One of the biggest beginner sins in diving is having your gear hanging off and around the reef, knocking over corals and tickling your fellow divers from above. Streamlining is easier than you may think, and it has a host of benefits including increased efficiency (i.e. more breathing time), an easier time to get to your gear, and less chance of entanglement. Here’s a few tools to help!

1. Octo Keepers. Easily one of the cheapest and simplest dive accessories around, these little rubber keepers allow you to make a bite in your hoses and tuck them to the side for safe keeping. Unless it gets snagged on something, these are quick and easy ways to keep your hoses in check.

2. Octo Necklaces. Just like a rubber keeper, necklaces keep your octo even closer to your mouth in case of emergencies. Some divers swear by them, others think they get in the way.

3. Retractors. A bit more expensive, but an excellent way of keeping gauges and cameras close to your body when you need them, and easy to pull away. They’re available in multiple cord lengths and strengths, too!

4. Gates, Clips, and Carabiners. This one boils down to personal preference, but you will never find a brass or steel clip configuration that won’t please. These can be chain linked together and allow you to make very customized configurations for whatever you may need!