Dive Alert--BC Inflator Hose or Pocket?

[mahjong]

Hi.

I was reading a dive instruction article and the author noted that he carried in his drysuit thigh pocket a Dive Alert (among other things). I've often wondered if having the Dive Alert affixed to the BC inflator hose during dives might not be a potential failure point, should the Dive Alert somehow interfere with BC inflation. When this diver noted that he kept his Dive Alert in his thigh pocket I wondered if it might actually be safer to keep it there--where it can be retrieved and hooked up on the surface if needed? Or is it less wise to try to attach the unit on the surface with thick gloves, or even risk droppping it?

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on the Dive Alert? Has anyone ever had a problem with it while diving?

Thanks

 

[RICHinNC]

Everything is a potential point of failure....but what are the stats involving that particular item on causing problems?

I prefer to have mine mounted than not because if I need it I have no desire to go hunting for it.....try to attach it.....and pray like the dickens I dont drop it in the process.

If it worries you to attach it, then dont. But I really dont think that it is that big an issue on being a point of failure. I am sure there are those that will disagree....to each his or her own.

rich

 

[miketsp]

I always keep mine mounted.
The one time I really needed my dive alert I needed it in a hurry, to signal the boat as I was getting swept out of sight behind an island, by a fast surface current.
If I had had to get it out of my pocket, with gloves on, and couple it up, it would not have been any use given the few seconds available.
I've never heard of one failing and even if it did, it would be faster to uncouple it than to find it in a pocket & couple it.
Anyway, I also use mine to fill SMBs. It bubbles nicely underwater with no noise.

 

[mike_s]

I think being on the surface and having to take it out of the pocket in choppy waves just means you'll drop it.

I attach mine and it's never caused an airflow failure to the BCD

 

[Damselfish]

I've wondered about these causing problems myself, as I've got a dive alert _and_ a sub alert on there. But I've had them a long time and not had a problem, except with both it's awkward and I really have to make a point to make sure they're hooked up properly. But I wouldn't really consider leaving it a pocket, I think if you're going to have one it ought to be hooked up and read to go.

 

[Web Monkey]

I keep mine attached. It doesn't seem to impact the air flow, although if you have an Air-2, it changes the position a little if you need to breathe off it, because the Dive-Alert doesn't bend along with the inflator hose.

OTOH, I always dive with an independant air source, and don't expect to breathe off the Air-2 anyway.

I'd leave it on. As others have said, if you need it, you don't want to start fumbling in pockets looking for it.

You never know when you'll need to signal a cruise ship to not run you over.

Terry

Hi.
I was reading a dive instruction article and the author noted that he carried in his drysuit thigh pocket a Dive Alert (among other things). I've often wondered if having the Dive Alert affixed to the BC inflator hose during dives might not be a potential failure point, should the Dive Alert somehow interfere with BC inflation. When this diver noted that he kept his Dive Alert in his thigh pocket I wondered if it might actually be safer to keep it there--where it can be retrieved and hooked up on the surface if needed? Or is it less wise to try to attach the unit on the surface with thick gloves, or even risk droppping it?
Thanks

 

[mahjong]

Thanks all!

I'm leaving mine attached.

 

[Charlie99]

Do practice the "disconnect inflator hose to prevent runaway ascent" drill. I find that it's easier to disconnect the LPI hose from the Dive Alert, leaving the Dive Alert on the BCD. Whichever way you choose, just make sure that you still can quickly disconnect a stuck-on BCD inflator.

 

[Aerodog]

I use one connected to an airsource. Never had a problem with it at depth. Recently, I had to remove it because it was causing an audible leak during gear up. It was my fault as it wasn't rinsed well enough after a beach dive. A warm water soak and its back in service without any problems.

 

[Mandy3206]

I've been using a sub alert and dive alert with a Tusa Duo air (air2 clone) for the last 7 yrs and they only leaked a few bubbles every now and them, never has affected my bottom times and the air flow to the duo air is the same.

I rinse it after every dive trip and changed the seals last yr 'cause I wanted to.

Mine is attached in every dive.