Surface Signalling devices?

cedricverdier · 12th September 2006, 00:53

Hi all,

Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them?

Cheers

Joe · 12th September 2006, 02:54

I always have 2 bags and 2 reels. If I far am offshore where getting lost at sea is a very real possibility I take a personal epirb (ACR model plb 200) and small flares in a canister light or food tube type case and of course, I always have a canister light which can be used for signaling.

I chose these things because I have had the unpleasant experience of floating in a storm for several hours because the boat lost its steering mechanism and the captain was a total incompetant. Shame on me for being on his boat but I figure i was lucky that time so I won't ever leave anything to chance again.

Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)

Hi all,

Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them?

Cheers

Jason Ooi · 12th September 2006, 03:05

Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)

Hi all,

Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them?

Cheers

I always carry two SMBs red and yellow for emergency situation with two reels for open water dive.
Jason

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 12th September 2006, 04:06

I carry:

A raft inside of my Optima case (with survival water). Not only a great comfort but makes me a pretty large target if anyone is looking for me from above.
An EPIRB in a waterproof case (with protein bars).
A lift bag and an SMB.
Two flares in waterproof cases.
A signal mirror, LED lights that will last for days, and a Dive Alert signal horn.

mattmexico · 12th September 2006, 05:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)

Hi all,

Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them?

Cheers

yo Cedric

Good to hear that you are still with us, as I was never a drift more then 1 hour myself I have a friend who drifted for 6 hours some years ago ... at least 2 smb with their own reels, 1 mirror, at least 1 audio device either manual and 1 with compressed gas such as dive alert and if diving far off shore thinking of taking dye and flares, and have not, but know people who take a walky talky with channel 16 capability and or cel phone ... never terminate a dive less then 1 1/2 hours before sun down and if diving late at least 1 strobe and one backup light ... seems a little extensive but hey ....

Matt

Saludos
Matt

***Beanie*** · 12th September 2006, 08:21

3 SMBs two red / orange one yellow
1 flag
2 spools
2 reels

As much kit not black as possible
Orange fins
Yellow case
Orange hose covers

Dutchy · 12th September 2006, 09:20

SMB, Strobe and whistle...

***EBT*** · 12th September 2006, 09:26

Used to be 2 Orange DSMB's + 1 yellow. Nowadays its 1+1. A useful tip is to stick your HID in the bottom of the sausage when its inflated, makes for a very visible diver at night/dusk.

Apart from the usual array of backup torches etc, I also carry an EPIRB for any big offshore stuff.

I dont bother with a flag, since my SMB can fulfill that role (its quite wide).

Padowan · 12th September 2006, 09:52

2x Red SMB
1x Yellow SMB
Big Lift Bags
Yellow flag
EPIRB (Actually a PLB is a more accurate description, as it's a passive location decive, not a distress device)
Strobe
Torches
Have been very tempted to get one of these and put it inside my drysuit, so that I could extract it via my neck seal in a real emergency and chat to any rescuers on Ch16 (in the UK).

"Hello?! Hello?! Yeah, I'm OK. Turn on your damn PLB locator, and look for the flab and SMBs!"

Woz · 12th September 2006, 10:04

1 x red
1 x yellow
1 x reel
1 x spool
Flag with reflective tape
Sea Marshall PLB locator beacon
Yellow hood. Well it's a bit faded now- more green really.
Backup LED torch (70 hours out of that)

I have heard dye is not that effective, especially in anything apart from dead calm and flares are a one-shot wonder only good when they are getting close to pinpoint your position. And difficult to operate with cold hands.

View Poll Results: Which signalling devices do you carry with you?
One SMB	21	30.43%
Two SMBs (or more!)	47	68.12%
Flag	6	8.70%
Mirror	25	36.23%
Flares	8	11.59%
EPIRB/emergency beacon	10	14.49%
Other (please specify)	13	18.84%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll

