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By the end of this topic, you should be able to answer these questions: 1 What are three reasons wetbooks or slates are considered mandatory equipment for tec diving? 2 What are two places tec divers often have pockets? 3 What is the purpose of a breakaway clip? 4 What is a primary light and when do you use one? 5 What is a backup light, how many are recommended and where do you carry them? Wetbooks and Slates Usually a convenience in recreational diving, wetbooks or slates are a necessity in technical diving for several reasons: Communication -- understanding between you and your team mates may be crucial; if they don’t understand a signal or there is a complex issue, you can explain in writing. Dive plans - if you’re using two dive timers or a dive computer and a dive timer you need to carry your dive plans or backup plans with you. Memory back up -- you can’t rely on memory for crucial information; use a wetbook/slate to record minimum ascent gas/turn around pressure, special procedures, etc. Record keeping – on some dives you’ll record your time, depth and gas supply throughout the dive. You can use them for surveying, such as when cave or wreck diving, and to keep other plans. Photo credit Imad Farhat/Halcyon Dive Systems Choose a wetbook or slate that fits easily in your thigh pocket or other easily accessible pocket because you’ll use it frequently. Wetbooks and multiple page slates are a good choice for lots of writing space. Pockets The most useful pocket in tec diving is on the outside of your exposure suit thigh. At this location, it doesn't interfere with leg movement. Thigh pockets are easily accessible and can be big enough to carry larger accessories, such as a backup mask or DSMB and reel/spool. Some manufacturers make strap-on pockets or overshorts with pockets to use if your exposure suit doesn’t have a thigh pocket. Pockets are also usually threaded on the waist strap of your harness or attached near your lower back (underneath the cylinders if diving back mount). To minimize confusion and bulk, avoid large pocket pouches on the harness. Small pockets for backup gear, like your spare mask, that are out of the way at the hips are okay. Photo credit Bori Bennett/Halcyon Dive Systems Clips You should mount clips on your accessories, not on you harness. Marine grade stainless steel clips are the best for use on accessories. Choose the clip size suited to the piece of equipment, use and handling. Smaller clips that work easily in warm water with thin gloves may be impossible to use in cool water with thick gloves. Bolt Snaps Bolt snaps (also called p-clips, dog clips or sliding gate clips) are preferred to marine snaps (swinging gate clips), because they won’t accidentally snap on to things by themselves. Photo credit Halcyon Dive Systems Break-away Clips Use a break-away clip on anything you may need to discard or release in an emergency, such as regulator second stages. To create a simple break-away, connect a clip to the accessory or gauge via a small o-ring or small, thin cable tie. In an emergency, a sharp pull or twist breaks the o-ring/cable tie, releasing the accessory or gauge from the clip. It’s a good idea to test them. Clips for accessories such as reels and spools are usually mounted with string or other means that will not easily break, but can be cut if necessary. You should be able to reach all clips, because all clips can entangle or need your attention. Accessories on a D-ring should be well out of the way when stowed, and not dangle or create entanglement potential. If possible, keep backup accessories in a pocket except when in use. If you need to hang more than one item per D-ring, position them in the same order each time so that you know where to find each by feel. Lights Dive lights are not mandatory equipment for all technical diving, but are required in some environments, especially at higher levels, because there is less ambient light at deeper depths. Primary lights are those intended for use as a main light. They have rechargeable batteries, long burn times (sufficient to cover your planned dive, plus a reserve), and handles. Improvements in battery technology mean that primary lights can be either corded with a separate battery canister or handheld. Tec side mount Capt? No context here. Photo credit Julian Mühlenhaus/Halcyon Dive Systems Bulbs are usually LED and light heads may be fixed or adjustable. Typically divers use focussed beams to light the dive. Wide beams are mostly used with video. Batteries are often subject to carrying restrictions during travel. It's a good idea to contact your carrier ahead of air travel to confirm how your light batteries should be carried. Handles, either metal or soft fabric, should enable you to continue to use your hand for other purposes while holding the light. A small bolt snap is usually attached to the handle so that the light can be clipped up when not in use, to avoid damage and dragging. Using Your Light Using a primary light correctly requires practice. If you need to use a light during your training your instructor will show you how to use it, including: Holding the light steady, so that the beam doesn’t flash around Using light signals to communicate with your team Lighting your hand signals to make them visible Clipping your light up, when necessary Backup Lights Backup lights are smaller lights used when a primary light fails. If your dive requires a primary light, you should have two backups. Primary lights are now small enough that some divers carry a second primary light so that the dive can continue if a primary light fails. Backup lights should have sufficient light and burn time, plus a reserve, to last during the exit and ascent from your dive. They are usually clipped to the harness or in a pocket unless needed. Backup lights are used in the same way as primary lights. In some environments, you may change team order if one person has to use a backup light, because it may be harder to get the team’s attention with a less powerful light