When should a diver use a safety reel?

Using a safety reel is particularly important in complex or tight environments because it provides a means of marking a safe exit path. This is critical in cavern diving, where visibility can decrease and the risk of getting lost increases due to intricate passages. By deploying the safety reel, divers can create a guideline that can be followed back to the entrance, ensuring they can return safely even if they become disoriented.

In such environments, having a visual or tangible reference significantly enhances a diver's situational awareness and aids in maintaining orientation, thereby reducing anxiety and the likelihood of disorientation. The other situations outlined do not require the same level of safety equipment reliance; for instance, extended deep dives, diving at the beginning of every dive, or when part of a large group may not necessarily involve navigating through complex or tight passages where the risk of losing one's way is elevated.