Types of Dive Lights

Dive lights, or torches, are an essential piece of divers' equipment. They not only illuminate the water but also can be used to catch your dive buddy's attention underwater and to signal dive boats while on the surface. Specialty courses such as night, cave, wreck and technical diving require the use of primary and backup lights for safety. Different lighting systems, sizes and configurations are available, but all dive lights are designed to be water-resistant, pressure-resistant and durable, making these instruments versatile for underwater and topside use.

  1. Significance

    • Dive lights improve vision underwater. As you descend in depth, the colors of light do not get absorbed, so marine life appears gray in color. Illumination of the area allows divers to identify the location, marine ecosystem and submerged objects. They crucial for night dives, exploring wrecks and cave or cavern diving. Dive lights vary in intensity and size and are water-tight, allowing safe and reliable use at depth. Divers secure their equipment with cords and clips or lanyards, to maintain access and a streamlined profile.

    Function

    • Dive lights illuminate the marine environment, allowing you to better identify the organisms and to enjoy your dive. Dive lights illuminate crevices, structures and murkier water for improved visibility. Many SCUBA divers carry at least one dive light to serve as a signaling device, both underwater and on the surface, to catch the attention of other divers and dive boats regarding their location. Dive lights can be secured to the BCD or attached to a diver's wrist with a lanyard or stowed in a pocket for access.

    Types

    • Three types of dive lights are commercially available: conventional, high intensity and LED. All dive lights are powered by batteries or battery packs and most are available in varying sizes, depending on your needs (general or specific, lantern, canister or clipped). Conventional lights have a xenon or halogen light source. High intensity torches emit a brighter, bluish light. LED dive lights can have multiple bulbs that determine their intensity.

    Conventional Torches

    • Conventional torches emit a whiter light than the other types. These lights burn hotter and use up the batteries quickly. Many conventional torches are compact, for specialty uses such as markers or as backup lights that are not powered for long periods of time. They can use conventional or rechargeable batteries and should be checked for proper functioning before each dive.

    High Intensity Lights

    • High intensity dive lights emit a brighter, bluish light and require a brief start-up time to reach full intensity. They often have two settings, low and full intensity, to conserve the battery. Unfortunately, the filaments in these bulbs are more sensitive to impact. As with all dive torches, these types of lights can be powered by conventional or rechargeable battery packs. The bulbs, however, are not widely available, so spare components should be included in the save-a-dive kit. High intensity torches are useful as primary lights, especially during night dives.

    LED Torches

    • LED lights emit a bluish light underwater and can contain multiple bulbs, which will determine the light's intensity and size. They use less energy and are more durable against impact than the other types. The size of the dive light can determine its use: compact for backup use (with one bulb) or multiple bulbs as a larger, primary torch. Replacement bulbs are widely available.