What I Keep In My Thigh Pockets | Safe Diving

[@jeffconley6366]

Back in the early 1980's thigh pockets were very popular. The Dive Shop I worked at we sold a lot custom wet suits and they almost always had at least 1 thigh pocket. There wasn't as large a variety of wet suit sizes back then. Many people would buy the pockets and glue on themselves. I really like the Apek and Mares shorts. But, they are way overpriced. Dive Gear Express sales a pair that is less expensive. But now that shorts with pockets are popular. They are more expensive than they use to be as well.

[@soc919]

The backup mask is brilliant. Seems like an odd thing at first but such a critical item especially when considering other divers

[@jangrewe]

I was gonna get me an Apeks Tech Short, but it looks live i need more boltsnaps first.

[@dkjens0705]

I do a lot of guiding and often bring even two extra masks. The biggest chore is rinsing them thoroughly after each day of diving or they will start to grow their own little forrest inside ha ha. I buy titanium coated paramedics shears, they are very inexpensive and resists rust better than any SS shears available.

[@SafeDiving]

Yeah, I used to bring a TUSA Geminus because you can disassemble the mask to properly remove any nasties from growing inside

[@WeiseGuy91]

How do you add bungee to your pocket? Mine don't have bungee and I'd love to add some.

[@SafeDiving]

If there's an eyelet for drainage you can tie a knot on the inside and outside to add a bungee loop. Poke both ends of the bungee through the eyelet, tie a knot on the outside. And then tie another knot on the inside of the pocket to keep the loop in place. Hopefully that makes sense when you read it...

[@djsalose]

One of the reason Safety gear is in the right pocket is that you might have 2 or 3 stage bottles on the left side.. =)

[@KimonFrousios]

That's an interesting use of an old DAN card. I've put my name and DAN# on my slate, but I don't always carry the slate due to bulk, and many wouldn't know what to do with that info, whereas a DAN card has some phone numbers one can call. I'll steal that idea. Thanks Mark!

[@SafeDiving]

I had a bunch of them collecting dust and I noticed the info doesn't really change on them and they're waterproof...

[@neilchapman2711]

The thigh pockets on my Argonaut are fantastic to stow items. How well does the Fourth Element technical support itself under load including the weight of bolt snaps?

[@andrewnielsen4890]

#askMark I really enjoy watching your videos and I recently acquired my first drysuit, a DUI Yukon II. I was limited by budget so it was an off the rack drysuit with one thigh pocket. In the future when budget allows I’d love to get a custom built drysuit but for now I’d like to figure out how to add another thigh pocket to my drysuit. I have done a lot of research and it seems that an XS Scuba glue on thigh pocket is my best option. It comes with glue but I was wondering if you have had any experience with this pocket or others that glue on? The last thing I want is all my expensive contents of the pocket falling out during a dive because of failed adhesive or worse yet, a ruined drysuit. I appreciate any insight you can give and thank you for putting out great videos!

[@SafeDiving]

It's often the same contact adhesive that we use to fit new seals on drysuits so, the glue is soing to last. A little adhesive goes a *long way* and try to be as neat as possible because once it's on your suit it's impossible to get off. Remember that I work at @scubadivermagazine now so you can find all of my new videos over there now

[@reynaldopatron8859]

Hello my friend, I always keep seeing your videos, they are so nice, even when I get new diving gear, before take a decision I check it. Thank you once again. Regards, Reynaldo

[@leopoldbloom4835]

Fun fact: If you count That Word in all its variations (b..., single/double ender, shaun, jehova) this video adds up to 15 mentions. That’s one every 49 seconds. Just for your information.

[@kevendescheneaux1293]

do you use those shorts over your 3 mill wetsuit or just like this?

[@markweaver3458]

I have seen people wear them over a wetsuit. Saves having to glue pockets on your wetsuit, plus if you fancy diving without a wetsuit you can just wear the shorts.

[@johnrice8728]

Maybe the stowing of a yellow DSMB in your hit-the-fan pocket too

[@Yggdrasil42]

That's a pretty massive DSMB! Does it double as a lift bag?

[@SafeDiving]

All jokes aside yes, if I puncture a bladder I can use one of them as buoyancy to get me to the surface without ditching lead. Plus you can never go too big with a dSMB!

