Had a close call yesterday, almost lost at sea...

[TampaScuba]

Searched for lots of divers. Never heard a whistle (over radio, engines, inside, etc) in my life. I have a deal for you. I will send you (for the cost of shipping) a waterproof case made of Delrin by Light Monkey or a screwtop case made of PVC with a whistle, mirror, I think I have some orange marker dye, and a PLB with expired batteries. It isn't a joke, you can buy a new PLB or SPOT, or whatever makes you feel safest if you promise to carry it on every dive.

I have half dozen of them I used to use on my tech divers. Since I no longer have tech divers, I am willing to part with these to enhance safety of folks who tend to dive alone far from help.

I PM'd you and there is no doubt my BC will be COVERED in safety equipment every single dive I do in the future, that's for sure.

 

[CuzzA]

Searched for lots of divers. Never heard a whistle (over radio, engines, inside, etc) in my life. I have a deal for you. I will send you (for the cost of shipping) a waterproof case made of Delrin by Light Monkey or a screwtop case made of PVC with a whistle, mirror, I think I have some orange marker dye, and a PLB with expired batteries. It isn't a joke, you can buy a new PLB or SPOT, or whatever makes you feel safest if you promise to carry it on every dive.

I have half dozen of them I used to use on my tech divers. Since I no longer have tech divers, I am willing to part with these to enhance safety of folks who tend to dive alone far from help.

That is very generous. The OP should take you up on the offer. OP, you can send the PLB in for service and a new battery.

I've been trying to convince my buddy to add a PLB kit and he's always balked at the cost. If you're serious I would like to offer this to him. Let me know.

We really don't like to live boat though, it's actually looked down upon with most people I've dove with. Like I said, this isn't my usual group of people I dive with(or boat). We most ALWAYS drop a jug/marker, but this dive many mistakes were made. Just glad I lived and learned.

Anchoring the boat is lazy, IMO, and that's why many do it. In terms of running a dive boat it offers no advantage over a live boat other than an upline for divers to ascend. And if divers can't do a free ascent, they probably shouldn't be doing private dives and definitely shouldn't be spearfishing.

Anchoring the boat forces divers to swim to the boat which can be tiring if they surface too far or they may not be able to defeat a strong surface current. It adds time to recover a diver. Time which could be critical if a diver is being chased by sharks or has surfaced with an issue. Have a look at so many accidents and incident reports and you'll find a common theme, "the diver surfaced in distress and then disappeared."

I think you should try a live boat. I bet you won't anchor again. If you do want to continue to throw the hook your anchor system should be setup to quickly detach with a buoy. What if one of your divers got into trouble and your anchor fouled on a wreck or structure? How much time would it take you to get off the hook?

 

[JohnnyC]

@Wookie if you're interested in selling, I wouldn't mind buying one of those Light Monkey cases from you.

 

[Dan]

Many people report whistles go unanswered, they just don't carry that far, especially with wind blowing in the wrong direction. Add a a cheap plastic signaling mirror to your list, on a sunny day that flash of light will carry for miles and get anybodies attention, might think about always be diving with a light too no matter the time of day, just because you might get lost during the day light doesn't mean you still won't be floating at night.

Thanks for the tips. I just bought a glass military 2"x3" scratch resistant survival signal mirror by Rothco from eBay. It'll be in my BCD pocket together with my small UW flashlight.

 

[TampaScuba]

I think you should try a live boat. I bet you won't anchor again. If you do want to continue to throw the hook your anchor system should be setup to quickly detach with a buoy. What if one of your divers got into trouble and your anchor fouled on a wreck or structure? How much time would it take you to get off the hook?

That's actually an awesome idea, we do have a buoy for the anchor line, but no quick disconnect. I will mention that to the boat owner.

As far as "lazy" to drop a anchor, you must not have pulled up many anchors in your day JK, thanks for the advice!

 

[The Chairman]

As far as "lazy" to drop a anchor, you must not have pulled up many anchors in your day

I was thinking the very same thing. If you're out with four, two up/two down is a great option. It seems it would add an hour to the day, but it works out to be somewhat less than that.

 

[daniel f aleman]

In addition to signaling devices, carry your cellphone on your body at all times, especially when diving offshore in the open ocean. There are well-made waterproof cases for all iphones an Androids.

 

[Wookie]

@Wookie if you're interested in selling, I wouldn't mind buying one of those Light Monkey cases from you.

Email me with a prepaid shipping label. Frank@20yearsatsea.com
My address is Spree Expeditions, Inc
1107 Key Plaza #157
Key West, FL 33040

About 3 lbs.

 

[TampaScuba]

In addition to signaling devices, carry your cellphone on your body at all times, especially when diving offshore in the open ocean. There are well-made waterproof cases for all iphones an Androids.

The problem is, that far out cell phones are useless, we don't have cell signal at all. A PLB is the only way to go when out that far.

 

[Landlocked123]

I have a DIY scuba helmet that has 2 300 lumens Big Blue camaera lights mounted on it. I use a gro pro mounted in the middle. I cam every dive. I also carry a redundant light (DGX600) on the D ring and bungee to chest strap. I carry 2 SMB's One DSMB and one SMB - I carry a whistle and signal mirror as well. EVERY DIVE EVERY WHERE EVEN IN THE QUARRY. I believe firmly and your dive rig should be the same wherever you dive. So you know your light and where it is. You know where your whislte and signal mirror is, your know .. without even looking... So net net i have 3 lights, and 2 smb's along with signaling capability. if I am ever lost at sea at least I have a chance. oh heah and i always carry a large wreck reel. If i am ever left behind, given enough air, the first thing i will do is tie myself off to the wreck and float above it so that I dont float away from the dive site...now that is paranoia talking ..lol