I wish you could do the same for a TRAVEL friendly version. This box and tool set is great for you south Florida types who drive to the boat, but many people fly into a destination without the space or weight allowance for such a big kit. Love this video, but hoping for a tiny bit more for those of packing BCDs and regulators in airline-friendly carryons 😂
If I am going to the middle of nowhere, I'd take everything and pay for the extra luggage. Otherwise I'd only pack spares specific to my gear and that I can repair myself in under 10mins, and rely on the dive shop to have tools I can borrow, common parts I can buy, or gear I can rent. It is nice to dive my own stuff, but lugging lots of redundant stuff that is rarely needed is not worth the bulk and weight.
James, thanks, new diver & have learned a lot from your videos, really appreciate them. One note, I bought the (new) DAN tag they offer. It's not expensive and has my account # on it as well as emergency contact info etc. Split ringed it to my BCD which helps to differentiate my BCD from others and is also handy just in case. They made it a good size - big enough to be noticeable and not so big that it gets in the way. Regards!
In addition to what you include in your SAD box, I also recommend a few feet of bungee in small and medium diameters (great for quick dive computer strap and fin strap repairs), a length of cave line (for quick bolt-snap attachments), a few extra bolt-snaps, superglue, and a small tube of neoprene cement. I also carry an extra LP and HP hose, as well as a couple spare spools for quick replacement if necessary. I have actually used all of the items I mentioned, both for myself, and my dive buddies. For what it's worth, I'm diving locally in the Philippines, a few hours from Manila. Many of these dive operators often do not have LDS operations, so it's either fix your issue, or no more diving for the weekend...
Here I am, at work, watching a video on this channel, with another open tab (prepared with a pending video on this channel), when my watch suddenly shows a notification about a new video on save-a-dive kits. Lovely day in the office😁
Good stuff! One upgrade I have done to my o-ring box, is to put them into small zip-loc bags, which are placed in the appropriate compartment. That way, in the event of the box being knocked off the leaning post in a rocking boat, the baggies are easily found on the deck, (or wherever they land) and the o-rings don't wind up in other compartments, or pinched under the lid.
Just got back from a trip to Maui and I made the decision to save the four pounds by leaving my Save-A-Dive kit at home. Afterall, I rarely have any need or desire to open it. You guessed it! Lots of gear issues that could have quickly and easily been cured with my Save-A-Dive kit. Instead, I had to rely on getting to a friendly dive shop that allowed me to use their tools and bench. Never again.
Will be using this case for my kit, all my dives are drysuit so I have a few extra things that will welcome the space it offers, plus the blue matches my theme
another great video. good for land based travel but in flying not very practical. On a recant trip to Bonaire. had one of the group break a mask stap and one break a fin strap. mask straps are easy to find but with so many types of fins not so easy, so would suggest at least one of each for your own kit.. Hope this is helpful. SAFE AND HAPPY DIVING
Hi James, I want to start scuba diving but I am wearing glasses. Could you maybe take a video on that subject? Is there good scuba masks available that have built-in glasses? Thank you from Austria
Video Requires more PUN! - Also how about a Travel S.A.D. for weight savings? And or a vid for a travel dive set for same thing? Weight is always an issue for my travel dives.
@DiversReady, James, how much does that SAD kit weigh? As some other commenters have mentioned, traveling with that kind of kit is tough. Nearly all of my diving destinations require a flight. I made a kit for my dive bag, but often end up leaving it at home to keep my bag under 50 lbs for airlines. Perhaps approaching this as not just a travel kit, but specifically liveaboard - where you’ll be far from any dive shop, and also limited on space and weight - would be a good approach? What do you take on Liveaboard boats for a SAD kit?
I think for a liveaboard you take all the tools and all the spares and pay the excess luggage if you have to. Because anything that is missing cannot be obtained and you lose the trip. For land destinations at a dive center, you have a place with tools and rental gear available, so I'd take minimal stuff with me for just the most common scenarios, like straps, computer batteries, and hose O-rings.
Did you have the chance to try out the Mission 2 yet? Just watched your Holiday Gift Guide 22 and you said that you´ll be reviewing it but I couldn´t find it on your channel.
What would you recommend for a cut down save a dive kit where small is better? I want you would consider the absolute essentials only. I don't intend to dismantle my regs, not being a service tech I don't think this is something I would be comfortable doing. My kit at the moment is replacement 'O' rings for DIN 1st stage, mask strap, batteries for torches and computer, spare mask and silicon grease. I don't dive nitrox (although I am and advanced nitrox diver) so I don't need to take a nitrox analyzer. This all fits nicely into a small snap lock plastic box. In your opinion am I missing something?
I really need to start diving…the cost though…hopefully will have enough cash saved to start soon. I live in a great, clear water/multiple shipwreck area.
Hey, just a thought: This is my first video of yours, and I don't know much about diving. A 30 second explanation of what a "save a dive kit" is in the first place at the beginning of the video would be useful.
Save yourself some money and skip the Pelican in favor of a Seahorse (Serpac) box. Same features and quality, so no real sacrifice and easier on the wallet. I get mine from Digi-Key, being an electronics guy.
