When I was a marine biologist() sometimes I’d organise sampling expeditions. Once when I was going through my equipment checklist, my partner for the trip questioned my inclusion of white(*) insulation tape and cable ties.

“What are you planning to use those for?”

“Nothing. They’re just really handy if something goes wrong or there’s a change of plan.

“What change of plan? We have labels and spares..”

He couldn’t understand why I’d take the tape and ties. I still can’t understand why you’d go sampling without them.

* more Tubificidae than dolphins. Glamorous, not!

** you can write on white tape with an indelible pen.