12th September 2006, 00:53	#1 (permalink)
cedricverdier S21 M.I.B. Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Worldwide! Posts: 493	Surface Signalling devices? Hi all, Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them? Cheers __________________ Cedric Verdier PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer Trimix (CCR and OC) and Cave Diving Instructor Trainer www.CedricVerdier.com DIRrebreather member
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12th September 2006, 02:54	#2 (permalink)
Joe Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 243	Re: Surface Signalling devices? I always have 2 bags and 2 reels. If I far am offshore where getting lost at sea is a very real possibility I take a personal epirb (ACR model plb 200) and small flares in a canister light or food tube type case and of course, I always have a canister light which can be used for signaling. I chose these things because I have had the unpleasant experience of floating in a storm for several hours because the boat lost its steering mechanism and the captain was a total incompetant. Shame on me for being on his boat but I figure i was lucky that time so I won't ever leave anything to chance again. Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier) Hi all, Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them? Cheers Last edited by Joe : 12th September 2006 at 02:59.
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12th September 2006, 03:05	#3 (permalink)
Jason Ooi New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 93	Re: Surface Signalling devices? Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier) Hi all, Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them? Cheers I always carry two SMBs red and yellow for emergency situation with two reels for open water dive. Jason
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12th September 2006, 04:06	#4 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,989	Re: Surface Signalling devices? I carry: A raft inside of my Optima case (with survival water). Not only a great comfort but makes me a pretty large target if anyone is looking for me from above. An EPIRB in a waterproof case (with protein bars). A lift bag and an SMB. Two flares in waterproof cases. A signal mirror, LED lights that will last for days, and a Dive Alert signal horn. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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12th September 2006, 05:12	#5 (permalink)
mattmexico Rebreather World Writer Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima RB80 / Clone Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Prism Topaz Sport Kiss RB80 / Clone Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mexico, Q.Roo, Playa del Carmen Posts: 756	Re: Surface Signalling devices? Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier) Hi all, Just a quick poll to know what kind of safety equipment (signalling devices) you guys carry during open water dives (not very useful for cave dives indeed...) and how did you choose them? Cheers yo Cedric Good to hear that you are still with us, as I was never a drift more then 1 hour myself I have a friend who drifted for 6 hours some years ago ... at least 2 smb with their own reels, 1 mirror, at least 1 audio device either manual and 1 with compressed gas such as dive alert and if diving far off shore thinking of taking dye and flares, and have not, but know people who take a walky talky with channel 16 capability and or cel phone ... never terminate a dive less then 1 1/2 hours before sun down and if diving late at least 1 strobe and one backup light ... seems a little extensive but hey .... Matt Saludos Matt __________________ N 20' 37.617' W 87' 04.693' www.andreaswmatthes.com
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12th September 2006, 08:21	#6 (permalink)
*Beanie* Politeness officer Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,173	Re: Surface Signalling devices? 3 SMBs two red / orange one yellow 1 flag 2 spools 2 reels As much kit not black as possible Orange fins Yellow case Orange hose covers __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk www.divelife.co.uk
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12th September 2006, 09:20	#7 (permalink)
Dutchy SK#007 Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nieuwegein (The Netherlands) Posts: 705	Re: Surface Signalling devices? SMB, Strobe and whistle... __________________ = This post is environmentally friendly. It is composed of 100% recycled electrons only. = SK #007
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12th September 2006, 09:26	#8 (permalink)
*EBT* Apprentice Luddite Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK, Brighton Posts: 1,871	Re: Surface Signalling devices? Used to be 2 Orange DSMB's + 1 yellow. Nowadays its 1+1. A useful tip is to stick your HID in the bottom of the sausage when its inflated, makes for a very visible diver at night/dusk. Apart from the usual array of backup torches etc, I also carry an EPIRB for any big offshore stuff. I dont bother with a flag, since my SMB can fulfill that role (its quite wide). __________________ Eagles May Soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Rebreather World Terms of service Real diving t-shirts for real divers
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12th September 2006, 09:52	#9 (permalink)
Padowan Proper Boffin Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kent, UK. Posts: 515	Re: Surface Signalling devices? 2x Red SMB 1x Yellow SMB Big Lift Bags Yellow flag EPIRB (Actually a PLB is a more accurate description, as it's a passive location decive, not a distress device) Strobe Torches Have been very tempted to get one of these and put it inside my drysuit, so that I could extract it via my neck seal in a real emergency and chat to any rescuers on Ch16 (in the UK). "Hello?! Hello?! Yeah, I'm OK. Turn on your damn PLB locator, and look for the flab and SMBs!" __________________ Padowan The future's bright, the future's Yellow .....for now padowan.net - Latest Video: Scapa Flow Rebreather Diving
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12th September 2006, 10:04	#10 (permalink)
Woz Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 185	Re: Surface Signalling devices? 1 x red 1 x yellow 1 x reel 1 x spool Flag with reflective tape Sea Marshall PLB locator beacon Yellow hood. Well it's a bit faded now- more green really. Backup LED torch (70 hours out of that) I have heard dye is not that effective, especially in anything apart from dead calm and flares are a one-shot wonder only good when they are getting close to pinpoint your position. And difficult to operate with cold hands. __________________ Still punting shiny diving tatt to gullible divers www.kitfondle.co.uk
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