YYST Stainless Steel Scuba Lanyard

The YYST stainless steel coiled lanyard is a cheap insurance policy against dropping your torch or camera into the blue — and at $28, it is hard to argue with the peace of mind.

Every diver has a horror story about watching a piece of gear sink into the abyss. Torches, cameras, even SPGs have a way of slipping out of cold fingers at the worst possible moment. A good lanyard keeps your valuables tethered to you, and the YYST coiled lanyard aims to do exactly that at a budget price point. It uses a stainless steel coiled cable with a quick-release buckle on one end and a standard clip on the other, giving you a simple, corrosion-resistant tether for just about any accessory you want to keep close.

## Overview

The YYST lanyard is built around a coiled stainless steel cable that extends to a reasonable working length and retracts when you are not actively using the attached accessory. One end features a quick-release buckle for attaching to your BCD or harness, and the other has a clip for connecting to your torch, camera housing, or pointer stick. The stainless steel construction is the main selling point — it resists corrosion far better than the plastic-coated wire lanyards that come bundled with many budget torches.

## Key Features

- Coiled stainless steel cable construction - Quick-release buckle for BCD or harness attachment - Standard clip end for accessories - Self-retracting coil design - Compatible with torches, cameras, pointers, and other dive accessories - Compact when retracted, extends to usable working length

## The Good

- The stainless steel cable is genuinely corrosion-resistant. After months of regular saltwater use along the NSW coast, including some fairly neglectful post-dive rinse routines, the cable showed no sign of rust or degradation. That is a meaningful advantage over cheaper plastic-coated alternatives that start fraying after a few dozen dives. - The coiled design keeps things tidy. When you are not actively using your torch, the lanyard retracts and stays out of your way. No loose loops to snag on anything, no excess cord floating around your rig. - The quick-release buckle works smoothly. Clipping onto and off your BCD D-ring is a one-handed operation, which matters when you are trying to sort your gear on a rocking boat at Julian Rocks. - At $28, it is significantly cheaper than branded dive lanyards from the major manufacturers. The build quality does not feel $28 — it punches well above its price. - Versatile enough for multiple uses. We tested it with a primary torch, a compact camera housing, and a reef hook, and it handled all three without issue. - The extension length is adequate for normal use. You can comfortably hold and aim a torch while the lanyard stays connected, without feeling like it is pulling against you.

## The Bad

- The coil tension is fairly stiff when new. For the first few dives, the retraction pulls noticeably on whatever you have attached. It loosens up with use, but initially it can be mildly annoying when you are trying to hold a torch steady for macro photography. - The accessory-end clip is functional but basic. It is a standard gate clip rather than a heavy-duty snap bolt. For lightweight items like a pointer stick it is fine, but for a heavy torch or camera housing, a beefier clip would inspire more confidence. - The extended length is limited. If you like to pass your torch to a buddy or reach out to illuminate something at arm's length, you will occasionally feel the tug of the coil reaching its limit. - Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, not corrosion-proof. If you dive in tropical salt water and never rinse your gear, even stainless will eventually show wear. Basic post-dive care is still necessary. - The quick-release buckle, while functional, is a proprietary design. If it breaks, you cannot easily swap in a standard replacement — you would need to replace the whole lanyard.

## Verdict

The YYST stainless steel lanyard is a smart, affordable accessory that solves a simple problem well. It keeps your torch, camera, or pointer tethered securely, retracts neatly when not in use, and resists corrosion better than most budget lanyards on the market. The coil tension loosens with use and the end clip could be sturdier, but at $28 these are minor gripes. If you are tired of zip-tying cheap lanyards to your rig every few months, this stainless steel option is a worthwhile step up.

**Rating: 4.0 / 5 stars**