Scuba diver's Personal Locator Beacon - how never to be lost at sea
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I agree with chief, the old life-line has a VFH voice radio that you can use to chat to the boat and is a Big plus. I also really like old Life line ever since I seen Aldora use it last year. Full disclosure have one. EDIT " The question is if the new life life GPS only is worth having. . I think so but most disagree. " END EDIT I just purchased the new GPS life-line for the wife since it is a one button operation and it is less likely to flood (no USB or speaker or mic that are the weak links and are probable source of flooding ) and its is easy!
(EDIT NOW SOLD OUT) BTW you can STILL get a "Body Glove Life Line" (Made by Nautilus, warranty and instructions by Nautilus... and is exactly the same as a Nautilus Original Life Line but with just a body glove logo stencil) on Amazon for about $214 www.amazon.com/Body-Glove-Lifeline-Handheld-Radio/dp/B00BF9Y0U6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475189176&sr=8-1&keywords=Body+glove+life+line .
The concept of operations for the PLB1 (and by that any 406MHZ beacon) is different than a VHF distress System.
The PLB1 is a Satellite transmitter and the signal need to travel thousands of miles (thus 5 watts). That signal gets relayed to a Rescue Center operations in the US. That Rescue Center operations lookup your location and forwards your distress to the nearest Coast Guard, Navel, Search and Rescue in the area. They are the ones that will perform the Rescue. Your dive boat or live aboard will NOT receive your distress beacon. A Coast Guard Cutter, Navy ship or Search and rescue helicopter probably is performing the rescue.
The original Nautilus life line has a full-fledged VFH (though 1 watt) radio for voice communication PLUS the Automatic Identification System / Digital Selective Calling (AIS/DSC) distress message with GPS (ie. distress button). The new life-line has only the AIS/DSC distress with GPS. The voice and distress message is sent only to VHF Marine radios within its broadcast range. The VHF Voice realistically has about a 3 mile range to a dive boat (unless there receiving antenna is mounted high) because of Line of sight. The main limiting factor of the height of the diver antenna above water. The AIS/DSC distress on this unit realistically has about an 8-10 mile range (though they claim 34 miles). Now here is the difference in the recovery: every boat that has a VHF radio will receive the AIS/DSC message along with the your GPS coordinates. This includes YOUR dive boat or live-aboard. THEY will be probably be the ones performing the rescue. Once back on board your dive boat they will call the coast guard on channel 16 and inform them you have been rescued and no other resources will be expended. The concept here is YOUR dive boat (live aboard...) is performing the rescue (especially if they are missing a diver!). Your dive boat (or another dive boat) should well be in range of this broadcast and should be the one that picks you up.
The PLB1 is a GREAT device and provides World Wide coverage and will get you rescued, maybe even getting a helicopter ride. Down side it is not dive depth certified and needs an external case.
I just want want to get back to my dive boat.
Al
(EDIT NOW SOLD OUT) BTW you can STILL get a "Body Glove Life Line" (Made by Nautilus, warranty and instructions by Nautilus... and is exactly the same as a Nautilus Original Life Line but with just a body glove logo stencil) on Amazon for about $214 www.amazon.com/Body-Glove-Lifeline-Handheld-Radio/dp/B00BF9Y0U6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475189176&sr=8-1&keywords=Body+glove+life+line .
The concept of operations for the PLB1 (and by that any 406MHZ beacon) is different than a VHF distress System.
The PLB1 is a Satellite transmitter and the signal need to travel thousands of miles (thus 5 watts). That signal gets relayed to a Rescue Center operations in the US. That Rescue Center operations lookup your location and forwards your distress to the nearest Coast Guard, Navel, Search and Rescue in the area. They are the ones that will perform the Rescue. Your dive boat or live aboard will NOT receive your distress beacon. A Coast Guard Cutter, Navy ship or Search and rescue helicopter probably is performing the rescue.
The original Nautilus life line has a full-fledged VFH (though 1 watt) radio for voice communication PLUS the Automatic Identification System / Digital Selective Calling (AIS/DSC) distress message with GPS (ie. distress button). The new life-line has only the AIS/DSC distress with GPS. The voice and distress message is sent only to VHF Marine radios within its broadcast range. The VHF Voice realistically has about a 3 mile range to a dive boat (unless there receiving antenna is mounted high) because of Line of sight. The main limiting factor of the height of the diver antenna above water. The AIS/DSC distress on this unit realistically has about an 8-10 mile range (though they claim 34 miles). Now here is the difference in the recovery: every boat that has a VHF radio will receive the AIS/DSC message along with the your GPS coordinates. This includes YOUR dive boat or live-aboard. THEY will be probably be the ones performing the rescue. Once back on board your dive boat they will call the coast guard on channel 16 and inform them you have been rescued and no other resources will be expended. The concept here is YOUR dive boat (live aboard...) is performing the rescue (especially if they are missing a diver!). Your dive boat (or another dive boat) should well be in range of this broadcast and should be the one that picks you up.
