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Safety Retractor, Clips, and Reels
Some of the important safety items used by scuba divers are small, versatile, and inexpensive. But, many of them provide different ways for securing your gear.
This guide lists an assortment of scuba retractors, dive clips, reels, spools, and various other attachments used for enhancing safe diving practices.
Dive Clips Keep the Gear in its Proper Place
A range of clips and snap hooks help divers stay streamlined and keep the gear from dangling, such as:
- BCD fin holder, mask keeper, octopus retainer, compass retractor
- Double ended bolt snap hook (e.g. for tech diving)
- Flag clips for flag pole rope (e.g. towing a flag and float)
- Lanyard snappy coil with quick release buckle
- Retractable gear tethers with auto rebound
- Stainless steel spring snap hook diving carabiner
Pro Tip: Another section explains what goes in a save a dive kit to help keep you geared up and dive ready - even if a gear malfunction strikes.
Scuba Diving Retractor
Most divers use some kind of equipment connector to secure valuable items, such as a gauge console, dive lights, and underwater cameras.
In other words, a diving retractor is one of the scuba diving accessory devices that helps to stop you losing your gear.
Other scuba diving retractors that keep accessories close to your body, include:
- Auto lock retractor
- Console retractor
- Micro, mini, HD mini, hose mount retractor
- Flashlight or camera locking retractor
- Coil lanyard with plastic clip or split ring
- Coil lanyard with stainless steel clip or split ring
- Coil lanyard with stainless steel clip both ends
The SCUBAPRO premium retractor has an extractable cord that extends 1.1 metres (3.6 feet). It has a pull force of 0.5 kilograms (1 pound) and it's a must-have accessory if you enjoy technical diving.
Multifunctional Reels
Divers use a reel for navigating underwater, launching a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (dSMB), in cave and cavern diving, and for wreck penetration.
This kind of versatile accessory provides extra assurance that you'll make a safe return to the entry point. Some of the special features of scuba diving reels include:
- High-resistance anodized alloy frame and nylon fibreglass handle (e.g. robust but light to carry).
- Folding knob and a balanced handle position in the axis of the spool reduces line entanglement and drag.
- Quick-adjustment system and friction adjuster to help prevent free reeling.
- Some wreck reels contain up to seventy five (75) metres of two 2 millimetre diameter polyester lines (with one swivel hook).
Mares XR Finger Spool Review
The rubber coating on the edges makes this finger reel an ideal scuba dive kit accessory, especially for new divers who are looking for a comfortable grip.
Mares XR Finger Spools are made with marine grade 316 stainless steel and the bright yellow line is fifteen (15) metres long.
Unique Features and Specifications
- Rubber coated edges
- Versatile use for a range of diving applications
- Easier winding from the flared design
- High quality and highly visible Edelrid™ Rap Line
- Double-ended stainless steel clip
Note: The large diameter in the centre hole makes it easier to use, such as when wearing thick neoprene gloves (e.g. while diving in cold water).
Related Information and Help Guides
- Audible and Visual Emergency Signaling Devices for Divers
- CPR Barrier Devices Used in Scuba Diving and EFR
- Save a Dive Kit Contents and Dive Gear Checklist
- Scuba PLB: What's the Best Personal Locator Beacon?
- Underwater Navigation Tips: Importance of Compass in Diving
Pro Tip: The short video [2:59 seconds] presented by 'SCUBA AMY' explains how to use a finger reel and exhalations to safely deploy a surface marker buoy (SMB).