signaling devices?

[alicatfish]

Can you please offer some suggestions on what my dive buddy and I can use as signaling devices? I saw some gadget on scubatoys which I assume would work well, but for $19 each? Surely there is some cheaper alternative?

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

Get a Double-D snap bolt. Attach to d-rin on BC. Detach and bang on tank.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[Footslogger]

Don't have pics I can share at the moment but I built a couple that my wife and I carry.

Took a scrap piece of 3/4" pvc and cut it into 4" lengths and drilled several small holes in it. Loaded it with 1/4 ball bearings and then glued caps on the end. Drilled a hole in one end and attached a piece of nylon cord and a snaphook. Attaches to a D-ring on our BCD. Plenty loud and very cheap to make.

Not sure if the holes are of value in terms of noise but it keeps them from floating.

'Slogger

 

[MSilvia]

A whistle and SMB. Underwater, a powerful light is the best way to keep in contact. If you pay attention to your buddy, and vice versa, you shouldn't need a way to get each others' attention. Underwater noise makers, IMHO, aren't particularly helpful, and are often really obnoxious.

 

[Scuba Sciences]

May I suggest an underwater whistle. We use them and they work quite well if you are trying to avoid the honkers. They are less than $10 and available at your LDS.

Here's what they look like:

Tina
Scuba Sciences, Inc.

 

[Charlie99]

Surely there is some cheaper alternative?

YELL LOUDLY. If that doesn't work, then use the double ender per Dave Z and bang on tank. Yelling works surprisingly well, particularly if your buddy knows you do this. I've had insta-buddies that never seemed to hear me, but upon surfacing commented "Oh! That was you!".