Dive reels are an essential piece of scuba gear that every diver should have in their equipment bag.
These simple devices can make your diving experience safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at dive reels, how they work, and why they’re so important.
We’ll also cover some tips for using dive reels, as well as some potential hazards to watch out for.
What are Dive Reels?
At its most basic, a dive reel is a spool of line that is used to mark your route underwater.
The line is typically made of nylon or other synthetic material, and is attached to a spool that you can reel in and out as you move through the water.
Some dive reels also have a handle or crank that makes it easier to wind up the line.
Dive reels come in a variety of sizes and styles, from small handheld models that can fit in your pocket to large reels that can hold hundreds of feet of line.
Some reels even have specialized features like lights or compasses that can help you navigate underwater.
Why are Dive Reels Important?
One of the primary reasons that dive reels are so important is that they can help you find your way back to your starting point.
When you’re diving, it’s easy to get disoriented, especially if you’re in a dark or murky environment.
By laying out a line as you move, you can always find your way back to where you started.
This can be especially helpful if you’re diving in a cave or wreck, where it’s easy to get turned around.
Another reason that dive reels are important is that they can help you conserve your air supply.
When you’re exploring a new area underwater, it’s natural to want to see as much as possible.
However, if you’re constantly swimming in circles or retracing your steps, you’ll quickly use up your air.
By using a dive reel to mark your path, you can move through the water more efficiently, which will help you conserve your air supply.
Tips for Using Dive Reels
Using a dive reel is relatively simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips for using dive reels effectively:
Practice before you dive:
Before you take your dive reel underwater, take some time to practice with it on land. This will help you get a feel for how the reel works, and will make it easier to use underwater.
Don’t let go of the line:
When you’re laying out a line, it’s important to make sure that you always have a firm grip on it.
If you let go of the line, it can quickly become tangled or snagged on something, which can make it difficult to reel back in.
Use the right amount of line:
When you’re using a dive reel, it’s important to use the right amount of line for your dive.
If you use too little line, you may not be able to find your way back to your starting point. If you use too much line, you’ll waste time and air reeling it back in.
Potential Hazards
While dive reels can be a great tool for underwater exploration, there are some potential hazards to watch out for.
One of the biggest risks associated with dive reels is decompression diving.
If you’re diving at depths greater than 30 meters (100 feet), you’ll need to use decompression stops to avoid the bends.
If you’re using a dive reel to mark your path, it’s important to make sure that you don’t exceed your decompression limits.
Another potential hazard associated with dive reels is barotrauma.
Barotrauma is a condition that occurs when the air spaces in your body (ears, sinuses, and lungs) are unable to equalize the pressure changes that occur during a dive.
If you’re using a dive reel to explore a deep or complex environment, you may be tempted to descend quickly or ascend too rapidly.
This can increase the risk of barotrauma, which can be serious or even life-threatening.
To minimize the risk of barotrauma, it’s important to descend and ascend slowly, and to equalize your ears and sinuses frequently.
You should also be aware of your depth and time limits, and avoid diving beyond your skill level or experience.
Dive Reels and the Economy
Dive reels are not only useful for recreational and technical diving but they also play an important role in the commercial diving industry.
Professional divers use dive reels to lay out underwater pipelines, to search for lost equipment, and to explore oil rigs and shipwrecks.
Without dive reels, these tasks would be much more difficult and time-consuming, which could impact the profitability of the industry.
Moreover, the manufacture and sale of dive reels also contribute to the economy.
Many dive gear manufacturers produce high-quality reels that are sold to divers and dive shops worldwide.
This generates revenue for both the manufacturers and the local economies in which they operate.
Dive Reels and Research
Dive reels are also used by scientists and researchers who study marine life and ecosystems.
These researchers use dive reels to lay out transect lines, which allow them to collect data on the distribution and abundance of marine life.
Dive reels are also used to deploy and retrieve underwater equipment, such as cameras and sensors, which help researchers gather important data on the ocean environment.
By using dive reels, researchers can explore and study the underwater world in a safe and efficient manner.
This has led to important discoveries and a greater understanding of the marine environment, which can inform policies and management decisions aimed at protecting marine ecosystems.
Dive Reels and Maritime Law
Dive reels can also play a role in maritime law.
In some cases, divers may need to use a reel to mark the location of a sunken vessel or underwater hazard.
This can be important information for maritime authorities who are responsible for managing and protecting navigational safety.
Dive reels can also be used to mark the location of valuable cargo or other assets that may have been lost at sea.
Moreover, dive reels can be used in salvage operations.
Salvage companies may use dive reels to lay out guide lines for divers who are tasked with locating and recovering lost or damaged vessels.
These reels can help ensure that the divers are able to navigate safely and efficiently in challenging underwater environments.
Dive Reels and the Military
Dive reels also have applications in the military.
Special operations units, such as Navy SEALs, use dive reels to navigate and explore underwater environments.
These units may use dive reels to mark the location of enemy vessels or underwater hazards, or to lay out guide lines for other divers.
Dive reels can also be used in search and rescue operations.
For example, if a military aircraft or vessel goes down at sea, divers may use dive reels to mark the location of the wreckage or to guide rescue teams to the site.
In addition, dive reels can be used in mine clearance operations.
Military divers may use dive reels to lay out guide lines or to mark the location of mines or other explosive devices in the water.
Deep Sea Trenches
Deep sea trenches are among the most extreme environments on Earth, with depths that can exceed 10,000 meters.
These trenches are home to a variety of unique and fascinating species, many of which have adapted to survive in the extreme pressure and darkness of the deep ocean.
Dive reels can play an important role in exploring these environments.
By laying out guide lines and marking the location of equipment, divers can safely navigate and explore the depths of the trench.
However, diving in deep sea trenches is a highly specialized and dangerous activity that requires extensive training and specialized equipment.
In addition to the extreme pressure and darkness, divers must also contend with the risk of decompression sickness, barotrauma, and other hazards.
Jack Up Rigs
Jack up rigs are a type of offshore oil platform that can be moved from one location to another.
These platforms are used to drill for oil and gas in shallow water, typically up to 100 meters deep.
They are anchored to the ocean floor using hydraulic jacks, which can be raised or lowered to adjust the height of the platform.
Dive reels are often used in the maintenance and repair of jack up rigs.
Divers may use reels to lay out guide lines or to mark the location of equipment that needs to be repaired or replaced.
Dive reels can also be used to retrieve lost equipment, such as tools or spare parts that may have fallen into the water.
However, diving around jack up rigs can be hazardous.
The moving parts and machinery of the rig can pose a risk to divers, and the water around the rig can be contaminated with oil and other chemicals.
Divers working around jack up rigs must be highly trained and take appropriate safety precautions to minimize the risk of injury or exposure to hazardous materials.
Wrapping Up: Dive Reels
Dive reels are an essential tool for any diver, whether they are exploring a deep sea trench or maintaining an offshore oil platform.
These versatile devices can be used to mark the location of equipment, lay out guide lines, and retrieve lost gear, among other uses.
However, diving in these environments can be hazardous, and divers must be highly trained and take appropriate safety precautions to minimize the risk of injury or illness.
By using dive reels responsibly and in accordance with best practices and safety guidelines, divers can explore and work in these challenging environments in a safe and effective manner.
So, whether you’re a recreational diver, a commercial diver, or a member of the military, a dive reel is an important tool to have in your gear bag.
