Safety Sausage deployment

[ONESPEED]

what does EPIRB stand for? Is that a tracking device by satelite?

I'm skimming, so my apologies if anyone already addressed this.

Emergency position indicating radiobeacons (EPIRBs), will save your ass. A very underrated piece of equipment in the world of diving.

 

[String]

EPIRBs are good for a last resort "oh **** im lost" scenario. However the vast majority of situations involve a temporary separation from the boat which is very nearby and are not emergencies. Most situations just require a surface marker to be seen, followed and recovered.
An EPIRB *will* trigger a full search and rescue operation and cost a lot of money. Not really what you want when you are surfacing from a drift dive to a nearby boat thats expecting you.

 

[ONESPEED]

EPIRBs are good for a last resort "oh **** im lost" scenario. However the vast majority of situations involve a temporary separation from the boat which is very nearby and are not emergencies. Most situations just require a surface marker to be seen, followed and recovered.
An EPIRB *will* trigger a full search and rescue operation and cost a lot of money. Not really what you want when you are surfacing from a drift dive to a nearby boat thats expecting you.

That would depend entirely on the situation, wouldn't it? I see absolutely no down side to having one.

 

[moneysavr]

Yes EPIRBs are a great thing,for a boat/ship IMO,and are required by law on passenger vessels
in a sinking as they auto activate & deploy or other at sea emergencies.
I can just see the USCG deploying for some guy that turns his on in a non test period and relates to the flashing strobe as some 60's disco thing or lost his boat in a multi mooring area in the FL Keys! As said its is a dangerous thing and lives are at stake to do a false search or recovery!
I think they have their place and proper marker equipment,SS,Markers,Glow sticks,Noise makers are far less technical,and costly and if used properly get you out of a bind if you and your top crew plan your dive and dive your plan! other wise you don't or they don't belong out there=IMO!

 

[AfterDark]

For solo diving I use my old SeaLife reefmaster camera housing to take along my cell phone and my personal waterproof GPS. Using the surface float/flag I'm required to tote along by law I can keep the cell phone out of the water to use it to call for help, or the GPS to get back to the egress point at night if need be.
A SS is something I bought for the few times I do charters. I'll rarely carry it. I also wear a whistle on my wet suit zipper (old wetsuit). A cell phone can be tracked and I can give my GPS position on the fly as long as the phone stays dry which depends on my handling. Hope
I never use it.

 

[ONESPEED]

For solo diving I use my old SeaLife reefmaster camera housing to take along my cell phone and my personal waterproof GPS. Using the surface float/flag I'm required to tote along by law I can keep the cell phone out of the water to use it to call for help, or the GPS to get back to the egress point at night if need be.
A SS is something I bought for the few times I do charters. I'll rarely carry it. I also wear a whistle on my wet suit zipper (old wetsuit). A cell phone can be tracked and I can give my GPS position on the fly as long as the phone stays dry which depends on my handling. Hope
I never use it.

O-ring sealed Pelican cases work nicely too.

 

[Web Monkey]

I got a six foot smb. But what does EPIRB stand for? Is that a tracking device by satelite?

Yep. You push the button and the Coast Guard (or whatever is in your area) finds you and picks you up.

It's not something you want to set off unless there is no other alternative, since they tend to not have a really good sense of humor if they think you're screwing with them, and may file charges or send you a bill.

However, if you're really lost, it's supposed to be very cool.

Terry

 

[String]

The bulk, maintenance cost and reliability are downsides. If diving in very remote places then fair enough. If not then they become a factor. In most cases proper use of a DSMB is enough without requiring a full scale internationally co-ordinated search and rescue.

 

[Edward3c]

Dont forget ScotSAC,SAA and other agencies all teach DSMB deployment in core training as well, its not just the domain of BSAC.

I know in the UK some PADI instructors teach it, but is it listed in the core training syllabus. Not being a ScotSAC, SAA or other agency member I can't give the lesson reference from their core syllabus, can you? It might be useful for the article.

Edward

 

[AfterDark]

O-ring sealed Pelican cases work nicely too.

Is that good to 200 feet? I take it down with me as I don't trust the yahoos around here not to take it from the float. SOBs