Others

Signaling Devices Underwater and at the Surface

Attracting a buddy’s attention underwater requires producing a sound or visual signal that carries through water more effectively than waving. Water is a dense medium that transmits sound efficiently but also attenuates it rapidly with distance — a signal that is audible at 3 m may be inaudible at 10 m depending on ambient noise and the material being struck. The Tank banger is the simplest solution: a rubber ring fitted around the cylinder that, when pulled and released, strikes the metal tank and produces a sharp knock audible to nearby divers. It requires no battery, no deployment time, and no additional equipment — it is always on the tank when the diver is in the water.

The Shaker produces a rattling sound through a sealed housing that the diver shakes in hand. The Rattle with pointer combines the acoustic function of a shaker with an attached pointer stick, reducing the number of items a diver carries while maintaining both communication and directional pointing capability. For surface signaling — attracting the attention of a boat or surface support when a diver surfaces away from the entry point — the Whistle is compact, clips to a BCD D-ring, and produces a sound that travels further over water than voice in wind and swell.

Hooks: Reef and Jon-Line Applications

The Reef hook and Hook for jonline address a specific technique used in current diving. A reef hook is a stainless steel hook on a line that attaches to a D-ring on the BCD — the diver hooks onto a stable substrate (coral rubble, rock, or a fixed mooring anchor point specifically designed for this purpose) and maintains position in a current without finning. This technique is standard for drift dives on walls and pinnacles where sustained finning would exhaust the diver or disturb the bottom. The hook point allows detachment with a single hand movement when the diver is ready to continue.

The Hook for jonline serves a different purpose. A jon line is a short tether used during decompression stops — the diver clips one end to the anchor line or a fixed point and the other to the BCD, allowing them to maintain stop depth without having to hold onto the line manually in a current. The hook fitting at the BCD end of a jon line needs to be large enough to clear most D-rings and quick to operate with gloves. The stainless construction of this hook handles the repeated saltwater exposure inherent to decompression diving.

Pointers, Sticks, and Multifunction Tools

The Pointer in colours and Underwater stick serve overlapping functions. Both are used to indicate objects to a buddy without making physical contact — important near marine life and fragile substrate. The Pointer in colours is a compact rigid rod available in several colours for visibility contrast against different backgrounds. The Underwater stick is longer and can also be used to probe a crevice, move debris, or stabilise the diver’s position by pushing gently against a substrate — a technique used by photographers steadying themselves for a shot without using their hands on the reef.

The Watch protector is a protective sleeve fitted over a watch or dive computer on the wrist to prevent impact damage during the dive or during equipment handling. The three multifunction tools — Dive tool, Hex keys multifunction tool, and 8in1 Multifunction dive tool — cover the range of field maintenance tasks a diver might need to perform at a dive site. The Hex keys multifunction tool provides the most commonly needed fastener sizes for regulator, BCD, and accessory maintenance. The Dive tool and 8in1 Multifunction dive tool add screwdrivers, a wrench, and additional implements, covering a wider range of servicing and field repair tasks in a single compact unit.

What to Look For

• Signaling device accessibility on the BCD. A signaling device that cannot be reached with one hand in under five seconds provides no useful function in an emergency. Tank bangers are always deployed because they are fixed to the cylinder; handheld devices like the Shaker need a clip point on the BCD where they are immediately reachable. Position signaling devices on the chest or upper arm area where they can be accessed without looking down.
• Reef hook line length and attachment hardware. A reef hook is only as useful as the line it is on — too short and it cannot reach a suitable attachment point; too long and it creates a loop that can snag other equipment or marine life. Standard reef hook lines are 1–2 m. Confirm the attachment hardware at the BCD end is compatible with your D-ring size and can be clipped and unclipped with gloves on.
• Multifunction tool hex key sizes. Before purchasing a multifunction tool for field maintenance, identify the specific hex key sizes required by your regulator, BCD inflator, and accessory hardware. The Hex keys multifunction tool covers the most common sizes, but verify against the fasteners you actually use. An incorrect size provides no benefit and creates a false sense of preparedness.
• Pointer colour visibility in your typical diving environment. The Pointer in colours is available in multiple colours. In blue-water open ocean diving, a yellow or orange pointer is highly visible. In green or brown freshwater visibility conditions, a bright colour with high saturation contrast works better than one that blends with ambient light. Match pointer colour to typical dive conditions rather than personal preference.
• Material corrosion resistance for hooks. Both the Reef hook and Hook for jonline are stainless steel — appropriate for saltwater. Inspect hooks periodically for surface rust at non-marine-grade welded points, which are more susceptible to crevice corrosion than the main body of the hook. A hook that shows significant rust should be replaced rather than trusted with a load-bearing application.

Maintenance and Care

FAQ