Buddy Pair Panic Buttons - Good Idea Or Stupid Gadget?

[dberry]

In theory we're never more than a short distance away from our buddy underwater, and are always checking visually, but in practice things can be different. I stumbled on this link about an engineering student / diver who had a malfunction at 85ft with a "same ocean" buddy. He survived, but as part of a engineering design competition he created matched panic button bracelets for buddy pairs. Hit your button and your buddies bracelet buzzes and vibrates as an alert you may need assistance.

Diver ‘panic bracelet’ wins startup prize

While it won't replace good buddy training (and staying reasonably close), it seems to me it's better than beating on your tank with a flashlight to make your buddy look up from his camera. Whatdya think?
(well, besides thinking you wish you thought of it first

 

[TMHeimer]

I can't see a down side, though someone probably will. Beats the heck out of a useless "tank banger" that you can't hear with a hood on.

 

[Patoux01]

Beats the heck out of a useless "tank banger"

Of course, but anything beats that. Sounds fun and all, but doesn't seem of any use to me... Not gonna be on my wrist anyway.

 

[eelnoraa]

Nice idea but implementation will be a lot more difficult or expansive. Keep in mind, RF transmit very poorly in water. A simple/small RF transmitter/receiver works great on land, but unlikely to work well in water.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Use proper buddy procedures and you don't need gimmicks like this. If your buddy is a photographer it's a great time to work on YOUR buddy skills. Stay close and if you really need them touch their arm, back, leg, etc. If they get mad because you did this they are not a very good buddy.

 

[lermontov]

Its a communication aid -doesnt have to be for emergency for a prearranged signal system, one buzz = I've lost you Ill meet at the mooring line etc 2 buzz I'm heading up meet you at surface- if it helps than why not . I could see benefits for training if it had some sort of electric shock - ZAP! no you did that wrong try again!

 

[gypsyjim]

I could see benefits for training if it had some sort of electric shock - ZAP! no you did that wrong try again!

:spit:

Not that it would work in water, but...

 

[Reku]

When I am buddy diving I:

Good viz (15'+): just stay near enough to be seen in peripheral vision or arm length + 50%.
Low viz (<10'): close enough to touch an ankle/fin or shoulder.
Zero viz (silt out / black water): we are one! we maintain touch contact at ALL TIMES.

Any farther apart and this needs to be discussed top side before the dive during the planning stage.

Honestly the buzzing would make my anxiety skyrocket in zero viz if it meant "help me I can't find you". Time to start the lost buddy search protocol...

I can do without another "technology solution to a skills based problem" "technology product looking for a solution".

I'd rather just have a set of contact protocols that are followed depending on the water conditions.

YMMV

EDIT: Trying to clarify what I mean. I mean useless technology that is more of a burden than a boon (I.E like those air2 combo inflation things). This buzzing thing serves no purpose other than to make up for a lack of proper communication procedures. Said procedures can be learned quite easily without the help of the buzzer.

 

[Stoo]

I have seen countless ideas over the years that were just patently stupid. I have no idea about the technical issues involved with this, but kinda cool.

I suppose that in reality it doesn't need much range. I mean if you're buddy is 65' away, by the time s/he gets there, you're pooched anyway. My bog concern that in a true (and mercifully rare) OOA emergency, is that the gasless diver could use up valuable time waiting for a distant buddy to arrive... time that could potentially be used for a hasty ascent.

As easy as it is to say "best practices" such as buddy proximity and the use of redundant gas supplies, I suspect that this might sell well. Assuming the price is reasonable, it would appeal to the "I have money, but little experience" crowd.

 

[Stoo]

I can do without another "technology solution to a skills based problem".

There is that, but you can say that about lots of cool things in diving... power inflators, dive computers, etc.