8 Missing Divers!

[Papa Bear]

Link to news story!
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national%20news/2008/04/28/153888/No-trace.htm

Some are reporting they have been found, but I can't find conformation?

[acelockco]

"THE BLACK TIDE" sounds bad....I hope they did find them.

[Papa Bear]

The local stations there are reporting 6 of the 8 found and hospitalized? Nothing confirmed.

[Papa Bear]

According to local news all 8 were found. They had drifted the opposite direction underwater and used the Camera Strobes to alert a Helicopter. Good News!
:D

[acelockco]

Strobes, GREAT IDEA! We use strobes attached to the anchor line so we can find our way back when diving in New Jersey, I have always thought it might be a good idea to have a small one on me while diving, especially good for a night dive! They are fairly inexpensive and pretty small as well.

I have also seen them used inside larger wrecks rather than using a reel for large areas to mark the exit.

[Papa Bear]

These were the expensive ones, they were with the cameras!;) :rolleyes:

[acelockco]

I know, but what I am saying is that any decent strobe would be a great thing to have in that situation. It might be something boat or night divers should consider having.

[thalassamania]

I know, but what I am saying is that any decent strobe would be a great thing to have in that situation. It might be something boat or night divers should consider having.A rescue strobe is a normal part of my emergency kit.

[hbh2oguard]

A rescue strobe is a normal part of my emergency kit.

It's not that it should be a part of an emergency kit but standard equipment. I have one attached to my bc on all dives, day or night. It's small and I don't really notice it, and they really aren't that expensive.

[thalassamania]

It's not that it should be a part of an emergency kit but standard equipment. I have one attached to my bc on all dives, day or night. It's small and I don't really notice it, and they really aren't that expensive.Everything in my emergency kit is "standard." It goes on every dive with me. It is a pouch that contains, at a minimum: strobe, small flashlight, 2 x red rocket flare, 2 x hand flare, 2 x red smoke, 2 x dye packs, signal mirror, safety sausage, and whistle.

[The Publisher]

Thal, could you post a photo of your kit, both wrapped up and opened for all the contents to be seen in their respective places?

I think it is a smart idea, but I want to make it as small as possible and don't know how you do it.

[hbh2oguard]

Everything in my emergency kit is "standard." It goes on every dive with me. It is a pouch that contains, at a minimum: strobe, small flashlight, 2 x red rocket flare, 2 x hand flare, 2 x red smoke, 2 x dye packs, signal mirror, safety sausage, and whistle.

oh that very extensive, I assumed your emergency kit is something would would stay on board or on shore. Like the pub asked a pic would be great!

[thalassamania]

oh that very extensive, I assumed your emergency kit is something would would stay on board or on shore. Like the pub asked a pic would be great!Not at all, but you've got me a bit paniced, I can't find my camera (not the first time).

It all goes in a pouch that's about 8 x 4 inches that I hang on the bottom of backpack. I currently have two Skyblazer Diver's Flares: (http://www.botachtactical.com/skybscub3fla.html)
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/botach_1999_451729077
I've wrapped them top and bottom with 3M Self Vulcanizing Tape, an arrangement that I've Tested down to 200 feet. I also have two similarly packaged hand held flares and smokes. Here are the dye packs I use. I keep them in doubled up heavy duty ziplocks:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/safetycentral_1995_340571319

Add a compass, two glowsticks, a little flashlight, a strobe, a whistle, a mirror and a thin safety sausage finishes it out.

There are some waterproof lasers out now that I'm considering, but they are only rated to 80 feet.
http://www.equipped.com/GRAPHICS/3Rescue%20Lasers%20turned%20on.jpg

And if I can get one to test, I'd consider a little pressure housing for a Aquafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locater Beacon:
https://is7.eporia.com/company_86/48551.jpg?qlt=50&cell=220&cvt=jpeg
which would replace all the duplicate stuff in the bag.

[thalassamania]

Can't make it happen, if you want to see an older picture of the pack:

where the *s are S*C*U*B*A*B*O*A*R*D without the *s.

http://www.**********.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/96598/ppuser/60034

[hbh2oguard]

The pic didn't look like it would be all that bulky. So do the flares last longer with the tape because on the flares site it say it only last up to 20 dives to 130ft?

[hbh2oguard]

so here one with it's own little pack but I don't see a price
http://www.botachtactical.com/skybscubsigp.html

[Papa Bear]

Good luck flying with that! :( :eek:

[thalassamania]

The pic didn't look like it would be all that bulky. So do the flares last longer with the tape because on the flares site it say it only last up to 20 dives to 130ft?It's a self-vulcanizing tape that we use on underwater cables. I've used taken these flares (so treated) down to 200 feet and then tested them.

so here one with it's own little pack but I don't see a price
http://www.botachtactical.com/skybscubsigp.htmlLooks like a good start, a price I'm sure would help.

Good luck flying with that! :( :eek:That's a good point. I frankly had not thought about it. The flares in their pouch, attached to my BC, in a gear bag, have flown, quite literally, hundreds of times and never been questioned (but then I did not bring them up either).

[hbh2oguard]

so with the tape do they last longer than 20 dives?

[thalassamania]

so with the tape do they last longer than 20 dives?Yes, I blow them off every 4th of July, and they've always worked. I have a flare that I've been saving, it's been in my BC pocket (with tape) for almost 1,000 dives. When it hits 1,000 I'll test it and report back.

[Papa Bear]

Can't wait till the fourth!

[bottlefish]

I spent New Years on yacht in Bequia a few years back. Our skipper, along with a whole heap of others, let off their old and expired rocket flares during the evening. A disturbing amount shattered once set off, and flew in a non to reliable way, horizontally through the crowds on the beach, hitting masts, dinghies and the like or just fizzing a few feet from where they were launched.

Not entirely safe, but made for some hilarious, if some what frantic and impromptu dance moves! :)

[Papa Bear]

Hey do they have the Fourth of July in England?

[thalassamania]

Hey do they have the Fourth of July in England?Er ... the 4th celebrates whose victory over whom?

They have Guy Fawkes Day instead.

[Papa Bear]

I am sorry, but it falls between the 3rd and the 5th even in england! Every one has the fourth!:p :eek: :D

[acelockco]

Er ... the 4th celebrates whose victory over whom?

They have Guy Fawkes Day instead.

Guy Fawkes.....that sounds like Gay Fuc.....oh you get it.

[greenturtle]

Yeah, the flares,smoke etc are illegal in my country for civilians. But i pack a small mirror, sausage, whistle and high pitch air horn as part of my BC gear. Never pays to be prepared!

[shinek]

Folks, lets get this whole July 4th thing in context. At the time, it was a bunch of British colonials who were rebelling against an oppressive German King and his ridiculous tax demands. And we won!

To my American friends ....... you are welcome! ;)