Backup Dive Lights

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a backup dive light on every night dive?

Yes — a backup dive light is considered mandatory safety equipment for night diving by most dive training agencies, dive operators, and boat captains. A primary dive light that fails at 20 metres in the dark is a genuine emergency. Even a simple, low-cost backup clipped to a chest D-ring provides enough light to locate your buddy, signal for assistance, manage your equipment, and ascend safely to the surface. The backup light does not need to be powerful — 100 to 300 lumens is sufficient for emergency navigation. What matters is that it is instantly accessible, working, and with you on every night dive. Check it before every dive by switching it on briefly.

Where on my BCD should I clip my backup dive light?

The backup light should be accessible to either hand immediately without searching. A D-ring on the chest — within the golden triangle formed by your chin, navel, and chest sides — is the standard placement. Avoid clipping it to low D-rings near the waist where it is harder to reach, or behind your BCD where it cannot be found quickly. A simple bolt snap clips the backup to any D-ring and allows quick one-handed removal. Test the clip-and-unclip motion in the pool before relying on the placement underwater. Some divers use a short coil lanyard that allows the backup light to extend from the D-ring when needed and retract when not in use.

What should I look for when choosing a backup dive light?

Three things: it must be pressure-rated to your maximum dive depth, it should be compact enough to clip to a D-ring without creating a snag risk, and the switch should be operable with one gloved hand in the dark without looking at it. A twist-open switch (unscrew slightly to activate) is reliable and prevents accidental activation in your pocket. A button switch should be recessed enough to prevent accidental activation but prominent enough to locate easily by feel. Avoid backup lights with complex multi-mode interfaces that require sequential button presses — you want instant-on with no settings to navigate in an emergency situation.