Error Five Drifters Rescued - Hawaii Kai

[Scuba_Spike]

I own a full size Garmin inReach+, since there's no easy way to dive w/ it (would need a huge canister) and is not buoyant, we're 99% sure we're getting the ResQLink (dryfob for that will be here tomorrow)


Has anyone acutely activated a PLB/personal epirb on the water and how was the response and/or what brand?
I know Garmin have a proven track record on land, but we've also experienced significant delays or errors simply sending messages (no SOS) while in the mountains (clear sky, no obstructions), but would guess that's the general expectation for talking through satellites.


And I know certain countries limit/restrict satellite communication, so we're also trying to keep that in mind so we don't run into an issue traveling abroad

 

[xan]

And I know certain countries limit/restrict satellite communication, so we're also trying to keep that in mind so we don't run into an issue traveling abroad

Garmin's list of such country restrictions is a good reference.

 

[justinthedeeps]

Most locals do not consider it the windward side until you get past Makapuu heading to the north shore from Hawaii Kai.

I wonder if this kind of thinking is what got these folks into trouble

Most of the Kaiwi Channel events (swim, paddle sports) all have individual escort boats. Easier to keep track of canoe kayak than a diver.

Capt. Kimo in Hilo makes the guide tow a surface buoy during the whole dive, every dive. Swimmers and spearos who are doing it right also trail a float at all times. I think this incident shows that delayed SMBs aren't enough out there.

 

[LFMarm]

Garmin InReach mini dive case is rated to 100m/330ft while being light and compact.

 

[Redleg0811]

I also carry a Garmin InReach Mini with dive case. It is also handy in the mountains to send text messages to my wife saying I am ok.

 

[Matthias Hoeller]

Here is some first hand video of the scene apparently:

 

[Scuba_Spike]

Here is some first hand video of the scene apparently:

Yep, that's the sailboat captain & family who stopped to give assistance & call the coast guard

 

[myshadeofred]

Folks really need to start diving with some kind of PLB. So many divers have no problem spending over $1,000 for a dive computer or thousands on a dive vacation, but they don’t want to spend a few hundred bucks on a Garmin In Reach Mini, or similar.

Another thing I wonder is why didn’t any of them have a whistle or a signal mirror? If they did carry these items it doesn’t appear they used them because the people on the sail boat only mentioned they heard someone yelling.

You can’t only rely on your dive operator for your safety. The more signaling devices you have the better.

I know this is delayed but I live and have dove with this company. A whistle would not have worked. The one thing that helped them was they had SMBs the company is still going strong

 

[Snoweman]

I know this is delayed but I live and have dove with this company. A whistle would not have worked. The one thing that helped them was they had SMBs the company is still going strong

Have you used a Storm Whistle? I used mind once in Coz and had five boats on top of me in no time. The DM asked me to blow it because all the boats were far away.

https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/storm-whistle-101-all-weather-orange-safety-whistle/

 

[tridacna]

Have you used a Storm Whistle? I used mind once in Coz and had five boats on top of me in no time. The DM asked me to blow it because all the boats were far away.

https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/storm-whistle-101-all-weather-orange-safety-whistle/

I suspect that @Wookie may not share the same faith in whistles that you do.