12 replies to this topic

[Scubatooth]

Going beyond mask on and reg in. I'm wondering what the members of SD carry in the way of signaling devices when they dive, and why?

In my case for the longest time i didn't carry much of anything on my rig (dive alert only) until i literally had a "Hells Bells" moment and realized that carrying a dive alert was a start but no where near close to what I needed for the conditions that i was diving in. This fact was reinforced later that summer when I was in the area where a diver disappeared never to be found, and he wasnt carrying a single signaling device.

Currently on my rig i carry 2 surface marker buoys/lift bags, 2 thumb spools, 200'+ primary reel, 10' Jon Line, 10'long by 1.5" wide length of Neon Yellow Webbing w/ 2 beaners, Dive Alert, Whistle, signal Mirror. Then also due to where i will be diving in the next couple of years and the conditions common to those areas I am considering getting a epirb satellite beacon.

IMHO

Tooth

[secretsea18]

Going beyond mask on and reg in. I'm wondering what the members of SD carry in the way of signaling devices when they dive, and why?

In my case for the longest time i didn't carry much of anything on my rig (dive alert only) until i literally had a "Hells Bells" moment and realized that carrying a dive alert was a start but no where near close to what I needed for the conditions that i was diving in. This fact was reinforced later that summer when I was in the area where a diver disappeared never to be found, and he wasnt carrying a single signaling device.

Currently on my rig i carry 2 surface marker buoys/lift bags, 2 thumb spools, 200'+ primary reel, 10' Jon Line, 10'long by 1.5" wide length of Neon Yellow Webbing w/ 2 beaners, Dive Alert, Whistle, signal Mirror. Then also due to where i will be diving in the next couple of years and the conditions common to those areas I am considering getting a epirb satellite beacon.

IMHO

Tooth

You forgot to put a torch in that overstuffed BC pocket.

What the heck is a "beaner"?

Edited by secretsea18, 16 March 2009 - 06:12 PM.

[Capn Jack]

having been on the other side - searching for people/things in the water - I would strongly urge a signal mirror - very cheap, light and be sure and take 10 minutes to learn how to use it. Without a doubt - the most visible thing in the water. I think sausage or lift bag should be an always carry, along with a whistle and a powered air signal (e.g. dive alert) Strobes are good at night - but batteries need to be changed.

I carry an EPIRB in places where current can take you pretty darn far in short order. PITA to haul around, and not cheap, but if you're off the beaten path - e.g. Palau where the next stop is New Guinea - you at least have a chance.

[scubaski]

What the heck is a "beaner"?

Garrabeaner, a mountianring clip spring loaded quick release. You see them all the time as key ring clips.

[/quote]

[secretsea18]

What the heck is a "beaner"?

Garrabeaner, a mountianring clip spring loaded quick release. You see them all the time as key ring clips.

in that case it would be a "carabiner" ..... see the all encoumpasing Wikipedia.

[Scubatooth]

yeah i forgot the torch, but i use a OMS vega 3W that is on a D Ring that is then held inplace by velcro on my harness. Actually it all doesnt go in a single place or pocket some of it is off my butt d-ring, inbetween my back and my plate, and on the right hip D-ring. My thigh pockets for the most part only have slates, gloves, and the carabiners and 10' of webbing that is daisy chained

yeah that what i meant about a beaner I just couldnt remember how to spell it when i was typing that post

[scubaski]

My shelling ducks

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

My shelling ducks

Stan, you're a kook! But, I must be one too, 'cuz I understood this!

[ScubaDadMiami]

I'm wondering what the members of SD carry in the way of signaling devices when they dive, and why?

I will have an article in an upcoming issue of Advanced Diver Magazine addressing configuration of dive equipment for survival at sea. There will be pictures and an explanation of the configuration. Check it out.

Regarding the original question, I find it interesting that the most experienced divers are the ones that are always practicing skills and sticking to accepted protocols. For those of you that do not follow this practice, do you think that they might know something that you might not?

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

This looked like a good topic to split into it's own thread. ScubaDadMiami, if that mag is online, please post a link so we can read your article! Sounds informative.

[scubaski]

Diving with my old jacket intergrated BC: SMB w/75' line on finger reel, backup Australian ballon ( a gentle breeze will fold this, better as a streamer on surface), 8aa zexon flashlight, 2aaACR strobe/light, bc knife, s/s sissors (works on molofiliment, says it'll cut nails, but never worked on a s/s fishhook), mini z knife, whisle & mirror on retractor @ chest level, usually have camera gear so Sea& Sea 110a strobe as another resource. 95% snorkle on mask. Use Airsource combo inflator/octoreg. I should buy myself a dive alert horn.

[VADiver]

On ocean dives I carry
-- a 60-lb semi-closed lift bag my storage pouch on my backplate
-- a 6' closed-circut SMB, prerigged with a 150'spool (clipped off, left pocket)
-- a backup 100' spool (clipped off, left pocket)
-- a 400' reel (clipped off to butt D-ring)
-- a whistle (clipped off, right pocket)
-- dive alert (clipped off, right pocket)
-- 18 watt HID cannister light (all dives)
-- 2 back-up lights (clipped off to harness, right and left side)

[ScubaDadMiami]

This looked like a good topic to split into it's own thread. ScubaDadMiami, if that mag is online, please post a link so we can read your article! Sounds informative.

ADM (http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/) does have an online version, and it has a print version. This article is not out yet. However, I think that ADM is a worthwhile publication for subscription even beyond my tremendous contributions. (BTW, I have no ownership or financial interest in ADM. So, I gain nothing by your decision to subscribe. I just think it's a great publication.)