Personal Emergency GPS Beacon

[junzhang]

Well, I know this is not a scuba equipment whatsoever. But for my other activities such as hiking alone I am considering getting one of this stuff.

And I am thinking, won't it be great if I can bring it with boat dives? If equipped by such a tool, I won't be too worry about the tragedy in the movie Open Water that divers were left in the sea and no one could find..

I don't know if any of this device is designed to be waterproof to scuba diving level, anyone has any ideas?

[junzhang]

using google, I found there's a product for this:
Sea Marshall® Personal Locator Beacon

Sea Marshall PLB8 LD SOS Personal Locator Beacon - £189.00 - Scuba Dive Shop (Tony Backhurst Diving Holidays)

but this one is a 121.5Mhz beacon, I don't know if it would provide the accuracy of a GPS beacon (45m)..a bit doubt of the usefulness if the accuracy is something like 2km..

[CompuDude]

I think you're looking for an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). I've seen divers who carry them. If you get a model that's not waterproof, you'll need to put it in a housing of some sort.

[junzhang]

well yes.. I think I will prefer those which can send out GPS data rather than just radio signal for better precision for your location. For such a thing is not for everyday use but when in need the extra accuracy does count a great lot

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

I think you're looking for an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). I've seen divers who carry them. If you get a model that's not waterproof, you'll need to put it in a housing of some sort.

I think you are correct--plus, IIRC, if considering an EPIRB there was a change not too long ago concerning the frequency they are allowed to operate on, so it would be prudent to double check that aspect prior to purchase.

There is also THIS DEVICE for the purpose, but I suspect a housing is needed for it before SCUBA use.

PPM

[junzhang]

The spot doesn't sound like good idea for annue service fee of $100..

I also learned that many PLBs were designed for boats, when the submerges it triggers the alarm automatically..which doesn't sound good idea to me..

[waytooslow]

this 406 MHz GPS Personal Locator Beacon maybe in a otter box?

[Karletto]

all epirbs are buoyant, waterproof and work on 121.5mHz; at cca 10m depth it leaves the ship; if it is triggered by accident ull do scuba in a jail

[oddbod]

Originally Posted by junzhang

Well, I know this is not a scuba equipment whatsoever. But for my other activities such as hiking alone I am considering getting one of this stuff.

And I am thinking, won't it be great if I can bring it with boat dives? If equipped by such a tool, I won't be too worry about the tragedy in the movie Open Water that divers were left in the sea and no one could find..

I don't know if any of this device is designed to be waterproof to scuba diving level, anyone has any ideas?

Try these, PLBS | GME and KTi
Have used both their old styles ( well carried on bushwalks ) not 406 mhz, which is no longer maintained by the Australian government, so they have both come up with new ones. The KTI unit I used was 10 years old, never used and stored in the dash of an old Landrover, case was well marked but self test button said it was okay, so I think they are reliable, like all us Aussies. Would need an otter box or something.

[Rileybri]

Originally Posted by junzhang

The spot doesn't sound like good idea for annue service fee of $100..

I also learned that many PLBs were designed for boats, when the submerges it triggers the alarm automatically..which doesn't sound good idea to me..

Actually I use the SPOT and did some of the initial product testing of it over the past two years. Although not designed for water sports like scuba it has invaluable features for outdoor enthusiasts. My favorite and the one that makes it well worth the $100 p/y is the feature that allows you to pre-program on line an "I'm ok" message to be both emailed and texted to at least three different personal contacts. This is nice where I live because in the mountains cell phones rarely work. in the very likely event I/we are going to be later than originally planned I can press one button and save my self a greeting by a perturbed SAR tech or ranger, more importantly I save my self a lashing from my worried wife. More than worth $100 p/y to avoid this!!! This is in addition to the many other standard locater features of most EPURB's. Go with the SPOT!!!!!