft. floating Dyneema line section, attached to the buoy.

[@Iceman231181]

Thank you for the one with the loops at the reg dustcaps. This solves so many problems at once 😂

[@albertbell7120]

Love the single mirror my old dive buddy uses a old dvd 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Easy to replace and the hole in the middle is handy to look through and line up where you're trying to shine the light

[@helenhiggins8260]

Some great ideas there I've never heard of in 8 years of diving. Reflective mirror is a top idea. Thanks for the video, from Australia

[@jeffconley6366]

Item 2, hose length: I use two 40 inch hoses with 90 degree swivels and bolt snaps routed under my arm. No big exposed loop of hose (close to body). With 90 degree swivel you get full length of hose to share air. I can use either second stage as my safe second, When setting my gear up, before putting my kit on, I snap each second stage off to a shoulder D ring. Protects my second stage from being dragged on ground or being crushed.

[@172sbct]

@@jeffconley6366. Brand new diver here. Is it possible to include a picture of your setup the way you explain? Thanks!

[@MysticalDragon73]

@@172sbct sadly youtube doesnt allow for pics to be attached to comments.

[@cpu088]

Beginner diver here - thanks so much for the tips! These are great!

[@sebastianlauwers]

Hi #askmark a while ago I asked you about diving with a third cylinder in addition to my twinset in order to extend bottom time during multiple dives. You said it would be best to get training due to task loading. Just wanted to let you know that this week I’m becoming a tech diver with deco procedures and advanced nitrox, and I’ve been doing maskless stage drop off and recovery on gorgeous wrecks! Thanks for the advice and guidance!

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Outstanding! That's great news. I think back to some of the things that I just learnt by doing them and how much better it is to get proper Instruction. Well done you.

[@jasonkennedy2045]

Great tips Mark, thanks. Grabbed a couple of good ones. Cheers 🍻

[@mariusplumim4193]

Wish for a next video: What are your favorite / must have gadgets for longer dive trips? I started with diving last year (OWD 10 dives, but this year there will be a lot more diving). This year I'll fly to Cape Verde for 2,5 weeks for diving. What are gadgets I should take with me? Like I have seen that some divers take hooks with suction cups with them, to hang their dry suit on the wall of the shower so they can dry there. So more gadgets beside the actual diving equipment and tools.

[@markshoub7335]

I like a retractor on my spg. It keeps it out of the way until I need it. I really like the pocket loop idea.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

All of the retractors I've ever used have jammed or broken, maybe the designs have improved since I used them.

[@bartbroeksma5619]

@@ScubaDiverMagazine I use a cheap Cressi retractor and is has been going strong for over two years (ca. 100 dives) now. I unscrew the case every now and then and apply silicon sealant to the inner spring. Feels like new every time.

[@MelvynDOliveiro]

Great video and tips. Thanks Mark. I have put a double ender on my dive torch strap and snap it to my BCD D-ring.

[@CopyRightJT]

That was very helpfull! Very you so very much as always

[@AdamHelb]

I like the magnetic octo holder. Easy to reattach if octo is pulled out. Just keep away from compass.

[@valtterimattila570]

Loops big enough on the dust caps that you can loop the dust cap itself through around something on the boat so you don't lose them. Necklace needs to be quick release, as does the bolt snap on the long hose - on sidemount at least, backmount I wouldn't have a boltsnap there. A small cable tie is quick release, or use a worn out O-ring (and a cable tie/line).

[@Flyingjaffacake]

Check out a brand called "tough tags", it's custom printed labels that really do the job well. I use them on loads of gear, notably thermos cups that go through the dishwasher cycle and come out unscathed. Great for climbing equipment too.

[@montypythonish]

I measure the length of cord on my reel by unwinding onto a wirley washing line. My washing line has four sections and a two meter span. I just count the cords on the spans and times by two meters. When fully unwound, I can also check it's firmly attached to the reel. When rewinding the cord back to the reel I can check for knots and nicks. Using my washing line saves the long line birds nests knot on the floor. UK diver since 2005.

[@UltimateLogbookApp]

Excellent ideas!!! This video finally pushed me to subscribe 😅

[@timgosling6189]

Ironically I just bought an Apeks Nitrox deco stage reg and it came with a 70cm hose, 20 to 30 cm too short for its intended use depending on your rig. Why?

[@barbaraendel2549]

Loved this video, thanks Mark. How can I find the small eyelet you threaded through the regulator to hang it up so it doesn’t fall.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

That particular one is on my Apeks DIN Dust Cap. You can buy them as a separate item but, I also make some loops with paracord and a boltsnap to quickly hang up a regulator

[@j.radford7109]

Awesome beta Mark! So, I'm a semi-newbie diver and I was just wondering about your beard. I sometimes use a silicone gel on mine, but was wondering what you do for a better mask seal. Thanks from the US Pacific Northwest.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

I just tend to use some beard balm, I figure it's better for the hair and shouldn't affect the silicone mask seal. I also use an Atomic Venom Frameless mask that has a very soft sealing surface to create a more even sealing surface. Even with that, water does eventually find it's way in, it's a sacrifice we must make for the beard

[@southafricanrhino]

Great tips! Your chanel is great. How do you get shorter hose for your regulator? Or is there a way to cut it...?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

No, hoses come in set lengths or you can order some custom lengths from some manufacturers. Most brands will make popular lengths of their hoses and might offer a custom order if you need something longer or shorter. But you can't cut and change the length of existing hoses unless you can crimp a new ferrule on the end.

