How is your PLB set up for deployment?

[RIHappyDiver]

We have an ARC ResqLink, and I’m curious how others have set it up for use. We keep ours in a DryFob with the clip attachment on it and a Velcro strap running through it to allow it to be attached to a shoulder strap. The only thing that I dislike is that the clip attachment causes the PLB to take up enough room that it’s hard to get a signal mirror into the DryFob with it. I couldn’t get a good picture of it in the DryFob, but here are pictures of it.

How is everyone else setting there’s up for deployment straight out of whatever container you’re using?

Erik

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

Not sure if this will be of any help at all.....but I have the same ACR and am able to get the unit, 20ft of paracord, whistle and AF Signal mirror with wrist lanyard all packed nicely......so there is plenty of room in the XLDF without the clip attachment on the ACR. But now that you mention the good idea of securing the PLB to a shoulder strap...I'm thinking that I might just incorporate a custom "pouch" just for that purpose that just lives on my shoulder strap.

 

[lairdb]

(ObCommunityCare: There are a LOT of other PLB threads, many with setups and pictures.)

I have an older and slightly bulkier model (PLB-375+); I've posted bits and pieces in other threads but here's my complete setup. (Yes, it's probably overkill. I hope.) Open to feedback.

Shrinkwrapped piece of mylar blanket; silver one side/orange the other. (Shade, VS-17-like visibility panel,...). Whistle and mirror clipped to a loop of paracord that is girth hitched to the PLB. Velcro came with the PLB; folded the other way it'll go around a shoulder strap, etc.)

Dryfob XL; lid has lost&found info inside and a bolt snap on a short loop outside; main portion has a scrap of neoprene in the bottom to reduce rattles and a first name sticker on the outside bottom.

The fit is crazy tight -- if the lanyard weren't there, you'd never get it out. If I redo it again, the whistle will move to the outside and the blanket will get folded wider and flatter so it's not quite as snug.

An old mask pocket holds the dryfob, and a glowstick, mini-strobe, and dye marker, all clipped off.

...which all bundles up and goes where many folks put their canister lights.

Part of the escalation, but not shown: a 4ft DSMB and spool in a pocket, a horn on the LPI hose, and a 12ft SMB bungeed to the backplate.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

I opted for the canister from Light Monkey and carry the canister on my backplate's webbing at my right side.

I kept the velcro strap as the means to attach the PLB to my webbing. My PLB package included a short segment of cord that I fashioned a dummy cord out of. There was also this item of rubber that I looped to the top of the PLB to act as a pull tab to help extract the device out of the canister.

It's a snug fit inside the canister.

 

[Jaan]

Some great ideas here, those that want double the room could get our TXL which actually takes two XL bottoms attached with a middle sleeve . You could also bring a Sunday paper in that setup if you wanted some reading

DRYFOB Releases New Double Length XL Container Rated to 1,200ft (365m): The DRYFOB-TXL - DRYFOB

On Oct 11, 2024, DRYFOB released its new double length XL waterproof container, the DRYFOB-TXL. The new DRYFOB-TXL (or Tall XL), is over twice as long as the original DRYFOB-XL which has quickly become the go-to dive-rated container for PLBs and marine radios for divers all over the world. The...

dryfob.com

 

[RIHappyDiver]

@lairdb , you’re correct, there are a LOT of threads on PLBs, and I’ve looked through many of them in the past, before I purchased a PLB. And there are examples of how people have them set up for storage. What I’m looking for, and what the three of you have given me examples of, is how to mount them for actual use. I remember one poster stating that he had a lanyard and retractor attached to his for use, and I couldn’t figure out if he really planned on holding it in his hand, pointed at satellites, until help came.

The pouch idea by @NW Dive Dawg is a great idea, but I’m not that crafty/handy when it comes to that sort of thing. I would probably have the GPS sensor covered, lol. I thought about using the Velcro length wise, as you and @Cornbread O'Malley have it set up, but, at 4.25”, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to tighten it enough to stay in place without constant monitoring.

Ok, this has never happened to me before. While I was typing the above I remember that I have a trilobite sheath that is designed to wrap around harness straps so that you don’t have to rethread to get it on. I just checked it and it fits quite snugly to my shoulder strap, and the Velcro strip that’s on it will work great with the Velcro on the PBL. This allows me to take off the clip attachment and run the Velcro length wise, as you two have it, giving me more room in the DryFob for other safety items.

Thanks, everyone, for getting my brain working! Also, each one of you showed me something that I’m going to steal. @Jaan , thanks for making such a great product, and being responsive enough to put out the varying sizes.
Sorry this is so long, but it’s kinda my trademark .
Erik

 

[RIHappyDiver]

 

[lairdb]

Incidentally (and ready to be corrected on this by anyone who has (supported) better information), I think people worry too much about keeping the unit constantly facing the sky. At least, the one I have and have therefore researched, my understanding is that the 406 goes out through the whip antenna immediately (already providing a rough location.) The GPS (patch antenna behind faceplate that needs to face sky for a few minutes to receive good signal) subsequently updates, usually within 3 minutes, and that data is added to the 406 signal.

Following that, the GPS only updates after 30 minutes, during which the whip just needs to be above the water; the face really only needs to be up and unobscured for a few minutes for the half hour re-updates.

Obviously it’s ideal for it to sit face up the whole time — but that may not be as practical bobbing in the sea; more critical is keeping the whip out of the water.

PLB-375 manual with some detail about the lights, 30 minute cycle, and 4 hour cycle.