@Steve the good ol 120 is a small pack for small items,(which is what I use for my o-rings, small wrenches, pick, etc.), but each series goes up in size a little. The 320 for a medium size carry case and 520 if you want enough space to carry a pony tank as well, but there are certainly a variety of sizes and then there is a most bust option as well if that's the goal.
Generally speaking, the items in a SADK aren't exactly fragile or in need of a tough box. You can get whatever is convenient for you. A handle will help you carry it around. A watertight O-ring seal will keep the stuff dry and prevent corrosion. Compartments or boxes within boxes will keep your stuff organized. Use a large case for local diving when you're taking a lot of stuff in your car, or a small case for travel where you only keep the bare essentials for your own gear. This is what I have in my SADK right now: Tools: 1.5/3/5/8mm hex keys, 14mm, 9/16" and 11/16" wrenches, No. 1 Phillips screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, O-ring pick. Small box of O-rings, with port plugs and HP swivels with their respective O-rings. Zip ties. EezyCut Trilobite replacement blades. Lighter. Trauma shears. Triglides and D-rings. Sharpies, Pilot Croquis automatic pencils and 6B fillings. Wrist lanyard. Mask defog. DIN to Yoke adapter. Lithium AA and CR2 batteries. Replacement mask straps. Bit of line. Bit of bungee. Regulator mouthpieces.
I wish you could do the same for a TRAVEL friendly version. This box and tool set is great for you south Florida types who drive to the boat, but many people fly into a destination without the space or weight allowance for such a big kit. Love this video, but hoping for a tiny bit more for those of packing BCDs and regulators in airline-friendly carryons 😂
I totally agree with you I need a more compact version as I live in California and only really dive when I travel
If I am going to the middle of nowhere, I'd take everything and pay for the extra luggage. Otherwise I'd only pack spares specific to my gear and that I can repair myself in under 10mins, and rely on the dive shop to have tools I can borrow, common parts I can buy, or gear I can rent. It is nice to dive my own stuff, but lugging lots of redundant stuff that is rarely needed is not worth the bulk and weight.
Plus If I bought a pelican case onto a RHIB the operator might throw a fit.
Dive Rite makes a nice tool roll up - IJS
James, thanks, new diver & have learned a lot from your videos, really appreciate them. One note, I bought the (new) DAN tag they offer. It's not expensive and has my account # on it as well as emergency contact info etc. Split ringed it to my BCD which helps to differentiate my BCD from others and is also handy just in case. They made it a good size - big enough to be noticeable and not so big that it gets in the way. Regards!
Thanks James! Really enjoyed this one!
Can you do a video on what medical supplies (if any) you carry?
Best dog name ever!
In addition to what you include in your SAD box, I also recommend a few feet of bungee in small and medium diameters (great for quick dive computer strap and fin strap repairs), a length of cave line (for quick bolt-snap attachments), a few extra bolt-snaps, superglue, and a small tube of neoprene cement. I also carry an extra LP and HP hose, as well as a couple spare spools for quick replacement if necessary. I have actually used all of the items I mentioned, both for myself, and my dive buddies.
For what it's worth, I'm diving locally in the Philippines, a few hours from Manila. Many of these dive operators often do not have LDS operations, so it's either fix your issue, or no more diving for the weekend...
Here I am, at work, watching a video on this channel, with another open tab (prepared with a pending video on this channel), when my watch suddenly shows a notification about a new video on save-a-dive kits. Lovely day in the office😁
Gab was my course director. Great guy ❤
Awesome, the kit is looking good!Thank you for the shout out James!
Good stuff! One upgrade I have done to my o-ring box, is to put them into small zip-loc bags, which are placed in the appropriate compartment. That way, in the event of the box being knocked off the leaning post in a rocking boat, the baggies are easily found on the deck, (or wherever they land) and the o-rings don't wind up in other compartments, or pinched under the lid.
Good call on taping the DAN card....now in my SaDK
Just got back from a trip to Maui and I made the decision to save the four pounds by leaving my Save-A-Dive kit at home. Afterall, I rarely have any need or desire to open it.
You guessed it! Lots of gear issues that could have quickly and easily been cured with my Save-A-Dive kit. Instead, I had to rely on getting to a friendly dive shop that allowed me to use their tools and bench. Never again.
Thank you James!
Great update.
Fantastic!
Excellent information. I’m definitely getting that o-ring tool!
Will be using this case for my kit, all my dives are drysuit so I have a few extra things that will welcome the space it offers, plus the blue matches my theme
this is what i use to store o-rings and picks. it fits in my bc pocket. and is cheap.
Scuba Choice Diving Mini Tank Key Ring with Brass Pick & O-Rings
another great video. good for land based travel but in flying not very practical. On a recant trip to Bonaire. had one of the group break a mask stap and one break a fin strap. mask straps are easy to find but with so many types of fins not so easy, so would suggest at least one of each for your own kit.. Hope this is helpful. SAFE AND HAPPY DIVING
Hi James,
I want to start scuba diving but I am wearing glasses. Could you maybe take a video on that subject?
Is there good scuba masks available that have built-in glasses? Thank you from Austria
👍😎🤿🇵🇭Always enjoy your videos!
love your dog name!!
