Reddit mentions: The best diving safety gear

FWB is great!

Assuming you mean the Okaloosa or Destin beaches that are actually on the gulf, you will have plenty of sandbars, which help form rip currents. You'll probably be able to see the sandbars from your condo, assuming you're not on the bottom floor. The rips typically form in the gaps between the sandbars.

The 'bad' news, I suppose, is that Fort Walton has smaller tides than Panama City (the location in the article) - typically just 8" or so, compared to almost 30" in Panama City. This means weaker rips.

A few tips for your trip:

1. If you intend to go snorkeling, pick up a dive flag like this one or this one. The beach guard is really picky about you using these. Call Scuba Tech before you go to check what the beach/pier visibility has been - it can be pretty soupy off the beach if the surf is up.
   
2. Skip the "Gulfarium". It's a non-AZA accredited, underwhelming little display for too much money. Snorkel the Destin jetty, fish off Okaloosa Pier, or watch for porpoises from your balcony with binoculars if you want to see wildlife. Or stop in Atlanta on your drive back up at their aquarium, it's miles better.
   
3. Do visit the Naval Aviation Museum and watch the Blue Angels if their practice schedule lines up with your trip. It looks like the 18th is your day - I usually go in April when they're more frequently at home base, looks like they're traveling a lot this month.
   
4. If you have large waves and wind, rent a soft-top surfboard from Fluid Surf Shop, or fly a kite. If you have low waves, go snorkeling or fishing. If in between, walk the beach or golf.

To my knowledge, strobes are only required during night dives where a flashing light would be an easy locator of divers. They are pretty cheap if you get a simple one where you attach it to your tank valve before your dive, and once in the water is activates automatically. ( https://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Water-Activated-Flashing-Marker/dp/B00LLV2UVY/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525806982&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=strobe+light+scuba+water+activated ) something like that should suffice. Hope this helps =)

Ah, a spoon, love the low tech approach!
I have seen people spend $50 on a "shaker", basically a metal tube with a couple of metal balls in it...
Like this:
Mares Magnetic Shaker Scuba Diving Communication Device https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZDP7PI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MlpjzbGRSGQMH

You could get him a surface marker and a finger reel to deploy it on.

It's a good present for anyone you don't want to get hit by a boat. Just make sure he practices some with it first. They take a few times to get the hang of.

Here is a video of a diver deploying one to give you a bit of context.

Yeah I would definitely keep one of those mini emergency oxygen tanks in my desk.

EDIT: Like this.

Trail a safety sausage when you snorkel (by yourself or with others)


https://www.amazon.com/Scuba-Choice-Diving-Surface-Plastic/dp/B00IKSYTB0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=56349206139&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrfvsBRD7ARIsAKuDvMMFOYYzywSEQfrY7QCUlFJtbGJ6A5CD4M-SV3DFpZBzNe55OEJtaPsaAo7OEALw_wcB&hvadid=274715274710&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9002754&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=297270353171234304&hvtargid=kwd-300402793102&hydadcr=9851_9534053&keywords=scuba+safety+sausage&qid=1570716250&sr=8-3

It's a scuba diving ball float. Box is accessories, maybe flippers and other scuba gear. You're surprising your wife with scuba diving

http://www.amazon.com/Scuba-Diver-Diving-Float-Holder/dp/B000UTK9VG

This looks like mine - $20.

https://www.amazon.com/DGX-Safety-Sausage-Orange/dp/B01G4262MW/ref=sr_1_8?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1537999161&sr=1-8&keywords=scuba+safety+sausage

A flasher like this which just starts blinking once you're in the water.

Shaker: https://www.amazon.com/Mares-Magnetic-Shaker-Diving-Communication/dp/B002ZDP7PI

Octo holder: https://www.divers-supply.com/scubapro-magnetic-octo-holder-tank.html

Go outside the box. Get an Alpha Diver Flag.

http://www.amazon.com/Universial-Scuba-Diving-Divers-International/dp/B0046N5D5E

Probably too cheap as this one runs $280.

https://www.amazon.com/Spare-Air-Emergency-Supply-Diving/dp/B0062CXGTW

I'm not sure the exact brand of that one, but it appears to be a bang stick powerhead, similar tothis one.

> Aren’t many people going to be thrashing about if they’re drowning?

No, drowning doesn't look like drowning. It's normally not thrashing and screaming, but silent and mostly below-water.

Anyways actual lifeguards have little floaters they can give to people (pic, amazon link). This lets the drowning person grab on to something without endangering the lifeguard.