The PLB1 is a GREAT device and provides World Wide coverage and will get you rescued, maybe even getting a helicopter ride. Down side it is not dive depth certified and needs an external case.
I just want want to get back to my dive boat.
Al
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Kevrumbo
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There is no guarantee -especially in foreign waters or even in remote areas of offshore US waters- that anyone else will be monitoring a marine VHF radio to hear your voice or automated digital distress AIS/DSC transceiver signal should your diveboat lose radio communications with you on your VHF Nautilus Lifeline for whatever reason.
On the other hand, a working activated registered PLB picked up by the COSPAS/SarSat Network is constantly monitored and continuously updates rescuers where you are and who you are. Your emergency contact that you designate per your PLB registration confirms to rescue authorities that you are offshore and should provide a general day-to-day travel itinerary of where you planned to be diving (similar to a back-up log/manifest like a Pilot's Flight Plan or Sailor's Float Plan). Additionally if you are a US Citizen this Emergency Contact could also be following-up by notifying the US Embassy of the particular offshore foreign country waters you are lost in.
IMO of last resort, this is your last best chance of rescue when all other forms of distress signaling fails:
On the other hand, a working activated registered PLB picked up by the COSPAS/SarSat Network is constantly monitored and continuously updates rescuers where you are and who you are. Your emergency contact that you designate per your PLB registration confirms to rescue authorities that you are offshore and should provide a general day-to-day travel itinerary of where you planned to be diving (similar to a back-up log/manifest like a Pilot's Flight Plan or Sailor's Float Plan). Additionally if you are a US Citizen this Emergency Contact could also be following-up by notifying the US Embassy of the particular offshore foreign country waters you are lost in.
IMO of last resort, this is your last best chance of rescue when all other forms of distress signaling fails:
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Agree, but not what I am trying to prevent. I expect my dive operator to be looking for me. I am not diving on my lonesome on my own boat.
The plb1 406mz satellite beacon is the way to go if you are in the middle of nowhere, no doubt in my mind.
Edit Add
I like the original life line I have but I am reconsidering a refund on the new model. Maybe the wife can carry a PLB1.
End edit
Al
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True, but remember the Mau incident where the boat went down. No boat, no body looking.
And as to the question of the old Lifeline, I like mine because I don't have to wait until it is an emergency to use it. That is the cool thing.
My thinking is if it IS an emergency, the PLB is the be all, end all. The ONLY advantage I see in the new life line without voice, it will immediately alert boats and probably the cruise ships and Port Captain rather than waiting for the information to pass from the Sat people down through to Cozumel. I think in Coz the new lifeline will probably set off someone's radio. I think Dave said they could hit his tower downtown with it on voice from the north end? But it is a maybe vs a definite.
Also when my DM's last lifeline failed, it would turn on in emergency mode. She didn't mention anyone following up with her about it or calling to check on her.
Dan
Contributor
Obviously, I did not try that, but assuming the horizon is only 2.9 miles and you have line of site, maybe?
If we assume the lifeline is 1 foot above the water and the boat antenna is 10, they have a five mile line of sight. I would guess if line of sight is the most important thing, then probably?
Apparently that is most important. I found:
"How much difference does increased transmit power make? Very little on the range of the communications. ICOM states that by switching from one watt to three watts of output you may gain 10 percent in range, but your battery life is dramatically reduced when you transmit at high power. "
and
"Handhelds are limited to a transmit power of six watts, compared to 25 watts for fixed-mount radios. Remember, VHF range is more dependent on antenna height and antenna gain than on transmit power, so you can add significantly to your range by connecting an external antenna or by transmitting from the highest location available. For normal handheld use (at five-watt transmit power), figure on a 3-8 mile range from a small boat, compared to 15-20 miles with a fixed-mount radio (at 25 watt transmit power.)"
Apparently 1 watt is also the standard low power setting on new boat radios for communicating with a boat near you.
Dan
Contributor
Thanks for the info. So, the 35 mile range mentioned by Nautilus Lifeline webpage is misleading.
Well, maybe it has to do with data transmission vs voice? Maybe the alert will go further?
I was thinking if the life line was attached to the top of your smb? Higher=more range??? I'm sure that is too easy, or there is some inherent problem that I can't see.... but if not then the signal can be boosted so to speak
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