PLBs Can Save Your Life

[Dan]

Has anyone tried using a combo like the pelican 1010 encased in a bag for their plb1? My husband is convinced this would work.

It’s only water resistant, not waterproof to certain depth. If he encases it in a waterproof bag (like one of those vacuum seal bag) it might work. He can test it by putting say 2 lb soft dive weight wrapped with paper towel in the case and take the case diving to 100’ depth and see if the paper towel gets wet after the dive.

 

[DandyDon]

Has anyone tried using a combo like the pelican 1010 encased in a bag for their plb1? My husband is convinced this would work.

What bag & why? The Pelican 1010 is water resistant, but not for depth. I had one leak on a float trip once.

If he encases it in a waterproof bag (like one of those vacuum seal bag) it might work.

I am very doubtful. If one is going to spend $300 on a PLB, saving $90 by using a Pelican case instead of a rated dive canister would probably fail.

 

[2stoned]

The CustomDivers canister seems to have shown to not always stay watertight, according to several posts on this forum. Not good.
- Wondering if the various PLB's would survive if exposed to the pressure of depth (leaking canister) if packed in waterproof bags!
The OceanSignal PLB1 with the flap over the buttons may not have a problem.
In case that your canister or box floods, keeping the electronics in a sealed bag might be a good idea.

 

[DandyDon]

The CustomDivers canister seems to have shown to not always stay watertight, according to several posts on this forum. Not good.

All camera cases and dive canisters are going to leak in time. Your best chances come from replacing o-rings every year or two and using silicone grease on o-rings as needed. Water may ruin a camera when its case leaks (never happened to me, but the saying goes that they all do in time), but not a PLB if the o-ring minimizes the flow to prevent pressure build up. It'd be wise to check it every day; I didn't on my last trip then found it full of water on the last day, but the PLB went on to pass testing when I had the battery replaced the following month. I also purchased a couple of new o-rings and made a note to work at lubbing better.

I don't see a plastic bag as adding benefit, but I guess it wouldn't hurt anything to try.

 

[2stoned]

OUPS!
It appears that the PLB1 may activate at depth when in a soft bag.
This entry: Best signaling devices from the searcher’s point of view - update
- Describes such an incident. Activated at depth and transmitted emergency signal even with antennae folded.
Button pressed by pressure on the flap? Maybe gluing an o-ring around the buttons or on the flap might prevent this.
Did like the idea of vacuum-packing PLB, flares, signal laser, candy etc.
- Make a handy roll up packet that would not be several pounds buoyant under water.

 

[2stoned]

Just thinking... (Antennae and device needs to be above water)
So unless you want to be holding your MRG + PLB up and out of the water for many hours, - you may need a table/float of some kind.
Those surface buoys used by spear-fishers and free-divers may be an option, though the tend to be bulky when deflated.
- How about a children's swimming aid like the one on my avatar.
Put a net/goody-bag around it and you have a nice little table that stores very compact until needed.

 

[DandyDon]

Just thinking... (Antennae and device needs to be above water)
So unless you want to be holding your MRG + PLB up and out of the water for many hours, - you may need a table/float of some kind.

They weigh about 4 ounces. My ACR 2881 includes a Velcro strap that could be attached to many BCs, but I don't know how well that would aim the antenna.

- How about a children's swimming aid like the one on my avatar.
Put a net/goody-bag around it and you have a nice little table that stores very compact until needed.

Sounds excessive for something we hope to never have to use. You'd still have to ensure the PLB faces up and antenna aims up.

 

[2stoned]

You could stitch a Velcro loop on top of your hood or clip the PLB on your shoulder (generally the antennae is perpendicular to the unit).
Personally I am not to keen on having a 5W transponder that close to my noggin for that long.
When first activated these units are meant to stay on until rescue comes.
For how long can you hold your hands up, even changing hands or taking shift between divers.
A selfie-stick might be an option (could also be used to poke at the sharks or to push away jellyfish/ManOfWar).

 

[Dan]

What bag & why? The Pelican 1010 is water resistant, but not for depth. I had one leak on a float trip once.


I am very doubtful. If one is going to spend $300 on a PLB, saving $90 by using a Pelican case instead of a rated dive canister would probably fail.

I said the same thing about the Pelican 1010 being only water resistant. Please re-read my post.

I'm suggesting to try it first with paper towel in the Pelican 1010 encased in seal-a-meal vacuum bag without PLB in it. The Pelican 1010 gives the rigidity needed for protection from the crushing pressure. Apparently @Dizzi Lizzi has some success even without Pelican case.

So since I don't dive deep, and have the PLB1 I went the seal-a-meal route--sealed it and the case in one bag , then used another bag to seal again, hole punched in margin, then attached and placed in my nautilus pouch . I placed a felt pad between the unit and the "cover" so it does not get turned on accidentally if I'm deep (as what happened with you Dan_T) this method kept it dry for a weeks diving at the SB cayman brac surge. I also have the camera case but its too big and bulky, and I don't have pockets in my bc. Also just last week got my rebate .

She posted here New Nautilus Lifeline Marine Rescue GPS in post #39, page 4.

 

[Dan]

The CustomDivers canister seems to have shown to not always stay watertight, according to several posts on this forum. Not good.
- Wondering if the various PLB's would survive if exposed to the pressure of depth (leaking canister) if packed in waterproof bags!
The OceanSignal PLB1 with the flap over the buttons may not have a problem.
In case that your canister or box floods, keeping the electronics in a sealed bag might be a good idea.

I put my PLB1 in soft case as shown in post #40, page 4 of New Nautilus Lifeline Marine Rescue GPS and the crushing pressure at 104' push the red button through the flap. You will need hard case at that depth.