Most divers assume that if they diving by day, you shouldn’t have to carry a flashlight. They couldn’t be more wrong. It is always better to be prepared with a compact LED dive torch in case there is an unexpected emergency. Also, a deep dive during the day could be pretty dark and its better to carry some light source if you do not want to miss out on the view.
For anyone who is on a night-dive and want to keep it natural, it is still better to carry a flashlight and not put it to use than not carry one at all. It is recommended on wreck exploring trips and definitely recommended for amateurs. It obviously has to be water-proof with new or fully charged cells in order to avoid any sudden blackouts when down there.
Flashlights are a very good way to light up your diving experience. You’ll be able to peek in those dark corners where some fish tend to hide. It is good to have backups for lights if you plan to do a night dive or have a long diving trip.
When going for a dive at night or into murky water, take a fully charged dive torch and a pocket flashlight as backup and make sure they are secured to your body or suit to avoid losing them. Although it is okay to use artificial light underwater, be sure you do not disturb the marine animals or other divers. And definitely avoid flashing light into anybody’s eyes.
If stuck or in danger, use the flashlight to send distress signals to nearby divers. It is obviously recommended to agree upon signals with partners or teams prior to the dive. If a partner is lost or you find yourself lost, again a torch can be effectively used in the situation. Look for other diver’s light beams and follow them. Always maintain other divers in sight. But do not panic if you cannot see them. Just switch off the light for a few seconds and look for the light from the others’ torches. You’ll find them in no time.
It is recommended that diving be done in teams or at least pairs for safety purposes. It is also usually suggested to keep the partner/s in sight. If you happen to lose track of a partner, you can switch off you flashlight and look for the beam of light from your partner’s torch.
Follow all the standard diving procedures and instructions. Play it by the rules and your trip will surely be a huge success! Finally, keep it safe, for yourself and the environment.