Safety Device- location beacon

[np251]

Hi all

One of my 'older' hobbies was some basic amateur astronomy...and in my kit box i found my green laser pointer. We used to use this for pointing out particular star etc as it has a highly visible green beam. Interestingly, they are currently being used by armed forces (both UK and you guys) in Iraq for target designation in place of tracer fire. Point is, how useful would one of these be as a location beacon if lost at night. point straight up and wave around until pick-up. Some of the better ones are visible to around 35-40 miles. It shouldnt be too difficult to waterproof one- throw it in a small otter box or something.

Just thought this might be of interest. Oh, and they cost a little short of $100.

 

[Misplaced Priority]

Where do you find them for sale?

 

[np251]

Amazon do them

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M65NM/103-0250460-5844676?v=glance&n=172282

but type 'astronomy green laser' into google and you get lots of hits.

http://www.physlink.com/estore/cart/AstroAimerGreenLaser.cfm

Also see

http://www.skypointer.net/

Although light pollution in an astronomical setting can sometimes negate use, there isnt much light pollution out on the ocean if youre floating about. Plus its pretty important to get a good one, as close to the 5mW output limit set for public use by the FDA. A final consideration is that they might dim if switched on continuosly- but a 1 min on/ 1 min off repeated pulse may be more visible anyway.

 

[np251]

A link showing their use in astronomy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfire_Optical_Range

 

[divekraz]

Safety Device, Radio. I have a suggestion. I carry a sausage, Air Alert, Mirror, Whistle, small flashlight, Bcd reflectors, Knife, on every single dive. The items are compact and everything can fit in a bcd pocket. My ultimate Safety device is a vhf radio. You can see this same suggestion that I submitted to Dive Training Feb 2006 when they suggested a ebirb as a safety device. My problem with the ebirb was the cost of close to $1,000 and that calling the coast guard by ebirb was bit drastic if boats are in the area. I bought a icom IC-m32 good to 5' depth for $150 and a otter box for $18. By putting the radio in the otter box I've taken it to 120' and on the past 30 dives with it staying dry and functionable. Personal ebirbs are very expensive and this way I can call the dive boat, any boat in the vicinity, or coast guard if it's really needed. In almost 300 dives I've never needed to use any of my safety gear but there's always the first time and it could be on the next dive so that's why I always bring everything. I always verify with the Captain/dive shop what channel they monitor and that I have the vhf in case of a problem. You can also get radios that are much cheaper and have a complete setup for under $100 but you may not have a water resistant unit, so personal choice versus cost. The otter box is a bit bulky and only fits in large pockets due to my radio size but you can get smaller radios than mine for convenience. Make sure the antenna detaches for compactness.