PLBs and DSMBs

[rmorgan]

The most recent run of lost divers and upcoming Fiji and PNG liveaboards have tipped the scales for me in terms of some form of signalling devices for my wife and me.

I've done my best to absorb the various threads on the Board, but haven't been able to cram enough understanding in my brain to make a decision. . First, would it increase the likelihood of success if she and I to have two different devices? Related, I know that some divers use both Nautilus and PLB. Is that primarily redundancy, which I fully embrace, or more?

Anyway, I've tentatively narrowed it to the Lifeline or the ResQLink View, which requires a canister. Am I missing something, and would one of each (vs two of either) make sense?

Thanks, as always.

 

[Jeff_O]

If uncovered TEST button on the plb presses unintentionally up against anything it my run down the battery. I have purposely shimmed in place a plb inside waterproof container with space provided to not have button pressed. If you read about someone who stuffs a plb in a back pack and later needed it and the battery was dead, you are reading what got me thinking about uw container. I didn't have this happen to me, but in a review saw it after I already had made the purchase.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

The most recent run of lost divers and upcoming Fiji and PNG liveaboards have tipped the scales for me in terms of some form of signalling devices for my wife and me.

I've done my best to absorb the various threads on the Board, but haven't been able to cram enough understanding in my brain to make a decision. . First, would it increase the likelihood of success if she and I to have two different devices? Related, I know that some divers use both Nautilus and PLB. Is that primarily redundancy, which I fully embrace, or more?

Anyway, I've tentatively narrowed it to the Lifeline or the ResQLink View, which requires a canister. Am I missing something, and would one of each (vs two of either) make sense?

Thanks, as always.

Reviving this post, but I’m curious what you ended up with, as I’ve done the same as you. I’m still torn on PLB v Nautilus v Garmin v whatever the “newest/greatest/comes with the Happy Meal” is.

TIA

Erik

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

All of this fits nicely into my Dryfob XL, AF signal Mirror, Whistle, 15ft of paracord and ACR / PLB RescueLink 400. For tropical diving, the DryFob goes into the starboard rear trim pocket of my BC (yes it zips closed) and I keep a full pint of fresh water on the port side.

For cold water (drysuit) diving I use the Large HOG utility pocket to store the Dryfob on the port side of the top cam strap.

 

[Jeff_O]

All of this fits nicely into my Dryfob XL, AF signal Mirror, Whistle, 15ft of paracord and ACR / PLB RescueLink 400. For tropical diving, the DryFob goes into the starboard rear trim pocket of my BC (yes it zips closed) and I keep a full pint of fresh water on the port side.

For cold water (drysuit) diving I use the Large HOG utility pocket to store the Dryfob on the port side of the top cam strap.

I could imagine that the test button that is left uncovered on the plb could easily be pressed by other contents in any container

I heard of a review on REI mention that a plb ran the battery dead by the uncovered test button, that was stuffed in a back pack.

What to do? I have placed my own shim material to hold the plb from moving and a gap leaving the test button guarded.

I have not had a chance to use my dry fob and prior did the shimming for a small pelican case. It was not for scuba diving depths, but windsurfing.

I came across similar problem with many other battery powered devices.

Just think of a cell phone of a friend of mine, that was on a car seat and button or screen sensor calls me up. Car noise is heard, but no one answers. Only later go to finding out how that happened.

I would think the cover that goes over the red alert button would be enough to think you also need one over the test button too.

I mentioned this to plb manufacturer and here on occasion. Just when I saw so much in the container I decided to post this.

The round sides of the container could possibly keep the test button from being pressed as it could create a space that might press up against the sides of the plb. Preferably I think padding with a recessed cut out would be more advisable unless there is another fix.

It has to be understood that I am mentioning what I have done so far. I wish mostly that the problem as I have read about with test button, was something that would be addressed by an engineer from the plb manufacturer.

I am not expecting this as I have already been though that.

Thoughts?

 

[Allen-1]

DryFob XL, stowed in left zipped pocket of BC, short tethered clips for cannister and top, so that I can try to retain while/after extracting content(s).

RescueME PLB1 with tether - note the hinged tab covering both the Test and Activate buttons.

Mirror, whistle and recently added (2) boltsnaps with about 8 feet of cord connecting them.

 

[lairdb]

I wish mostly that the problem as I have read about with test button, was something that would be addressed by an engineer from the plb manufacturer.

Thoughts?

There are always design/utility tradeoffs, and they are designing for a pretty wide market. We can wish for improvements that align with our needs, but meanwhile we work with what we have.

Like @NW Dive Dawg I have a PLB (ACR 375+), mirror, and whistle stuffed into one of @Jaan ’s canisters. The canister lives in an old mesh mask pouch, along with a small strobe and a dye marker, shoved around the back of the harness.

 

[Jeff_O]

There are always design/utility tradeoffs, and they are designing for a pretty wide market. We can wish for improvements that align with our needs, but meanwhile we work with what we have.

Like @NW Dive Dawg I have a PLB (ACR 375+), mirror, and whistle stuffed into one of @Jaan ’s canisters. The canister lives in an old mesh mask pouch, along with a small strobe and a dye marker, shoved around the back of the harness.

View attachment 894456

Lairdb shows picture with the same plb you, not Nw dive dawg. So, I looked on REI and found not just the one report about dead battery but also another I was thinking is this for real. Mounted on a back pack exterior when laying down back pack it pushed the button cover down enough to cause alert and rescue team. Though this person sad there was no off switch. Actually if you press the rescue red button soon enough a second time, I believe it can cancel a rescue alert. If this is correct then some of this is on the user. If not informed about this he plb's that may not use any covers or only for an emergency cover, or scratch my head, a cover not rigid enough to prevent battery going dead when inadvertently drained unbenounced to the user, things can go not quite right. I have not had the time yet to see how I would use the waterproof container that is not transparent as was the Pelican box for my PLB. Originally PLB's were only allowed for fisherman and others in Florida and Alaska, except for Aviation. So many false alarms had happened with aircraft being inside a hanger unattended and some how need a rescue. Anyone know when that was the case and details why this was said?

 

[lairdb]

Incidentally (not sure when the design changed) but the ACR 375 covers both test and activate buttons.

 

[lairdb]

Incidentally #2: I see some discussion earlier in the thread about time-to-launch concerns on PLBs. I think these are fair concerns, though for me the net choice is still a PLB.

In re. possibly reducing time-to-launch: PLB registration is easy to update (in the US at least) and includes a generous comment area. My registration comment includes that I take it diving, list some areas where I commonly dive, and when I go on unusual trips (e.g. liveaboard) I add a line with dates, areas, and specific operator contact info.