[@MysticalDragon73]

So bolt snaps are apparently safe with diving? I've seen you and others mention them or the double enders. I come from a kayaking background. we NEVER use anything but locking carabiners or other devices that lock to prevent us from getting snagged on stuff. I was surprised to see them not used with diving.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Yeah, carabiners have their place in commercial diving but, recreational divers avoid them like the plague, even locking carabiners. Boltsnaps are the standard for diving. It's rare for something to open the gate and get caught in the hook. The piston mechanism makes that movement tricky. And the way that the gate opens on a boltsnap, anything that does find it's way inside can't get trapped. Interesting that the kayaking industry dislikes them

[@MysticalDragon73]

@@ScubaDiverMagazine Thank you. It was rather surprising to see items like boltsnaps being used since it was pounded into me early on in kayaking never to have anything that doesnt lock. It was shown how dangerous/deadly it could be. However it is a different world as we are dealing with currents and fast moving water more often. So it makes sense. One more thing of many to be adding to my list of stuff to get lol

[@coltadrian]

Thank you for the Tips Mark, what's the brand of the shorts with side pockets you used on this video?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

They are Fourth Element Tech Shorts. They have the best size and design pockets IMHO.

[@RobinMoerland]

#askmark you did a video on how to tie a bolt snap or double ended bolt snap. Can't seem to find it back. Would you be so kind to link it for me?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

This one? I've probably done a few over the years: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWe9k5SMj7xljMU

[@RobinMoerland]

@@ScubaDiverMagazine yes this one is the one I was looking for.

[@jacobkrause1913]

1: buy an oversized spool then remove enough line from the spool to allow you to attach a double ender, followed by adding a big loop with heatshrink tip. 2: get proper length regulator hoses. 3: use boltsnaps with cave line or bungee to secure your equipment. 4: put new mouthpieces on, bigger, smaller, or custom moulded. 5: get a dedicated audible and visual emergency location devices, whistle, mirror, DSMB, also copy of ID 6: put bungee loops into your pockets of your suit 7: regulator cap hanger loop. 8: put a slap strap on your mask and an oring to connect boltsnap to 9: necklace your backup regulator 10: put springstraps on your fins.

[@TimothyBoyce904]

Tell us more about the aftermarket fabric mask strap. I have an oceanic shadow mask I would love to swap out for something more elastic.

[@kennethjmcarthur2428]

Great ideas, thanks, Mark.

[@MichaelFalco42]

What size O ring are you using to clip off the mask?

[@tomthompson7400]

hose length ,,, I would say put the longer hose on your primary second stage , as in a real life out of air situation it will be you breathing from your octo and your primary will be long gone. My fave upgrade ,,,, a bigger flask , once you have hot tea or soup etc to donate you will be amazed a how popular and interesting you become.

[@jeffconley6366]

Whistles you showed are not very loud. Get a loud plastic one and make sure it's the kind without a pea . USCG uses Fox whistles. Yes there are larger louder ones.

[@EnergiZeScuba]

love it! thx Mark!

[@davenadler4600]

@askmark Why do you prefer steel over brass bolt snaps?

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Brass bends and can sometimes become sharp. Brass is a relatively soft metal so the hook can be distorted quite easily. And after repeated use the piston can sharpen the edges of the slide and some divers have cut their thumbs on them. It's rare but, I've never had a problem with a steel boltsnap.

[@amalek01]

Where might one obtain that loop that you run through the eyelet in your dust cap? Cheers!

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

I think I salvaged them from an old bag that was falling apart. I kept the zipper pulls because they seemed handy. You'll probably be able to find some online

[@ScubaGeorge93]

🤙🏻

[@dustinpower1683]

every zip tie is reusable.

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

I don't have the patience to try and re-thread and tighten used zip ties

[@mikesonntag7698]

Don't use those reusable zip ties. When I was doing a dry suit flip demonstration the clip came off and I no longer had a reg in my mouth just a mouth piece. I only use zip ties from now on

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

Sure but, I've had mouthpieces pulled off with regular zip ties leaving the mouthpiece in my mouth

[@mikesonntag7698]

Ya anything can happen but I synch down the zip tie. That clip thing does not hold nearly as tight imo. Over 400 dives i used the clip for 6 of those dives and had a problem the other ~394 dives thr regular zip tie has hold no problem.

[@Bengoesscubadiving]

i am having the octo on the left side, gives much more space

[@godfoca]

More civilized 😂

[@ScubaDiverMagazine]

One must always strive to be as civilised as possible while scuba diving