Combo BC and PFD?

[O2BBubbleFree]

Hi all,

I recently ran across a web site of a company that makes old-fashioned horse-collar style BCs, and one of their claims was that it's one of the few that will support an unconcious diver face-up.

I hadn't really thought about it until I started reading posts r.e. divers who get lost at sea. Now I'm wondering if a BC should also act as a PFD (personal flotation device, or life jacket).

Are there other BCs designed to act as a surface float for an unconcious diver?

I'm thinking I might be able to suspend my tank and lead from the back of my rear-inflate BC (using the regulators, or a length of line stashed in a pocket) so that it would ensure I float face-up, but haven't tried it yet.

If you were on some third-world dive boat who's safety standards aren't quite as high as a cruise ship, would you have more peace-of-mind if your BC doubled as a life jacket, should the boat sink?

What type of BC do you use, and what would you do to ensure you stay face-up if you ever get stranded at sea?

 

[MSilvia]

I use a BP/Wing, and have no problem floating on my back with it. I've only been stranded at sea once, but it was with a TPII which is also back-inflate. That experience led me to believe that I can stay in that position comfortably at the surface for some time. I'm not at all concerned about the "face down on the surface" thing... I'm more worried about how a "face up" configuration would screw up my trim under water.

If I had concerns in an emergency situation though, I would take steps such as ditching weight and/or removing and repositioning my wing. I don't think it's a big deal in any case.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

I use a BP/Wing, and have no problem floating on my back with it. I've only been stranded at sea once, but it was with a TPII which is also back-inflate. That experience led me to believe that I can stay in that position comfortably at the surface for some time. I'm not at all concerned about the "face down on the surface" thing... I'm more worried about how a "face up" configuration would screw up my trim under water.

If I had concerns in an emergency situation though, I would take steps such as ditching weight and/or removing and repositioning my wing. I don't think it's a big deal in any case.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that I wouldn't want something that wouldn't 'trim' in normal use, and I've never had a problem staying on my back, but I'm sure I would flip face-down if I was unconcious and didn't re-configure my gear somehow.

I'm just thinking that if I get stranded for several hours, staying on my back may take more energy than I can afford to expend...

Maybe I'll carry a set of SOSpenders in my BC pocket

I've also never worried about sharks while under the water (being too slow and noisy to be mistaken for food) but wonder if the tank dangling below me on the surface would give any curious shark something to play with, other than my legs.

Oh, the circles my mind travels when I should be working...

 

[MSilvia]

I suppose in a pinch you might be able to get into the harness backwards, so it floats you face up, but never having tried it I'm not sure that would be an improvement. I'm thinking that if I started to roll face-down while sleeping, that would wake me up... unless sleep wasn't why I was unconsious.

Man, I'd hate to be lost at sea without a buddy and floating along while passed out from an accident.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

Man, I'd hate to be lost at sea without a buddy and floating along while passed out from an accident.

Me too! I was just thinking that after many hours in the water all involved might be getting pretty exhausted, accident or no.

Again, hope I'm never in such a situation.

I wonder if I could take the wing off of my BC and tie it around my chest like a regular life vest? With the top of the wing behind my neck, and the sides in front of my chest? Hmmm, have to look into that.

Probably have to find a way to make the wing easier to remove. Don't want this to be too difficult to do at the end of the third dive of the day in high seas in the dark with one hand...

 

[Mandy3206]

It's easier to carry a Sea Marshall EPIRB, a SMB and a couple of flares in case I get stranded at sea, I know this 'cause I carry them in every OW dive. I doubt that the EPIRB signal would be ignored by the Coast Guard for a long time.

If I'm in a remote third world dive site, then take extra precautions with your navigation skills and if SHTF, then pray to GOD for help to arrive.

Bottom line, you should be prepared for an emergency, but there's no way you can foresee every eventuality, so enjoy diving and know your limits.

PS. If I wanted to be safe, I would play ping pong.

 

[kman458]

there is a company that makes a 1 man inflateable life boat. i guess it is small enough to attach to your bc but big enough for 1 person. i will see if i can find it.

 

[Mandy3206]

http://www.halcyon.net/mc/dlr.shtml

I got it, it is stowed in my BP Pad pocket.
I don't carry it much, but If the dive requires it (couple of miles offshore), I take it with me.