I can never think of a time you would need a mirror. WHAT???

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I admit it. I am a preparedness freak. We are expecting an ice storm here, like so many in the past, so I have my plan already to go just in case--- alternate heating system, lighting, and stove (I must have hot coffee) and I also have a portable system for heat that I use to heat my surface interval tent when it is chilly that I carry in my truck. I think it is part of my civic duty to be prepared so that in stormy or disastrous conditions no one has to take care of me.

So this is my mind set when I approach anything I do. Diving is no different for me. I try to think of what might go wrong—what has gone wrong for others. Then I try to think of how I can make sure the same thing doesn’t go wrong for me and then if it does to have some kind of back up plan.

So with my other thread about the hypothetical divers with the missing boat off shore, I have been reading tons on diver safety and purchasing safety gear to begin practicing the proper use and deployment of said gear.

Well, last night I call the good old LDS and talk with the guy. I ask him if he has a particular safety mirror that I want---Ultimate Survival Star Flash Signal Mirror. He asks why in the world I would want to waste money on a mirror of all things. I tell him that I plan to do some off shore diving and want it as a safety device. He proceeds to tell me that all I need is a safety sausage to signal the boat and could never think of a situation where you would ever under any circumstances need a mirror. Huhhh!!!! Talk to those guys lost in the Red Sea—I bet they could have used a mirror!!

I know how effective a mirror can be. As a kid, we used to get those Avon mirrors that the Avon lady gave you and play flash tag with them. Those suckers can blind you even if you aren’t looking right at them. Ah to be a child again!! Those are some good memories. But I digress.

So, I just can’t understand first of all when business is slow, why you would talk a customer out of a purchase. But I also can’t understand how someone wouldn’t see the value of a piece of safety gear.

So do others find that the LDS downs plays safety gear??

 

[The Kraken]

Geezzzzz!!!

Every dive shop I've ever entered, I've had to beat the staff off to keep them from trying to sell me stuff !!!!

Just for kicks and giggles, you may want to remind him that all search vehicles aren't boats. That 6 foot sausage,when it's stickin straight up from the surface can be difficult to see from an airplane 1000' above the water and 2 miles away. But you can bet your sweet bippie that if you can get a reflection of the sun to the observer he'll see ya.

the K

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Geezzzzz!!!

Every dive shop I've ever entered, I've had to beat the staff off to keep them from trying to sell me stuff !!!!
the K

Oh they want to sell me stuff. Tank bangers, aqua maraca, bungee wings, a bp/w that has this jacket bc like thing on it. Lots of stuff above MSRP.

It is just the stuff I ask for he tells me I don't need or trys to sell it to me at way inflated prices.

 

[jpcpat]

You never need any emergency equipment unless you need it bad. I figure a mask can reflect well enough.

If yo feel better having one, then by all means get one. The ones with a hole in the middle allow aiming the mirror to some degree.

 

[Mr.X]

Well, last night I call the good old LDS and talk with the guy. I ask him if he has a particular safety mirror that I want---Ultimate Survival Star Flash Signal Mirror. He asks why in the world I would want to waste money on a mirror of all things. I tell him that I plan to do some off shore diving and want it as a safety device. He proceeds to tell me that all I need is a safety sausage to signal the boat and could never think of a situation where you would ever under any circumstances need a mirror. Huhhh!!!! Talk to those guys lost in the Red Sea—I bet they could have used a mirror!!

I know how effective a mirror can be. As a kid, we used to get those Avon mirrors that the Avon lady gave you and play flash tag with them. Those suckers can blind you even if you aren’t looking right at them. Ah to be a child again!! Those are some good memories. But I digress.

So, I just can’t understand first of all when business is slow, why you would talk a customer out of a purchase. But I also can’t understand how someone wouldn’t see the value of a piece of safety gear.

So do others find that the LDS downs plays safety gear??

The LDS guy doesn't seem to know the value of being prepared. Which leads to a secondary question. Why would he try to dissuade an intelligent purchase?

I have carried polycarbonate mirrors for the longest time. They are almost indestructible, great for signaling, checking for stray bubbles coming out of a rebreather, looking behind you if needed and certainly comes in handy topside when a diver needs to look for that missing contact lens, or errant pimple.

X

 

[CheddarChick]

I know I bought a cheap one and kept in a bc pocket forever...The last time I pulled it out it was so corroded over it was useless..... Should make it a part of the predive check.

 

[fast5frog]

Just for kicks and giggles, you may want to remind him that all search vehicles aren't boats. That 6 foot sausage,when it's stickin straight up from the surface can be difficult to see from an airplane 1000' above the water and 2 miles away. But you can bet your sweet bippie that if you can get a reflection of the sun to the observer he'll see ya.

the K

That about sums it up perfectly! I am new to diving and haven't had a need for it yet. But my time in the Marine Corps., on more than one ocassion mirrors have come in handy!

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

You never need any emergency equipment unless you need it bad. I figure a mask can reflect well enough.

If yo feel better having one, then by all means get one. The ones with a hole in the middle allow aiming the mirror to some degree.

The masks reflecting didn't help those poor souls in the Red Sea this past week. 5 masks between them. From the lone survivor who left the other 4 in the group and swam to shore for help, said they waved fins, a single sausage, screamed, and to no avail. He said they saw many boats within a few hundred yards, but could not gain their attention and the current was such that they could not swim that direction.

From the report of the lone survivor who swam to shore, the others were too weak to swim. They all made it within 3 miles of shore. They had many hours of day light floating before he decided to swim for it.

Seems like a mirror should be required for all off shore diving. If you are counting on a reflective mask, I think you are out of luck even if you are a dive master it is not going to reflect for you.

 

[TSandM]

Oh, Leah, given where you're going, just buy the 21W Salvo HID light. It's brighter than any reflection from a mirror . . .

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Oh, Leah, given where you're going, just buy the 21W Salvo HID light. It's brighter than any reflection from a mirror . . .

Oh, I have one of those on the wish list, but it will be a while. I also like to have back up gear that doens't require batteries. I can tell you from playing flash tag as kid, if you get hit even from the side in your eye, it hurts and will get your attention.