I agree, training and experience is much more important than gear. The best gear in the world won't help you if you don't know how to use it or panic when a problem occurs. If you maintain your gear regularly, and bring save-a-dive kit, 99.9% of time you won't miss a dive. Of course this only applies to recreational shallow dives. If I'm doing a 130ft dive, I bring a pony bottle. If I'm doing wreck penetration, I'm carrying doubles with long hose and 2 flash lights. Use the right tool for the right job. Practice for emergencies regularly and always dive within your limits.
Greetings from Germany! I agree with every single word. In recreational diving, even on decompression dives, a watch, compass and depth gauge should be sufficient to complete any dive (safe!). And if it is not, you should consider refreshing your knowledge and training.
I have to travel, I live in Kansas, so I try to shed some items and weight. I do have a second dive computer, and I use both while I'm diving. I try to dive twice a year, so I don't get to keep up on my proficiency. Also, I have two masks, one a good prescription and the other just has magnifying lenses. I do like your channel.
I dive sidemount and have 2 computers so I’m my own buddy, essentially, and the trim and time I have is great. And a bum bag with a 2nd mask has been useful, BUT it is for technical diving to your point. Before, as a recreational diver, no hassles ever with good quality well maintained equipment
redundancy is never a bad thing. Remember, it’s not always for you but maybe for a dive buddy especially things like mask they are cheap and easy to pack
But where do you draw the line? No idea. The thing I forget will be the thing I need. I know there will be many people that do carry redundant gear. No problem at all. Peace of mind is extremely valuable. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
I have a Shearwater Perdix 2 with an AI transmitter. I do rec dives. Going to do my advanced and want to do dives down to 130 ft. Do you think I should have an SPG too? I’ve dove with some shops and when I asked about the SPG they talked to me like I was a bit dumb saying “what do you need that for? You have an AI transmitter”.
@@johnfair62 Congratulations on comparing apple & oranges. You have a back up parachute when jumping out of a plane because if your main fail, you will die. If your AI or SPG fail, you can always abort your dive and you can freely surface. A more appropriate scuba comparison with parachute is redundancy in cave diving, penetration wreck diving, deco diving etc. You have a ceiling (artificial or physical) that prevents you from surfacing there and then if something goes wrong or break. You still need to be able to breath or find your way out. To OP, you don't need it, but there's nothing stopping you (and many in fact do). Go with what makes you feel most comfortable.
My answer may be different than other divers. But as said in the video... If you don't have an spg and your computer fails, are you dead? No. I trust my computer with my life. 5000+ dives and I do not use a spg. Has my battery ever died on a computer? Yes, and sometimes I do it on purpose to test a new computer. Still, no spg. These different scenarios have culminated in this video. I feel like most possible scenarios could be covered by this video. Might be good to watch again with your exact question in mind. Might hear something new. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy
@@johnfair62 Not the same thing my friend. Absolute death without a backup. I too would carry a spare chute. But two dive computers when it is just a minor inconvenience if the first one fails? Yeah, not for me. If for you then there is nothing wrong with that. Thanks for watching. Freddy.
Do you drive without a spare tire Freddy? It's better safe than sorry, so having something extra doesn't hurt. You say WHY! Why, because its easy if you just have some analog gauges on you if the computer dies. You just carry on. I had a friend who's computer failed, he was 60 feet down wreck diving. I understand your occupational awareness, that's common sense, but I have to disagree with you. I would rather have a backup set of gauges, then I don't need to go back up and ruin the dive for myself or dive buddy. A lot of time and money is spent on planning the dive, vacation time used...so instead of cutting his/her dive short because my computer failed I can just look at my gauges and dive watch like old school and we both can enjoy our dive time. Can you name me anything in live that hasn't failed? I can't. Also being a former Boy Scout as a child, the motto was always be prepared. There was once a guitar player for Hall and Oats named T-Bone, he passed away and they were speaking memories of him and one thing they said, ( I laughed about and thought was a good idea) was he always had a backup sandwich. I though that is a good idea, as there have been times I was stuck at work for hours past my quitting time. Now I always have a backup sandwich. My friends who sit around hungry say I have a backpack full of food, they are right, I always have a backup sandwich and I will always have a backup set of gauges in case my computer fails. Here is another true story that happened to me. I used to live in Las Vegas Nevada, I had not been to the desert before, I drove my truck way out into the desert and before I left I said to myself, watch me get a flat tire since I don't have a spare. About ten miles out, I got out of my truck to look around and when I opened the door, I heard HISSSSSSSS... I said oh no, I had a leak. I drove the truck as fast as I could to get as close to home as I could. I ended up driving on the tire and had to buy another one and after that I got a spare. Also I would ride my dirt bike way out into the desert. I had a tool kit with me, but put off buying an extra spark plug, so wouldn't you know, I fouled a plug. I pushed that motorcycle fourteen miles through the desert back home. Halfway there I found a can of Budweiser (that must have fallen out of someones four wheel drive truck). I opened it and had a few drinks to wet my whistle and it got me through to the end. So the moral of this is to always have a backup. Except when your married, you don't want a backup girlfriend. Your new ex will own half your stuff. ;)
He didn't say you should never have backups for anything. He was talking about shallow recreational dives. If you're going on a 60ft open water dive, do you only dive sidemount with two separate 1st, 2nd stages, SPGs and an O2 deco bottle (in case you go into deco by accident)? Do you bring 2 dive computers? Do you have dual bladder BCD? Do you also carry a spare mask in your pocket while diving? You would, if you were cave diving, but for any recreational dive that would be completely unnecessary.
