PLBs Can Save Your Life

[Clayton122]

That's the One-watt Nautilus. If you can't see a boat, they probably won't get the line of sight signal. My Five-watt PLB hits the satellite system within two minutes on every test.

So would you consider the nautilus to be, mostly a gimmick?

 

[-JD-]

You can get a strobe that is rated for deeper than you will ever need and just stick it in a
pocket. AQ-4 MkII Strobe Light I Jotron I Your Communication Partner

But the ACR ResQLink has a strobe too, not sure how it impact the battery life or how good the strobe is.

Some TekTite options from the other thread - Search and Rescue - Lasers and Signaling Devices

It seems to be that a good Visible Light strobe is probably the best (first-)choice for a light-based device ...

I had already picked up a TekTite Mark LED Strobe to always ride in my pocket with my SMB & spool (while in big-water anyway)
- reasonably compact (5.75"), 300m rated, 1mi+ visibility, AA battery (11+ hrs w/ Akaline & 20+ hrs w/ 1.5V Energizer Lithiums)
- includes a velcro strap, but I put on a plastic clip w/ a split-ring (left over from some dive accessory) so I can clip it to the top of my SMB
TekTite Strobe-Lite
View attachment 511582

I figured that that was good-enough to get found by my boat if separated on a night-dive, but given recent events, I'm considering getting something with more burn time ...

TekTite also makes a 3-AA version that is about twice as long (9.75"), but rated for 300+ hours
- BONUS it is half the price @ $23. I really can't understand why (and the relative price factor is about the same from Tek-Tite.com directly) although I wonder if there is something about the LED/difuser panel insert that is somehow "less"
Tektite Mark III LED Strobe
View attachment 511583

Size comparison:
View attachment 511584

 

[Dan]

So would you consider the nautilus to be, mostly a gimmick?

I certainly don’t. I have both PLB1 & Nautilus. Each has its advantages & disadvantages.

PLB response could be delayed due to how the alert is transmitted, received & relayed. It’ll go to first to SAR satellites (some satellites, like LEOSAR may not be immediately above you, but it will orbit over your head every 90 minutes), then to Local user terminal then rebroadcast to Mission Control Center where NOAA would screen for possible false alarm or legitimate before forwarding the data to Rescue Coordination Center, which relay the data to the local SAR (USCG or Navy) to mobilize the rescue efforts.

Especially in 3rd world countries with minimal to non existence SAR services, you may not get help for days or never. However, if there are plenty of boats around to receive the VHF distress message, the Nautilus would get an immediate response.

I have been liveaboard diving all over the world. 6 out of 12 liveaboards I have been in (Spoilsport in GBR, Argo in Cocos, Nautilus Undersea in Socorro, Galápagos Master, Palau Aggressor, Maldives Aggressor) provide Nautilus for divers at free of charge. If it’s a gimmick, why would they do that?

There are 2 other liveaboards that carry similar Personal AIS Beacon that I plan to go on diving trip with them:
1. Amira to Raja Ampat, Indonesia, in January 2020. They issue ENOS for every divers on the boat.
2. Ferox to Malpelo, Colombia, date TBD
They issue McMurdo SmartFind S10, I think.

 

[DandyDon]

So would you consider the nautilus to be, mostly a gimmick?

I suppose it has some utility, but far less than claimed. You won't get the range they claim trying to talk to boats. If I ever have an emergency, I want the 5 watts of my PLB and more that it offers.

After my first international dive trip, I started getting concerned about even the boat getting lost, so I bought a couple of walky-talkies that operate on boat channels. They can transmit on 1 watt or temporarily on 5 watt. I even tried taking one on trips, but didn't see that they'd help really. I should see if they still get sold on ebay and list them.

 

[Dan]

For those who are still wondering whether PLB is useful to have in 3rd world country like Indonesia, @Luxe miles diver posted this (post #162 in Canadian diver and buddy rescued near Apo Island, Philippines)

Signal of plb will go through in indonesia. Rescue time depend on the location of the military.

Case :
I went diving in manado area with my plb1 in a plastic waterproof flexible case. Upon surfacing, 15 min later i realized the plb was activated accidentally (due to pressure at depth). Since the antenna of the plb was not deployed and it was only less then 30 min of accidental activation? I did not think much of it (i thought for sure signal would not have gone through as antenna was not deployed and not much time was activated and went on our 2nd dive) (Activation was near resort dive site)

Upon return to land. We saw indonesian military personel at the resort (we thought it was routine inspection for that area). That was maybe less then 2 hour after discovery of the accidental activation. (Manado military have to take boat from mainland to resort island. 20 min away from mainlaind)

Later when we turn on our cell phone (cell phone reception signal only on land near resort) we we shocked to get many missed call, texts, and emails from our family emmergency contact. The message was : jakarta sar detected an activation of your plb near manado. North american Sar Contacted emmergency contact and verify situation. Family Emmergency contact said we were diving in indonesia and cannot reach us. North american SAR told our emmergency contact that jakarta said military was notified!!

That was when we panicked and realized that the plb1 is so powerful that even with the antenna down, and short activation time, the plb satellite signal actually went through! We frantically called NA sar and notified of the accidental activation. (Our family was panicking as they thought something happened to us)

After that trip we bought a proper hard case dive canister for the plb.

 

[guruboy]

Has anyone mentioned PLB rental yet?

PLB Rental - ACR ResQlink and RescueMe PLB1 rentals

 

[seeker242]

When the El Faro freighter went down in a hurricane a few years ago the non-GPS EIPRB didn't last long enough to get a fix. They detected it, but when the next sat passed over it was gone.

Because it malfunctioned. It was only transmitting for less than 30 minutes. Most likely not due to the battery capacity.

 

[J-Vo]

If the coast guard or national park service or local agencies consider you "negligent" here you will probably get billed. Or if the 911 call was frivolous.
For instance, you set off hiking into the grand canyon in flip flops, couldn't walk out due to blisters, and then called for a rescue. If you break your ankle hiking or skiing in the French alps and need extraction you will get a bill - even if you aren't negligent.

Saying rescue is always free is not accurate.

^^^This.

If they deem it to be your negligence that caused you to need rescue, that's not part of their budget. This applies to things like breaking your pelvis while mountain biking on public land (don't ask how I know). I would assume also solo scuba diving.

 

[DandyDon]

Ok, so in some rare instances one might be billed for SAR. Usually not so I am not impressed with SAR insurance, but by all means - if you think it's a good idea to have it, go for it. DAN top dive insurance plan available in some states includes it. Some Spot subscriptions include it. Whoopee.

 

[rjack321]

Because it malfunctioned. It was only transmitting for less than 30 minutes. Most likely not due to the battery capacity.

Being in a worst sector of a hurricane with massive 40+ft waves certainly didn't help!​

Ok, so in some rare instances one might be billed for SAR. Usually not so I am not impressed with SAR insurance, but by all means - if you think it's a good idea to have it, go for it. DAN top dive insurance plan available in some states includes it. Some Spot subscriptions include it. Whoopee.

I don't know what the DAN "SAR" insurance covers. But in the USA if you call 911 for an ambulance because you are in anaphylactic shock from a bee sting - you will get a bill for the ride to the hospital. I know you think getting billed for a rescue is rare, but I think you would be surprised how often public agencies recoup their expenses by billing the patient/rescuee.