[@Mrich775]

I love a 2m dsmb myself, Kent tool makes incredible ones(they will ship to the US if you ask politely as well, just be ready for payment issues with us cards). One red, marked diver on deco and one yellow, marked emergency. They communicate, mark, and let me have a hang bag for deco and lift bag if necessary. In addition in many countries other than the us and carribean area, red and Yellow bags communicate different issues.

[@daleeclark1022]

What is the product name. Where can you purchase the product?

[@SafeDiving]

The shorts? They're Fourth Element Tech Shorts. You can get them from Fourth Element and any Fourth Element Dealer

[@gjjb6662]

Ever use those tech pockets on a drysuit? Fourth element states they are for a wetsuit, but would there be problems using them on a wetsuit? They look like amazing pockets!

[@djsalose]

I liked your setup.. but i would personaly have the extra dsmb in the left pocket.. in a situation when you have no visibility and need you extra spool i would not like to have it there being in the way =)

[@captainpanda5533]

Did the thigh pockets come with the bungee leashes attached, or did you add those yourself? Those are a great idea.

[@SafeDiving]

They come fitted, You can fit your own, if the pocket has a grommet for drainage, tie a knot on the outside and one on the inside so you have a bungee loop in the pocket.

[@richardj3715]

Where can you buy those Fourth Element Technical Shorts in the United States?

[@SafeDiving]

There are a few places: fourthelement.com/dealers/

[@richardj3715]

Received my shorts. Well made and large pockets for storage. Thanks.

[@osamah2131]

Thanks for making videos bro, been watching you since simply scuba! I was wondering, what did you use to tie off your knife and what kind of knife is that? Thanks! Can you also make a video about diving planning? Appreciate you man!

[@SafeDiving]

The knife in my right pocket is a Mares Force Bat Titanium, but I don't think they make it anymore... I just use some 2mm line from an old spool to tie it onto a boltsnap. New spools tend to come with too much line anyway so I collect that and use it for jobs like this.

[@osamah2131]

Safe Diving haha yes I also watched your “How to upgrade a spool” video. Thanks you for your content you are a pleasure to watch!

[@reidmatthews366]

Do you empty each pocket and rinse each item off individually after each dive? Thanks!

[@SafeDiving]

Depends on the surface interval, if I'm doing multiple dives on one day I'll just flush out the pockets with fresh water. If my next dive is more than a day or two away I'll pull everything out, wash it out and dry it properly. Keeps gear lasting longer

[@reidmatthews366]

@@SafeDiving Makes sense! Thank you.

[@Ben-ie1ht]

Maybe you can do a video about your personal favorite dive story's like in the Simply Scuba Podcast

[@SafeDiving]

Yeah, I can chat for days on diving stories, hard to do by yourself... I'll just have to talk to the voices in my head or one of the dogs

[@Ben-ie1ht]

@@SafeDiving 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nyax129]

I will for ever call double enders "shauns" bahahahhahaha

[@richardj3715]

What brand is your titanium folding knife?

[@SafeDiving]

It is a Mares Force Bat Titanium Knife, not sure if they still make it...

[@richardj3715]

You are correct. Unfortunately, they don't make it anymore. Thanks.

[@djsalose]

@@richardj3715 i would not recommend buying a k ife for more than 10$.. In an situation you want to just drop the knife and get saftely up..

[@clarkeysam]

What's happened to that wall (in the corner when using the lower camera)?!

[@SafeDiving]

It's an old wall that's had a hard life and in one of its darker years it went through a tough patch that it doesn't like to talk about...

[@SafeDiving]

That and subsidence, whoever built the house didn't do a great job I think

[@clarkeysam]

@@SafeDiving haha. I was concerned it was going to collapse! Stay safe.

[@RichardSlater]

Why do you use these shorts with pockets instead of the pockets that hang from bcd/harness and strap around yorur leg?

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

These are far more practical. You don't need to strap them around your leg, stay with you if you need to hand off your BCD before climbing into a RIB, and don't need to be cut off in an emergency. They're also more expensive...

