Equipment Question: Use of dive light at surface in the day - for emergency signaling.

[johndiver999]

This is somewhat of an observation and also a question to others if they have considered or tried this.

Recently, I was diving in open water on a drift dive and ended up a good distance from the boat. I had a 4-ft smb up, but the boat was not seeing it. I pulled out a small (and very bright and focused) LED light and shined that at the boat. It seemed like it immediately caught their eye and they started toward me. I asked if they saw the light and they said yes.

Also, I saw the same situation (from the boat perspective). We were looking for the diver and the flash light really caught my eye. Both situations were on a pretty bright day, but there may have been some cloud cover, I really don't remember.

Have others tried signaling with the new focused LED lights at the surface? I am curious, if anyone has taken the time to do some experiments along these lines, particularly with the effective range versus seeing an smb.

I am not suggesting that a light should/could replace an SMB or obviate the need for one, because you could always drop or loose the light, or the battery could be dead etc. but if the effective signaling range is enhanced with a light, maybe this would improve safety and might even cause a change in SOP when drifting on surface.

Certainly, for open ocean drift diving, everyone should have a light, because it would be tremendously effective (in locating a lost and drifting diver) once the sun sets, but perhaps the new lights are so intense that they have good utility in the day?

Please move this post to an alternate location if necessary - I was not sure where best to place it?

 

[ZephyrNYC]

Good question. I always carry a light nowadays, even in the daytime, because there's kelp everywhere we dive here. I've never tested my light to see if it would attract the boat crew's attention but I will try it next time we go out on a boat.

 

[tridacna]

A mirror can be very effective too. Much better than you suspect.

 

[Zef]

...maybe this would improve safety and might even cause a change in SOP when drifting on surface....

That there is an SOP, you assume too much.

To "cause a change in SOP", one would need to establish an SOP in the first place.

-Z

 

[kinoons]

I believe there was an entire old thread with a SAR helo pilot talking about signal devices.

Mirrors work great during the day.

Whistles are also well worth their weight.

A strobe can be useful - can make a LED flashlight work in a pinch too.

More tools are more options. Question becomes how much do you want to carry with you.

 

[johndiver999]

A mirror can be very effective too. Much better than you suspect.

I admit that I do not carry a mirror, however it would not work on a rainy or overcast day right? I know a shiny object can be seen for MILES on a sunny day, no doubt about that,

So I pretty much know the light works when the ambient light is low, but is the range "useful" during a sunny day?

A mirror is lot cheaper than a light and has less ways to fail - so I am definitely not saying that is not a useful tool, but the fact remains that many people carry a light with them as a matter of course, so it is not "extra gear" either.

That there is an SOP, you assume too much.

To "cause a change in SOP", one would need to establish an SOP in the first place.

-Z

I'm not too sure about that. SOP when drift diving SHOULD be to deploy an SMB from depth before the final ascent to the surface.

If upon reaching the surface, IF the boat is visible and a long way off and a quick yell or whistle does not elicit a response from the capt. then an alternate method of signaling would seem warranted. That sounds somewhat like a general SOP to me; if not, it is good enough for my purposes, anyway.

 

[Scuba-guy]

I routinely use my flashlight for the boat to find me, infect I always bring and use a flashlight, and I always dive in the day.

 

[Still Kicking]

I have been in two situations where i needed to get attention of a boat at considerable distance and SMB wasn't seen (one drifting away from Darwin). In both cases, a pocket LED worked great. I always carry one.

Mirrors work too but you need sun.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @johndiver999

Interesting story.

I do quite a bit of drift diving in SE FL. In Boynton Beach, whether diving solo or with others, I generally have the dive flag and do not use my SMB. In Palm Beach and Jupiter, there is a guide in the water carrying a flag. Sometimes I ascend with the guide, other times I ascend by myself on my SMB. Usually, the pickup is relatively prompt but occasionally it takes longer. Often, when it takes longer, the boat is not visible to me when I ascend, and I would not have an idea of where to point a light. I do carry a relatively powerful light with me at all times and may consider using it if I can spot the boat and think that they may not see me. I wonder what might be more visible, constant light or the SOS flashing mode.

Out of curiosity, where were you diving when you used your light to get the attention of your boat? What is their drift diving policy regarding flags and/or SMBs?

 

[dmaziuk]

So I pretty much know the light works when the ambient light is low, but is the range "useful" during a sunny day?

How far is "useful"?