Light falls off so quickly below the water’s surface that you’ll need to carry at least two light sources with you on any dive. The power of a dive light is measured in lumens, so as you shop, pay attention to lumen measurements to ensure your light will be bright enough for your needs.
Common Types of Dive Lights
While many scuba diving lights are similar to regular flashlights in style and function, some have very specialized uses. Depending on the kind of diving you enjoy, you may want to carry several different types of dive lights.
Primary Lights
Your primary light is your main flashlight for diving. These lights are usually designed for handheld use and can feature several different brightness levels, multiple beam sizes, and safety features like strobing mode and laser beam.
Back Up Lights
Your backup light is often a smaller or weaker light, kept tucked away in a vest pocket when not in use. Backup lights come in handy if you run out of battery in your primary light or if you accidentally drop them while diving.
Emergency Lights
While primary dive lights are meant for illuminating your surroundings, emergency lights can help others locate you or call attention to yourself. These lights can be red, green, or blue depending on your preferences and dive location. They also operate continuously for long periods of time without losing power.
Marker Lights
Marker lights come in several different shapes, sizes, and styles. These safety lights help you mark your path in overhead locations like caves and shipwrecks. They can also come in handy as a way to point out obstacles for your dive partners.
Video Lights
Video lights illuminate your immediate surroundings for photography and videography purposes. These lights are quite bright, letting you capture high-quality footage underwater. Most video lights mount directly to your camera.
Dive Light Grip Styles
Common dive light grips include traditional handheld, Goodman grip, pistol grip, lantern, and clip-on. Choosing a grip usually depends on whether you need to keep your hands free as well as your preferred swimming style.
Top Brands for Dive Lights
Leading brands like Bigblue, Light & Motion, Orchatorch, XS Scuba, and Underwater Kinetics offer scuba divers a wide range of pro-grade diving lights for any environment and type of diving. No matter what grip, style, and functions you prefer, a diving light is a crucial part of your kit that can keep you safer as you explore the depths of the ocean.
