Little nervous - should we take a navigation course?

[almitywife]

a quick google gave me this:

2005 trip report
www.zerovisibility.co.uk, Scuba diving news, reviews, tips and travel guides - Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef on the Spirit of Freedom liveaboard, Queensland, Australia
"the Spirit inisit that each diver carries an SMB (Surface marker buoy) or "Safety sausage". If you do not have one of these the Spirit will sell you a simple SMB, whistle and glow stick in a pack for $20 Australian dollars. "

 

[littleguppie]

Almitywife- this is a FANTASTIC link and great trip report. I've printed it out to read all the details. Should I purchase this SMB prior to the trip (less expensive to get it on my own?) Sounds like I can buy a kit with the SMB, whistle and glow stick, correct? Does this just hook on to my BCD somewhere?

lastly, in this link it mentions trip insurance and having insurance with the helivac included in case of emergency. Any suggestions on where to purchase this insurance for a good rate?

This board has been a lifesaver already...thank you!

 

[alcina]

Yes, buy your own SMB - a real one. Tall, wide, bright, a reflective stripe is great if you can get it. Spend a little money on this. This is the ONLY thing that a rescue team may be able to see of you...do you really want the 99 cent one?

I'd also get a surface signaling device substantially louder than a whistle. If you need it, you're going to want to make some noise.

To me, these two things are mandatory, not optional extras. I don't dive without them.

Again, when you are out there all by your little lonesome and the boat is a mere speck or the seas are so high you lose sight of it don't you want the best chance to be seen and heard possible? After participating in several search and rescues looking for people in the water I know my answer!

And a little off topic but

That's great that the law requires that .......... I think more places should (personally).

No, I don't think this should be law. I think people should take responsibility for themselves. Dive operators are not law enforcement nor should they be.

 

[mig_diver]

i believe by law you are required to carry a smb & snorkel in sunny queensland

cheers

Up here in Queensland it is mandatory that you carry a dive knife, a safety sausage, and a whistle on all dives

 

[mig_diver]

... the snorkel is a PADI thing I believe. Its not required by law up here.

 

[sarita75]

And a little off topic but

No, I don't think this should be law. I think people should take responsibility for themselves. Dive operators are not law enforcement nor should they be.

True enough but my point wasn't that the operator should be cited/fined if a person isn't in compliance, but that the individual should be. It is hard enough in most cases for operators. I agree that people should be responsible for themselves, but lets be honest, there are simply too many people that aren't or simply don't think "it would ever happen to me."

Making something required by law, in my opinion, allows a dive operator to say "It's the law" and it kind of ends any "debate" about the necessity, IMHO. But then again, I am a lawyer, so I like to follow the law.

 

[almitywife]

as alcina said above, yes get your own before you leave so you are familiar with it and you know you have it so no stressing

IF you get a smb & reel, if you cant test it out on a dive before your trip - take the opportunity to practise while youre on your trip. make sure you tell the dm before getting into the water that you want to practice so they dont panic when they see it on the surface but def take the opporunity to do it (i did over chrissy with my new smb & reel)

and i have a whistle on my bpw also - its always there so i never have to think about it

if you dont get a reel and just want the smb for when on the surface, then something like this; See Me Safety Signal Tube, Accessories-Flags, Trident, See Me Safety Signal Tube has a clip on it so you can attach it to a d-ring

cheers

edith and if you buy from scubatoys, dont forget to tell them you are a SB member and get a 10% discount

 

[alcina]

Making something required by law, in my opinion, allows a dive operator to say "It's the law" and it kind of ends any "debate" about the necessity, IMHO.

Ahh, if only it was that easy! People will argue, complain, get nasty and generally go on and on about how it's so unfair, or they didn't know or they're too good of a diver to have to follow X rule - even when it's been fully explained to them in advance and even when they have signed an agreement that they understand the local regulations. Seen it too many times The worst thing about that is that infringes on the divers who are doing the right thing on the day - no one wants to listen to some one rant before a dive!

But we digress...again LOL

I think you're going to have a wonderful time in Qld and the preparation that you do beforehand will help add to your enjoyment of the experience! Can't wait to hear all about it

 

[almitywife]

El had this whistle on his recent trip down here; Storm Whistle, Accessories: Signaling, Trident, Storm Whistle

and look, DAN's smb comes with a whistle and mirror and night stick; Dan Signal Tube, Accessories: Signaling, ScubaToys, Dan Signal Tube
it says it clips to bc but i cant see it so i would double check it

i love helping others shop!

 

[bubba105]

DAN is the insurance I use. In case anything happens to you while diving. If I didn't have the insurance, all kinds of bad things would happen to me so I take insurance so nothing happens. I think I read somewhere that DAN now provides trip insurance too, in case your expensive trip disappears, your money won't. Sounds like I work for
them I don't.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dan-divers-alert-network/