Dive reel

Dive reel‏‎

A dive reel is a piece of scuba diving equipment used by divers to control buoyancy and navigate underwater. It is typically made of a spool, line, and handle, and can be used in various diving situations such as cave diving, wreck diving, and search and recovery diving.

History

The dive reel was first introduced in the 1960s as a tool for cave divers to safely navigate their way back to the surface. It has since evolved into a versatile piece of equipment used in various types of diving.

Design and Function

A dive reel consists of a spool, line, and handle. The spool holds the line, which can be made of various materials such as nylon or polyester. The handle is used to control the release and retrieval of the line. Some dive reels also include a locking mechanism to prevent the line from unwinding unintentionally.

The primary function of a dive reel is to provide a guide line for divers to follow during their dive. This is particularly useful in situations where visibility is poor or the diver needs to navigate through complex underwater structures.

Types of Dive Reels

There are several types of dive reels, each designed for specific diving situations:

• Jump Reel: This is a small reel used for short jumps or gaps in the main line.
• Safety Reel: This reel is used for deploying a surface marker buoy (SMB) or for making a controlled ascent in open water.
• Primary Reel: This is a larger reel used for laying the main line in cave or wreck diving.

Safety Considerations

Proper use of a dive reel can greatly enhance a diver's safety. However, improper use can lead to entanglement or other hazards. Therefore, divers are advised to receive proper training and practice using a dive reel before attempting to use one in a diving situation.

See Also

• Scuba Diving
• Cave Diving
• Wreck Diving
• Surface Marker Buoy