Buddy Pair Panic Buttons - Good Idea Or Stupid Gadget?

[Reku]

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

I tried to edit it a little - I suppose that was not what I meant to say.

 

[Reku]

I actually forgot to answer the OP's question:

It is better than a horrible tank banger anything is better than that. Although it is not much better.

 

[boulderjohn]

I can think immediately of some situations where it could be useful.

Very recently I was working with a group of divers doing some work clearing out collapsed areas in a cave. That work raised a lot of silt, and between efforts we needed to let the cave "rest" to clear out. At the end of the day, the idea was raised of going into a section that was especially problematic and intentionally digging out some silty areas, creating a super silt out. We decided that if the diver doing it went to the deepest level first and then moved to the exit in a deliberate fashion, pulling out silt as he went, he should have no trouble getting out. It was, however, a one man job. I was that one man. I made a time table for doing the work and getting out. If I violated that time table, someone would come in and look for meme. (Everything went as planned.) If I had had such a device, I would have used it for an extra measure of safety.

I can think of other cases where buddies deliberately separate because of situations like that, with no clear way to signal trouble. If you read The Last Dive or Shadow Divers, you know about the Chris and Chrissy Rouse case, for example.

 

[Reku]

I can think immediately of some situations where it could be useful.

Very recently I was working with a group of divers doing some work clearing out collapsed areas in a cave. That work raised a lot of silt, and between efforts we needed to let the cave "rest" to clear out. At the end of the day, the idea was raised of going into a section that was especially problematic and intentionally digging out some silty areas, creating a super silt out. We decided that if the diver doing it went to the deepest level first and then moved to the exit in a deliberate fashion, pulling out silt as he went, he should have no trouble getting out. It was, however, a one man job. I was that one man. I made a time table for doing the work and getting out. If I violated that time table, someone would come in and look for meme. (Everything went as planned.) If I had had such a device, I would have used it for an extra measure of safety.

I can think of other cases where buddies deliberately separate because of situations like that, with no clear way to signal trouble. If you read The Last Dive or Shadow Divers, you know about the Chris and Chrissy Rouse case, for example.

I'm not sure it would be able to work in a cave - but it would be worth taking in the case you describe. I wonder if something like this could of saved agnes milowka. Buzz 4 times for someone to come bring more air to a location near you. Just a though.

 

[gypsyjim]

We learned to dive with 1 regulator, no alternate, no spg, no bcd, so obviously using technology to overcome skills deficits is no a new trend.


Not that this buzz-your-buddy system sounds like a home run to me.

 

[gypsyjim]

I think I need to patent my new Leash-a-Buddy system, so buddy teams can instantly recall their buddy in an emergency, or if one of them has wandered far afield...

It will resemble two of the retractable dog leashes that sell in pet shops, attached to opposite ends of a 18-20 foot leash. Battery powered winches would replace the spring mechanisms in the dog leash.

If either buddy experiences an emergency, or feels they need to recall, locate or correct a wandering buddy, they just push a button, and the integrated 5hp electric winch at their end instantly retrieves the errant buddy.

There are a few design issue I may need to address before seeking a patent, or going into production, but Leash-a-Buddy might just be the perfect solution to poor buddy team skills.

 

[Pinecube]

Sounds neat, is it something that they actually had to design for the contest or is it just a concept?

Ignoring the intended use for a minute, I can see some other uses... If the range is sufficient it could be used to recall divers to a boat. If you are in a situation where you have surface support, this could be a poor man's comm (though rope is cheaper I guess).

Might be nice in low vis environments but the problem with that is you still need to know where your buddy is in order to help.

 

[gypsyjim]

Might be nice in low vis environments but the problem with that is you still need to know where your buddy is in order to help.

NOT a problem with my soon to be patented Leash-a-Buddy buddy retrieval system.

 

[scoobydrew]

I'm leaning towards the oldschool, learn how to remain in communication with your buddy. Out of the world of benefits that can be achieved from this, noticing you buddy signalling that something is wrong is just one of them.

 

[Steve_C]

I can think of one good use for it. I and buddy are diving well within visual range but not side by side. I am looking in a certain direction taking a photograph. Buddy looks over and there is something even more interesting passing through which will be gone in a few seconds.. Zap - look at me quickly you are missing something. I can think of a few things that I would have seen that I didn't. Note that buddy and I are both in solo configuration but maintaining visual contact with each other.