Just how loud a noise should the ScubAlert make?

[adad]

I just came back from the Similans and had the chance to test out my new ScubAlert
signalling device [and my girlfriend's].

From what I have read, the ScubAlert is supposed to give out a loud blast, at around 120db or so. But my unit [brand new], while 'quacked' fine, just does not sound loud enough to make me uncomfortable, let alone having to duck my head u/w like some folks suggest. I never got the blast I was anticipating for. The most times I tried it was on the surface with the inflator hose held up high in the air, with about 30-50 bars left in the tank. I tried giving short squirts and also a good 3-5 second press/hold on the inflator button - sounded pretty much the same... One of the dives I had about 130 bars, no different in sound.

To make sure that my unit is not faulty, I asked my girlfriend to use hers, and it sounded the same, and she consistently ends her dives with about 30-40 bars more air than me. We both use Oceanic's OceanPro BCD.

Do we have anything to worry about, or does the 'low-pitched' quacking sound carry pretty far on the surface?

Thanks,

 

[RICHinNC]

Not familiar with that model or brand.

But, try DiveAlert if you want to go deaf or signal someone a mile away. If yours quacked....it sounds more like a subsurface signaler...versus above surface.

 

[fdog]

Orange button, or yellow?

The orange button is on the DiveAlert. I have this, and it has always made me regret it when I press the button on the surface...it's that loud.

It sounds like you have the SubDuck, which I believe had the old name of SubAlert. This indeed sounds like you describe, and can't be heard for more that about 10 meters in the air.

It however can be heard quite a ways underwater, and is the one piece of equipment I wish could vanish off the planet...it's that annoying when used indiscriminately.

All the best, James

 

[adad]

The one I use actually has a red button, named ScubAlert, manufactured by Aquatec.
It is sold as a surface/uw signaller, and is advertised to be LOUD.

But it just isn't ... so I hope I could get some insights about how far this kind of quacking sound can actually travel.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[fdog]

Ah ha! A different beast. Well, I haven't heard a quacker yet that had more carry (on the surface) than a good yell.

All the best, James

 

[divematt]

I'm holding in my hand as I type this an Aquatec device made for underwater. I has a metal plate at the opposite end of the button end. That's why it quacks, the plate vibrates back and forth. Although in's loud in a garage when testing it, the sound won't travel very far in air no matter how it's marketed. The Dive Alert type devices look like they have a small horn shape at the end rather than the vibrating plate. You need both to do both jobs. I'd return it and get one made for above water and bang on your tank with a metal carabiner or stainless or brass clip when you need someones attention under water. If your device has the metal plate and not the horn shape where the sound is made, it's a shame it's marketed to do both because I tried to find one to do both and they just can't do it.

Matt

 

[Web Monkey]

There are two of them and you both got the wrong one. The dealer might exchange it if you ask nicely and it still looks new.

The underwater one goes "quack", but isn't very useful on the surface unless you're trying to attract ducks.

The above water one produces a shriek that will make your ears bleed, but doesn't do anything underwater.

Terry

I just came back from the Similans and had the chance to test out my new ScubAlert
signalling device [and my girlfriend's].

From what I have read, the ScubAlert is supposed to give out a loud blast, at around 120db or so. But my unit [brand new], while 'quacked' fine, just does not sound loud enough to make me uncomfortable, let alone having to duck my head u/w like some folks suggest. I never got the blast I was anticipating for. The most times I tried it was on the surface with the inflator hose held up high in the air, with about 30-50 bars left in the tank. I tried giving short squirts and also a good 3-5 second press/hold on the inflator button - sounded pretty much the same... One of the dives I had about 130 bars, no different in sound.

To make sure that my unit is not faulty, I asked my girlfriend to use hers, and it sounded the same, and she consistently ends her dives with about 30-40 bars more air than me. We both use Oceanic's OceanPro BCD.

Do we have anything to worry about, or does the 'low-pitched' quacking sound carry pretty far on the surface?

Thanks,

 

[300bar]

Lots of noise for less $$

http://www.markwort.com/featured/storm.asp

 

[Web Monkey]

A whistle is nice to have in case you're out of air for the air horn, but the air horn is really loud, and will attract attention from very far away.

It's hard to describe how loud it is, except to say that the manual recommends submerging your head before pressing the button, and they're not exagerating.

It's very small and light and I never dive in large bodies of water without it.

Terry

Lots of noise for less $$

http://www.markwort.com/featured/storm.asp

 

[Damselfish]

There are two of them and you both got the wrong one. The dealer might exchange it if you ask nicely and it still looks new.

The underwater one goes "quack", but isn't very useful on the surface unless you're trying to attract ducks.

The above water one produces a shriek that will make your ears bleed, but doesn't do anything underwater.

Terry

You're thinking of the separate ones. This is a different one that is supposed to work both places. Nice in theory but I've heard before they really don't work that well. I'd say return it since it doesn't work as advertised, and get DiveAlerts for above water. Don't bother with an UW quacker I have one and find it pretty useless. If you really need to make noise, bang something metal like a knife butt or carbiner on your tank. But try not to make a habit of it, it drives other people nuts...