A specialized category of flashlights are those designed specifically for divers. Naturally, they are waterproof, and they may be made from hard plastic or metal, just like the flashlights you have at home. A good dive flashlight will be rated to perform at depths of up to 500 feet.
Dive lights are used by scuba divers, deep sea divers and anyone who wants to see better underwater. Rescue workers who may have to dive into dark, muddy lakes are always equipped with a professional-grade dive light. Every diver, whether they are professionals or beginners, should consider using a dive flashlight for searching and exploring deep below the water's surface. Dive flashlights also provide a measure of safety by making your position easier to spot.
Diving deep below the surface of the water can be dangerous. Just as you want the best possible scuba gear, you also should seek out the best quality underwater flashlight. Construction should be such that it can withstand pressures and conditions at depths of 500 feet or more. They should be rugged and not susceptible to damage from dropping or banging against a hard object. An easy-to-operate, well-placed switch is important, and you also want something that will give off a bright enough beam of light to see what you need to see. A dive flashlight should enhance your dive experience, but it shouldn't be so large or cumbersome that it becomes a problem to haul around.
The right type of dive flashlight depends entirely on the type of dive situations you are likely to encounter. Professional divers and rescue workers need the strongest beams to best light up the water. Critical search-and-rescue missions, where lives may be at stake, require the best dive flashlights. A casual diver who only likes to go down 10 or 20 feet below the surface would likely only need a small penlight style dive light.
Get something light and easy to handle with enough power to see around ledges or in cracks. Remember that you always want something powerful enough to see what you need to see, but also not so bright that it disturbs what you are trying to watch.