EXTRA

MESH-CUTTERS

These get well away from the nice-to-own towards the glad-I've-got-one type of purchase. In each case they are a triumph of function over appearance, but the day you need one, you'll be glad it's stowed in your BC.
Mesh-cutters represent good value and the cheapest is the Buddy, which is also supplied as part of the spec of many BCs from AP Valves. The most expensive is by Scubapro, but then the manufacturer has added a degree of desirability to that of function.
Most use surgical steel blades, which are very sharp but rust at the first sight of a road-sign saying "Seaside". They use either a scalpel or Stanley-knife blade and you will need to replace that blade as and when needed.
Both the Oceanic (MGE) and Piranha are very robust-looking items. The Dive Rite Trauma Shears are simply lightweight scissors in a galvanised metal, rather like those found in some first-aid kits. Like most mesh-cutters, the Trauma Shears come with a pouch for installation in your BC, and to avoid any danger of puncturing it.