Solo skills to practice?

[aquacat8]

Thanks for the offer! I have a really big SMB that I clip on for boat diving, and I really don’t have any pocket space, so I think I’m good with that my SMB and dive flag for my shallow shore dives. It is a really cool idea though!

 

[aquacat8]

A way to call for help would be nice though... I could be floating out there with a giant raft shaped like a rubber ducky with a “help me” bubble and I don’t think anyone in Florida would pay any attention.

 

[aquacat8]

@Johnoly are you a gulf coast diver?

 

[Johnoly]

@Johnoly are you a gulf coast diver?

I'm from Orlando and my home port is Jupiter Florida, but I dive the gulf coast a couple of times a year. I'm waiting for Pat Green's dive shop to be moved to it's new location in Panama City Beach to head up his way and start a harvest of lionfish.

 

[aquacat8]

I tried to dive near Venice last year but the red tide stopped me!

 

[MichaelMc]

But even something so simple and cheap as a 55 gallon yellow trash bag stashed in a pocket. You can blow it up and tie closed with a string while also attached to a D-ring is extremely effective at being seen 5 - 10 miles away and at night with a light glowing inside.
View attachment 499123

. I have a couple of extra sealed bags. If you want one, PM me a mailing address (work,home,po box,etc) and I'll send it to you free. If it adds just one additional layer of safety, & confidence it's worth it to bring on dives.

Johnoly sent me one of the yellow trash bag distress bags that he had made up. It's now in my butt pouch with my DSMB. Seems easy to make if you have a vacuum seal bag. Or even a freezer ziplock. Using a ziplock, it would be easy to make a white one to do a trial run with. Thanks.

 

[vovanx]

But even something so simple and cheap as a 55 gallon yellow trash bag stashed in a pocket. You can blow it up and tie closed with a string while also attached to a D-ring is extremely effective at being seen 5 - 10 miles away and at night with a light glowing inside.
View attachment 499123

how is it called and where could i buy it?

 

[Johnoly]

how is it called and where could i buy it?

This is a low tech, simple DIY project that happens to be Very Effective to be rescued for just pennies.
It's like your car's seatbelts. You've probably never had a head on collision in your car, but you still wear your seat belts every drive. Same thing except it's a 25cent trash bag. Cheap effective insurance.

 

[vovanx]

This is a low tech, simple DIY project that happens to be Very Effective to be rescued for just pennies.
It's like your car's seatbelts. You've probably never had a head on collision in your car, but you still wear your seat belts every drive. Same thing except it's a 25cent trash bag. Cheap effective insurance.

so it's really just a trash bag? it looks like some factory-made stuff in that packing with a paper slip.

 

[rjack321]

Those yellow trash bags are genius. I'm going to find myself a box