Of course, on Planet Earth, there will be scenarios where you wish you had something you are missing. I have somehow managed to survive 5000+ dives, spanning 51 years of diving with my dive gear. Yes, there have been times like I mentioned that I could have used a backup of something, like my mask. But I didn't miss a dive, was never in an unsafe situation and my gear fits in one suitcase with the 50lb limit for airlines. I have never brought a spare tire diving but I do bring spare underwear. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
@@coralkeyscuba Freddy, when a guy jumps out of a plane multiple atmospheres up, they have a back up parachute, but I guess if you had great training and confidence and want the freedom. you wouldn't need a back up parachute in your philosophy. Good luck to you. I will use a back up and enjoy my dives.
@@johnfair62 I don't agree with Freddy fully on all he said. But seriously, comparing a scenario where the lack of backup will kill you with one that end an activity a bit earlier than otherwise is just silly.
I agree, training and experience is much more important than gear. The best gear in the world won't help you if you don't know how to use it or panic when a problem occurs. If you maintain your gear regularly, and bring save-a-dive kit, 99.9% of time you won't miss a dive. Of course this only applies to recreational shallow dives. If I'm doing a 130ft dive, I bring a pony bottle. If I'm doing wreck penetration, I'm carrying doubles with long hose and 2 flash lights. Use the right tool for the right job. Practice for emergencies regularly and always dive within your limits.
Yep, you seem like you are well experienced. That is the most valuable thing you bring to a dive. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
Greetings from Germany! I agree with every single word. In recreational diving, even on decompression dives, a watch, compass and depth gauge should be sufficient to complete any dive (safe!). And if it is not, you should consider refreshing your knowledge and training.
I have to travel, I live in Kansas, so I try to shed some items and weight. I do have a second dive computer, and I use both while I'm diving. I try to dive twice a year, so I don't get to keep up on my proficiency. Also, I have two masks, one a good prescription and the other just has magnifying lenses.
I do like your channel.
I dive sidemount and have 2 computers so I’m my own buddy, essentially, and the trim and time I have is great. And a bum bag with a 2nd mask has been useful, BUT it is for technical diving to your point. Before, as a recreational diver, no hassles ever with good quality well maintained equipment
Yeah man, I have the same scenario. Tech would be foolish to avoid redundancy. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
redundancy is never a bad thing. Remember, it’s not always for you but maybe for a dive buddy especially things like mask they are cheap and easy to pack
But where do you draw the line? No idea. The thing I forget will be the thing I need. I know there will be many people that do carry redundant gear. No problem at all. Peace of mind is extremely valuable. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
that's why I bring a backup buddy.
I have a Shearwater Perdix 2 with an AI transmitter. I do rec dives. Going to do my advanced and want to do dives down to 130 ft. Do you think I should have an SPG too? I’ve dove with some shops and when I asked about the SPG they talked to me like I was a bit dumb saying “what do you need that for? You have an AI transmitter”.
Even when you jump out of an airplane with a parachute you have a back up parachute.
@@johnfair62 Congratulations on comparing apple & oranges. You have a back up parachute when jumping out of a plane because if your main fail, you will die. If your AI or SPG fail, you can always abort your dive and you can freely surface. A more appropriate scuba comparison with parachute is redundancy in cave diving, penetration wreck diving, deco diving etc. You have a ceiling (artificial or physical) that prevents you from surfacing there and then if something goes wrong or break. You still need to be able to breath or find your way out.