@Diversready James, any thoughts or plans on a video for the new Apeks DSX computer for both tech and rec diving?
Apeks won’t talk to me! Can’t get them to answer my emails!
maybe a bit off topic but actually I catch myself smiling every time you begin your videos with "nice to see all your smiling faces..." 🙂
Hey James please show and explain your new roll up tool kit. Awesome videos and very helpful.
It is in the description with links to the items.
Video Requires more PUN! - Also how about a Travel S.A.D. for weight savings? And or a vid for a travel dive set for same thing? Weight is always an issue for my travel dives.
Can you provide a list or link of the tools that go into the roll up?
Vinyl sticker with DAN info
@DiversReady, James, how much does that SAD kit weigh? As some other commenters have mentioned, traveling with that kind of kit is tough. Nearly all of my diving destinations require a flight. I made a kit for my dive bag, but often end up leaving it at home to keep my bag under 50 lbs for airlines. Perhaps approaching this as not just a travel kit, but specifically liveaboard - where you’ll be far from any dive shop, and also limited on space and weight - would be a good approach? What do you take on Liveaboard boats for a SAD kit?
I think for a liveaboard you take all the tools and all the spares and pay the excess luggage if you have to. Because anything that is missing cannot be obtained and you lose the trip.
For land destinations at a dive center, you have a place with tools and rental gear available, so I'd take minimal stuff with me for just the most common scenarios, like straps, computer batteries, and hose O-rings.
Do you have a link for the pin spanner wrench?
Here you go: www.scubatools.com/p-772-modified-hook-spanner-5-15-in-diameter-arc-includes-156-pin.aspx
@@DiversReady thanks!
Did you have the chance to try out the Mission 2 yet? Just watched your Holiday Gift Guide 22 and you said that you´ll be reviewing it but I couldn´t find it on your channel.
What would you recommend for a cut down save a dive kit where small is better? I want you would consider the absolute essentials only. I don't intend to dismantle my regs, not being a service tech I don't think this is something I would be comfortable doing. My kit at the moment is replacement 'O' rings for DIN 1st stage, mask strap, batteries for torches and computer, spare mask and silicon grease. I don't dive nitrox (although I am and advanced nitrox diver) so I don't need to take a nitrox analyzer. This all fits nicely into a small snap lock plastic box. In your opinion am I missing something?
Nice
I noticed you have some Klein tools and you ran electric in emt in your shop. You wouldn’t happen to be a closet sparky would you?
I really need to start diving…the cost though…hopefully will have enough cash saved to start soon. I live in a great, clear water/multiple shipwreck area.
Did you change analyzer? I clicked your link and a different analyzer displayed
Seems that the linked o ring pick is not the one you have in the video, do you have another link?
Hmmm. Should be the same one! I got it from my purchased items list.
Try this one: www.scubatools.com/p-392-oring-pick-double-hook-blue-plastic-handle.aspx
Hey, just a thought: This is my first video of yours, and I don't know much about diving. A 30 second explanation of what a "save a dive kit" is in the first place at the beginning of the video would be useful.
What case is your analyzer in?
It's a Divesoft semi-rigid case. Comes with the Solo He/O2 analyzer, but can also be purchased separately.
I use a regulator bag for mine
I've given out more parts in general than I have used
Mask strap? Mouthpiece? Fin strap? Just a few extra things I have in my sad.
I would add a power bank even if it only helped someone else.
Save yourself some money and skip the Pelican in favor of a Seahorse (Serpac) box. Same features and quality, so no real sacrifice and easier on the wallet. I get mine from Digi-Key, being an electronics guy.
@Steve the good ol 120 is a small pack for small items,(which is what I use for my o-rings, small wrenches, pick, etc.), but each series goes up in size a little. The 320 for a medium size carry case and 520 if you want enough space to carry a pony tank as well, but there are certainly a variety of sizes and then there is a most bust option as well if that's the goal.
Generally speaking, the items in a SADK aren't exactly fragile or in need of a tough box. You can get whatever is convenient for you. A handle will help you carry it around. A watertight O-ring seal will keep the stuff dry and prevent corrosion. Compartments or boxes within boxes will keep your stuff organized. Use a large case for local diving when you're taking a lot of stuff in your car, or a small case for travel where you only keep the bare essentials for your own gear.
This is what I have in my SADK right now:
Tools: 1.5/3/5/8mm hex keys, 14mm, 9/16" and 11/16" wrenches, No. 1 Phillips screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, O-ring pick.
Small box of O-rings, with port plugs and HP swivels with their respective O-rings.
Zip ties.
EezyCut Trilobite replacement blades.
Lighter.
Trauma shears.
Triglides and D-rings.
Sharpies, Pilot Croquis automatic pencils and 6B fillings.
Wrist lanyard.
Mask defog.
DIN to Yoke adapter.
Lithium AA and CR2 batteries.
Replacement mask straps.
Bit of line.
Bit of bungee.
Regulator mouthpieces.
Another source of robust water tight cases at very competitive prices is Harbor Freight.
For my purposes I use a regulator bag 🎒 for my save a dive kit