[@MrDunk66]

These days DAN believes that your rescuers will be able to identify you from the device you stored your electronic eCard on - go figure. I am having stainless dog tags made for myself. Love your work - thanks for sharing 😀 Is that a DSMB in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me 😂

[@davegink9222]

I have a set of dog tags on my BCD.

[@leemoore8154]

Do you have any tips for attaching pockets to wetsuits? I have a 7 mm wetsuit that doesn't have thigh pockets, and I was thinking about gluing some on. I found what seems like a good model of pocket (Waterproof's Light Pocket), but I'm hesitant to actually pull the trigger and glue it. Have you ever done it, or do you know anything about it?

[@SafeDiving]

Look for a proper two-part contact adhesive that's made for neoprene. You want something that is made to work when submerged and can move and flex without cracking. I wouldn't load the pocket up too much and if you can tape the seams it will make them stronger. You can stitch them but the thread can allow water ingress that makes the suit colder so a blind stitch is your only option if you choose to stitch.

[@leemoore8154]

@@SafeDiving Thanks for the input. I really just want a better place to put my DSMB and spool, some wetnotes, and maybe a spare mask on deeper dives - nothing too heavy. I currently have my DSMB attached to the side of my backplate with a couple loops of bungee, and my spool attached the the rear D ring. Would you stretch the neoprene to more closely match the stretch of wearing it while you glue it and let it cure, or just glue it on unstretched?

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

I use the apeks tec shorts over my wetsuit. Check it out it makes things a lot easier

[@leemoore8154]

@@diveinstructordaniel1095 I actually recently got a pair of DGX Pocket Shorts that are in a box to be returned because the fit is very strange. I'm also not a huge fan of adding that much more neoprene. I need enough lead as it is in my 7 mm (plus hooded vest, boots, and gloves). I'll look into the Apeks shorts though.

[@FerdausNadzir]

Lee Moore Or maybe use a dive holster? It’s quite popular here in Asia. www.amazon.com/IST-Pocket-Holster-Storage-Equipment/dp/B004NX7YHM

[@scottscharmer8084]

do you carry a CPR pocket mask for emergency?

[@SafeDiving]

I used to, but they kept growing things inside so they'd probably do more bad than good... There's always a couple with the O2 Kit, but I don't tend to take one on dives anymore.

[@micagas]

Snorkel is the best water proof pocket mask xD

[@rafaeldelrio9754]

Hello, I would like your opinion on the different agencies... Including CMAS and GUE.

[@geometricstranger7198]

Is that a massive DSMB in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

[@number6204]

Fourth Element Technical Shorts

[@RichardSlater]

That pocket is big to carry a dsmb and mask, or maybe I have small pockets. I don't know how people go diving and don't carry a spare mask but many do. Surprised you don't carry a strobe with you or signalling mirror.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Many uw flashlights have a strobe function. No need to carry a separate strobe in that case.

[@Mike.4639]

for recreational diving all this redundancy seems an overkill. How many times did you broke your mask or fins strap ? 2 SMB ? how many times did you lost your SMB ? check your gear at the surface and make sure your buddy does too, take proper care of it and should be fine. For tech diving , deep , cave, wreck, absolutellly ok with redundancy and special procedures, regarding recreational keep it simple. Unless of course you are a tech geek , One that does the job is better than 2 not working properly...

[@SafeDiving]

Well, I've been on dives where I've had to donate my backup mask and donate a dSMB to another diver.Sure, it seems excessive to other divers, but you don't need to copy me...

[@Mike.4639]

@@SafeDiving i wont, but you can be my buddy, never know when you may need some spares 😀

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

I've only done 20 dives, and in those 20 dives I've seen two people with leaky masks which needed a replacement. In those cases the instructor just swapped masks with the divers, but having a back-up can't hurt.

[@Mike.4639]

@@bloodymarvelous4790 i teach my students how to clean a " leaky " mask so they dont need to replace it 😄

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

@@Mike.4639 clean or clear?

[@orkodan]

The amount of times i've nearly been kicked in the face and thought, what if i lose my mask? Well, i finally bought a new one so my old one which still rocks, will go into my pocket :)

[@SCT15H_07]

Finally, crotch cam 🤣

[@wongke]

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