To OP, you don't need it, but there's nothing stopping you (and many in fact do). Go with what makes you feel most comfortable.
My answer may be different than other divers. But as said in the video... If you don't have an spg and your computer fails, are you dead? No. I trust my computer with my life. 5000+ dives and I do not use a spg. Has my battery ever died on a computer? Yes, and sometimes I do it on purpose to test a new computer. Still, no spg. These different scenarios have culminated in this video. I feel like most possible scenarios could be covered by this video. Might be good to watch again with your exact question in mind. Might hear something new. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy
@@johnfair62 Not the same thing my friend. Absolute death without a backup. I too would carry a spare chute. But two dive computers when it is just a minor inconvenience if the first one fails? Yeah, not for me. If for you then there is nothing wrong with that. Thanks for watching. Freddy.
@@chankwanting Great answer. I can't agree more. Thanks on making it a community answer. Take care, Freddy
Do you drive without a spare tire Freddy? It's better safe than sorry, so having something extra doesn't hurt. You say WHY! Why, because its easy if you just have some analog gauges on you if the computer dies. You just carry on. I had a friend who's computer failed, he was 60 feet down wreck diving. I understand your occupational awareness, that's common sense, but I have to disagree with you. I would rather have a backup set of gauges, then I don't need to go back up and ruin the dive for myself or dive buddy. A lot of time and money is spent on planning the dive, vacation time used...so instead of cutting his/her dive short because my computer failed I can just look at my gauges and dive watch like old school and we both can enjoy our dive time. Can you name me anything in live that hasn't failed? I can't. Also being a former Boy Scout as a child, the motto was always be prepared. There was once a guitar player for Hall and Oats named T-Bone, he passed away and they were speaking memories of him and one thing they said, ( I laughed about and thought was a good idea) was he always had a backup sandwich. I though that is a good idea, as there have been times I was stuck at work for hours past my quitting time. Now I always have a backup sandwich. My friends who sit around hungry say I have a backpack full of food, they are right, I always have a backup sandwich and I will always have a backup set of gauges in case my computer fails. Here is another true story that happened to me. I used to live in Las Vegas Nevada, I had not been to the desert before, I drove my truck way out into the desert and before I left I said to myself, watch me get a flat tire since I don't have a spare. About ten miles out, I got out of my truck to look around and when I opened the door, I heard HISSSSSSSS... I said oh no, I had a leak. I drove the truck as fast as I could to get as close to home as I could. I ended up driving on the tire and had to buy another one and after that I got a spare. Also I would ride my dirt bike way out into the desert. I had a tool kit with me, but put off buying an extra spark plug, so wouldn't you know, I fouled a plug. I pushed that motorcycle fourteen miles through the desert back home. Halfway there I found a can of Budweiser (that must have fallen out of someones four wheel drive truck). I opened it and had a few drinks to wet my whistle and it got me through to the end. So the moral of this is to always have a backup. Except when your married, you don't want a backup girlfriend. Your new ex will own half your stuff. ;)
He didn't say you should never have backups for anything. He was talking about shallow recreational dives. If you're going on a 60ft open water dive, do you only dive sidemount with two separate 1st, 2nd stages, SPGs and an O2 deco bottle (in case you go into deco by accident)? Do you bring 2 dive computers? Do you have dual bladder BCD? Do you also carry a spare mask in your pocket while diving? You would, if you were cave diving, but for any recreational dive that would be completely unnecessary.
Of course, on Planet Earth, there will be scenarios where you wish you had something you are missing. I have somehow managed to survive 5000+ dives, spanning 51 years of diving with my dive gear. Yes, there have been times like I mentioned that I could have used a backup of something, like my mask. But I didn't miss a dive, was never in an unsafe situation and my gear fits in one suitcase with the 50lb limit for airlines. I have never brought a spare tire diving but I do bring spare underwear. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
@@coralkeyscuba Freddy, when a guy jumps out of a plane multiple atmospheres up, they have a back up parachute, but I guess if you had great training and confidence and want the freedom. you wouldn't need a back up parachute in your philosophy. Good luck to you. I will use a back up and enjoy my dives.
@@johnfair62 I don't agree with Freddy fully on all he said. But seriously, comparing a scenario where the lack of backup will kill you with one that end an activity a bit earlier than otherwise is just silly.