The wetsuits are thicker, or perhaps you’ve switched to dry; the air is chillier and the holidays are just around the corner. If you are still trying to figure out what to give your dive buddy, consider some of these gifts.
Add safety essentials to your buddy’s gear bag. Equip your buddy with the tools he needs to ensure his safety. The new and improved surface signal kit helps make sure your buddy is seen, heard and never stranded. It comes with a six-foot orange signaling sausage featuring a 2-inch reflective strip on both sides and a radar-reflective panel located on the inside of the tube as well as a Wind Storm whistle, signal mirror and safety light all incorporated into the sausage’s base. The kit clips to your buddy’s BCD so he can stow it during a dive and access it easily in an emergency.
Or give him a basic personal first aid kit, complete with first aid supplies and waterproof zipper pockets. Accidents can happen; help your buddy be prepared to respond to them.
It’s the little things. Fin straps snap, d-rings break, batteries die and defogger runs out; these simple facts of a diver’s life are often overlooked. Make sure your buddy never misses a dive; give him a complete “oops” kit. Throw in some extra clips, first aid reference guides, a dive slate and some sunscreen. Pack it all up in a waterproof case or drybag, and your buddy is ready to go.
Continue your education. Diving is full of opportunities to continue to learn and enhance your skills. Enroll you and your buddy in a course and develop your skills together whether it’s underwater navigation, drysuit diving or rescue skills. Become better divers together!
Deck your buddy in dive apparel. If your buddy’s gear bag is brimming with delights, perhaps you should help him don some topside styles. Equip your buddy with long-sleeve or short-sleeve tees. Help him stay warm during his surface intervals with fleece hats or jackets. Or get him some dive-themed apparel from his favorite dive destination or his favorite marine-themed artist.
Give the gift that keeps on giving: A DAN membership comes complete with great benefits for both above and below the surface. With a DAN membership, your buddy will get DAN TravelAssist; a subscription to Alert Diver; access to DAN’s online seminars, presentations and workshop proceedings; access to the Worldcue® Planner Real-Time Travel Intelligence® Resource; and the option to buy dive accident insurance. In addition, when you purchase your buddy’s membership, you help support DAN’s nonprofit efforts, including the DAN Emergency Hotline and the Medical Information Line.
Happy holidays, and as always, dive safely.
Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the safety and health of scuba divers. DAN operates a 24-hour emergency hotline (+1-919-684-9111) to help divers in need of medical emergency assistance for diving or nondiving incidents.
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