Dive Light

Bahamas diving trips are a great way to stay active and enjoy a great hobby all at the same time. They're also a great way to spend those hard-earned vacation days. Still, the ocean can be an unforgiving place for anyone foolish enough to dive beneath the waves without proper training and equipment. One of the most useful pieces of kit a diver can have is a dive light. Read on to learn why.

WHAT'S A DIVE LIGHT, ANYWAY?

Dive lights are just what they sound like - specialized equipment designed to provide illumination to divers during specialized SCUBA outings (dives at night, wreck and cavern exploration, and so forth). Though specialized dive environments require specialized training in the interest of safety, dive lights can also be used in the daytime and in tamer areas which are friendly to even novice divers, like the shallow reef systems common on Bahamas diving trips. Alternate names / designations for dive lights include "dive torch", "HID", and "underwater flashlight".

DIVE LIGHTS: STYLES + CONFIGURATIONS

Dive lights come in various forms and styles, each suited to a specific task or diver preference. They can, however, be separated into two broad categories, namely canisters and flashlights. Canister lights are specifically designed for use at night and in the exploration of caves, wrecks, and other extreme dive sites. Power is delivered by batteries carried in a canister on the diver's waist, hence the name.

Flashlights, by contrast, are more multi-purpose. They range in size and power from penlight style tools to large, bright ones akin to lanterns. This means that these sorts of dive lights can be used just about anywhere a diver might want a little extra scrutiny. People on a Bahamas dive adventure will find flashlights particularly useful for night dives, use as back-up lights, and as a source of added illumination when getting that extra peek into the nooks and crannies of an interesting coral reef.

DIVE LIGHTS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING

The right dive light is often a matter of budget and personal preference. Still, it's important to pick quality equipment in situations such as this, which is why all decent dive lights will be both pressure-resistant and watertight up to their depth rating. They'll also be highly durable and able to withstand routine use, even in the technologically hazardous ocean. Beyond these "must-haves", features like specific bulb types, size, whether or not the light(s) purchased is/are rechargeable or disposable units, battery capacity, and so forth are often left to the sensibilities and requirements of the diver.

CONCLUSION

With all the variety out there, choosing a dive light can seem daunting, especially for the novice. However, this guide should help clarify things nicely. In the end, trust a dive shop for help and advice, and always treat dive equipment, including dive lights, as an investment, and buy the best that your budget will allow.