Best surface signalling sound devices

[Lorenzoid]

What kind of failures have been experienced with V1?

I can't speak for any instance other than mine, but it simply did not make a loud noise as it was supposed to when I tested it. The pitch was low and the sound level weak. I hadn't used it in a year or more. My thinking was that something inside had corroded. I probably did not clean it thoroughly enough in fresh water.

A whistle may not be as loud, but it doesn't corrode. As I see it, the simpler the mechanism, the better.

 

[J322Y]

Has anyone tried the HyperWhistle?

Worlds's Loudest Whistle - SPL up to 142dB 8x louder than a common whistle - 2 mile usable range - Anti-microbial composite, all-weather construction - Unique radial tri-frequency design - Naturally Buoyant - Works in all weather - evironments, including underwater - Patented Design US8925478

 

[rek_diver]

What kind of failures have been experienced with V1?

They break, they fall apart, they simply stop working.

 

[Fastmarc]

I can't speak for any instance other than mine, but it simply did not make a loud noise as it was supposed to when I tested it. The pitch was low and the sound level weak. I hadn't used it in a year or more. My thinking was that something inside had corroded. I probably did not clean it thoroughly enough in fresh water.

I do make an effort to rinse it properly after every dive and usually I test it every now and then. However, I can't remember when last I have tested it. Will make sure to do so next dive.

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Has anyone tried the HyperWhistle?

I am tempted to try this. Thank you for the link.

I see that the DiveAlert web site now has prominently posted instructions for cleaning it with fresh water and blowing it dry with air. I think when I bought mine--probably close to 10 years ago--no such instructions came with it. Nevertheless, I try to avoid equipment that requires babying--my regulators are the most mechanically finicky equipment I care to tolerate. An air horn that I might find a need to use once in 100 dives doesn't seem worth the maintenance hassle to me.

 

[Rred]

Whistles are inexpensive, convenient, easy to use, small to carry. But in three or four decades of hearing "No, this one REALLY IS LOUD!" all that I've been able to confirm is that none of them is worth a damn if you are trying to signal someone who is only 100 yards UPWIND of you.

Sorry, but a whistle serves mainly to placate the user in most cases.

And anything that relies on your tank air...well, that has other problems. So it goes back to decibels. Frequency won't matter until you get into elderly divers or boat crew who have significant hearing loss. Decibels aren't all created equal (or measured equally) either, but they're the best gauge of comparative loudness.

Carry a Glock. they don't mind being full of water. Fire three shots into the air, folks will turn around to look for you.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Whistles are inexpensive, convenient, easy to use, small to carry. But in three or four decades of hearing "No, this one REALLY IS LOUD!" all that I've been able to confirm is that none of them is worth a damn if you are trying to signal someone who is only 100 yards UPWIND of you.

The whistle that came as part of a package with my DAN SMB isn't very loud. Anything better than that one would be an improvement. I see they have a newer model now, though who knows how loud it is: DAN: Online Store | scuba diving safety equipment

 

[Rred]

I've got louder whistles and shriller whistles and bigger and smaller whistles. I still wouldn't bet my life on any one of them. In a dead calm, or if the other guy is dead downwind, any one of them would do.

 

[Doc]

.45 ACP

 

[tridacna]

Just as a side note: Did you know that a duck's quack does not echo?

Cheers - MM

Ha ha! Note that just like a duck’s quack, my “ha” echoed. I call b.a.l.o.n.e.y. on the quack nonsense.