Its not the size of your sausage.....its how you used it!!
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I thought of starting a new thread but I guess this is still a bit on track because it is about safety. But feel free to move it.
What do you think of the SOS from Aqualung/Seaquest? It's the one that goes on your rear lower right dump valve.
What do you think of the SOS from Aqualung/Seaquest? It's the one that goes on your rear lower right dump valve.
miketsp
Contributor
Paul P:
I see a lot of people asking the same question on other boards/sites. It certainly looks interesting and the price isn't absurd.
But,
is there any risk of accidental inflation?
will it still function if you have a punctured BC?
does it increase drag while finning UW?
does the rear dump valve still function normally?
flw
Guest
Lat. Adjustment:
Depends on where you are, in a lot of Europe, red is the 'normal' dsmb, yellow is a back-up/emergency signal only and an emergency of some sort will be assumed until proved otherwise - like anything essential carry at least 2 red and one yellow
The RAF and MCA here did tests in visibility testing various devices and colours.
Have a look at http://www.jeanelaine.co.uk/diveraids/experiment.htm for a shortened version of the results.
From memory it concluded the red colour DSMB was the most visibile colour when searching from a surface vessel and yellow was easier to spot from the air.
Although not rock solid standard here, a red DSMB generally indicated "all is well - here i am" and a yellow bag is the "oh sh1t" marker. Commonly used to mean "Need more gas" or if a slate attached, another problem.
Have a look at http://www.jeanelaine.co.uk/diveraids/experiment.htm for a shortened version of the results.
From memory it concluded the red colour DSMB was the most visibile colour when searching from a surface vessel and yellow was easier to spot from the air.
Although not rock solid standard here, a red DSMB generally indicated "all is well - here i am" and a yellow bag is the "oh sh1t" marker. Commonly used to mean "Need more gas" or if a slate attached, another problem.
miketsp
Contributor
String:
There used to be a subtlety, which still holds true in some places. As String states the red bag is "OK".
However the diver may have had problems with his red bag and been forced to use his yellow one. So the convention can be:
Red only - OK
Yellow only - don't take risks to get there quickly but don't dally about.
Red and Yellow together - definite emergency - get help as fast as possible.
The ideal is to let the boat driver know what convention you want to use.
Thats the most important thing, as there is no fixed standard only unofficial conventions before any diver make sure the surface cover is fully briefed on what colours mean what and so on.
CuriousMe
Guest
miketsp:
I have one of these actually.
I don't think there's a real risk of accidental inflation, there's a clip keeping it rolled up that you need to pull before you inflate it.
I would say it depends on how badly it's punctured, if it doesn't hold air at all, I would say probably, you won't be able to inflate it.
I haven't noticed a big difference in drag.
No, the rear dump valve is used exclusively for the sausage. I never really used my rear dump, so this wasn't a problem for me.
Peace,
Cathie
No, the rear dump valve is used exclusively for the sausage. I never really used my rear dump, so this wasn't a problem for me.
Peace,
Cathie[/QUOTE]
My BCD is a Black Diamond so it has two rear dump valves. Although the bladder being U shaped.... some air might be stuck in the other side if you can only use one side.
Reading the other posts, there seem to be a lot of people who use the sausage while they are still under water. Cathie, is this possible with the SOS? Or can you just use it on the surface?
Peace,
Cathie[/QUOTE]
My BCD is a Black Diamond so it has two rear dump valves. Although the bladder being U shaped.... some air might be stuck in the other side if you can only use one side.
Reading the other posts, there seem to be a lot of people who use the sausage while they are still under water. Cathie, is this possible with the SOS? Or can you just use it on the surface?
CuriousMe
Guest
Paul P:
Nope, it's a surface only kinda thing. If I'm doing Live Boat Diving, I have another sausage that I put in my BC pocket with line attached to it. (no reel or anything).
I like it for the surface, because I often have my camera in my hands....so, once I deploy the sausage on my BC....I don't have to hold it, it's attached.
Peace,
Cathie
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