Getting Found - Drift or Stay Put

[Green_Manelishi]

I have read this a few times and wonder if it's true. Not that I would ever question GMs dive knowledge but two things make me question it. I have never seen an ocean current completely submerge a bouy, be it a crab pot marker, morring bouy or other. I don't know how much lift bouyancy a standard bouy has but I would think a fully inflated BC and empty tank would be in the balpark. And the other reason I wonder is due to my experiences waterskiing, even getting towed along at 5-10 knots in a horizontal position, I would usually not be fully submerged (note, I did not say I was even close to being a GOOD waterskier).

If anyone is willing to tie off in a reasonable current and report back it would be very enlightening, any takers.....anyone?

Well I am flattered but I've been wrong before and probably will be again. However, I have personally experienced being dragged under while on the surface, in a current and "anchored" to the bottom; I was holding onto a lobster trap warp line. One of the other posters commented about the basic mechanics involved.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I think I would try to tie off with a way to disconnect if the current is going to pull you under. Inflate SMB conserve energy and resources. Unless you know which way shore is and there is no current (Pronbably not an option in the Ocean big freshwater lake though) then swim slowly toward shore.

 

[grassyknoll]

I have read this a few times and wonder if it's true.

Aww shucks, I just wanted to see if I could get someone to try it and report back....

Thanks for setting me straight, I never profess to know more than the combined experinces of those on the board, heck, I doubt I would declare that water is wet, as I'm sure someone on here could post a plausable argument as to why it isn't.

 

[Doc Harry]

I would deploy the SMB and activate my personal emergency locator beacon as I drifted.

Seriously, you'd never be able to "tie off" in a current. Just ask any whitewater river rescuer what happens if you "tie off" in current.

You're at the mercy of the ocean and you'll exhaust yourself if you try to fight it. Ditch your weights, deploy your signals, conserve energy and hope for the best.

 

[Diving Doc]

I had a long discussion with a member of the Coastguard in this country about this very thing. As string said, they have software that allows them to track currents, rates of movements etc and generally search using that. The coastguards biggest problem is that they are looking for no more than a seals head above the water. So heres a couple of tips they gave me.

1. If at night, dive with a good torch!!
2. Next time you get one of those free cd's in the post, dont throw it away, put it in your bc pocket and should this happen use it as a sun reflector
3. Buy bright fins (that start the DIR blokes going). Should you be lost at sea and a helo is around, use them as a signalling device.
4. There are available on the market, personal flares, investigate them.

Hope this helps

 

[Packhorse]

We just did a seach technique modual for coast guard and the search is generaly started at last know position.

 

[NJMike]

Eval, I liked your answer. It got me thinking about the 'small' things I might be able to do that might make a 'big' difference.

 

[Web Monkey]

In summary, tying off would give you the best chance of being found by dive boats and local mariners, but search planners will assume you're drifting. After 10 hours or so I can't imagine any benefit to holding on unless a) another boat might come dive that spot or b) the current is going to pull you further into open ocean. For example, here in Guam, there is 2000NM of nothing between here and the Phillipines, and that is where you are headed if you let go. I'd probably hold on.

Thanks for the answer!

Terry

 

[Cheekymonkey]

Wow the CD Idea is a great cheap and economic idea.

 

[String]

The SAR services here did tests on various signalling aids and found CDs to be fairly poor at this task. A £1 signal mirror from a camping shop was far far more effective.

CDs though apparently reflect radar very well and some people recommend mounting them to SMBs as a result.