Best Emergency Attention Getting Equipment

[Navy OnStar]

As a Navy Helicopter Pilot I have had training in, and experience conducting Search and Rescue. None of my experiences have been to find overdue divers but they have been to find people lost in the Oceans.

Chance are (hopefully) none of us will be left by a boat or swept out to sea by currents but in the event you find yourself in this predicament here are some things to help you out.

Here are MY OPINIONS (disclaimer) on what TYPE of gear is best to signal an aircraft/rescue boat(i.e. Coast Guard/Navy). I'll let the experienced divers here fill in what specific gear they like.

Nothing earth shattering here but may serve to let New Divers know what works well.

Everything listed here is good but their effectiveness is more than doubled if the searchers know you have the equipment. Leaving a list of signaling equipment on the boat/ with a responsibile person along with your dive plan will greatly improve you chances of being found.

#1 Signal Mirror.
PROS: Cheap. Never runs out of batteries. Very bright on a sunny day. Can still bee seen on overcast days but not as bright. WILL get the attention of a pilot/boat
CONS: Useless at night (nothing to reflect). Have to see the rescue craft to reflect light towards them.

#2 SMB (or large bright colored object) Size does matter!
PROS: Cheap. easy to use. Easy to see! Helps pilots to see you in the troughs of waves.
Cons. Bigger the better....means can be bulky.

#3 Sea DYE Marker
PROS: Cheap. Passive marker. If you are tired/incapacitated you don't have to do much to deploy.
CONS: Choppy/strong current/rough waters tend to dissapate quickly. Useless at night
If you dunk it to make a "Dye slick" and then put away until slick goes away and repeat - it'll last longer

#4 Smoke Marker/flare.
PROS: Everyone investigates smoke. Seen from large distances.
CONS: Water friendly ones are expensive. Short burn time. Pyrotechnic.

#5 Light/ Strobe light
PROS: Strobe in the day time is O.K. Excellent at night. Aircraft on Night vision will see more than 30 miles away. These light up the sky on night vision.
CONS: Light good at night but rescuer must be looking directly at in the daytime to notice. Batteries run out.

#6 Glow Stick.
PROS: Last 12 hours. Will be seen by Night vision.
CONS: Harder to see with naked eye at night

#7 Air horn/whistle
PROS: Will get attention without anyone looking at/near you.
CONS: Limited range. 1 mile for Air Horn/much less for whistle. Useless for aircraft.

#8 ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter/Radio
PROS: Will give a signal right to you!
CONS: Cost Prohibitive. Bulky. False alarms from those who are not 100% familiar with their operation.

In my Emergency kit I have a Mirror, Sea Dye Marker, SMB, Whistle (came with BCD) and a strobe. I feel these give me the best spread for any condition and also minimize bulk.

Please feel free to add anything I may have missed and your thoughts on specific gear.

OnStar

[rox@ucf11]

safety sasuage was that mentioned idk too much about them but thanks for the info navy onstar big help

[diversteve]

Originally Posted by rox@ucf11

safety sasuage was that mentioned idk too much about them but thanks for the info navy onstar big help

A safety sausage is an SMB (#2) - Surface Marker Buoy.

[mcc2318]

thanks i was looking for this on what to buy

[BouzoukiJoe]

Originally Posted by Navy OnStar

In my Emergency kit I have a Mirror, Sea Dye Marker, SMB, Whistle and a strobe. I feel these give me the best spread for any condition and also minimize bulk.

I have the same safety kit plus an air horn (scubalert). One of my buddies teases me about the horn. I'm glad I have never had to use it.

[rach]

Originally Posted by Navy OnStar

#3 Sea DYE Marker
PROS: Cheap. Passive marker. If you are tired/incapacitated you don't have to do much to deploy.
CONS: Choppy/strong current/rough waters tend to dissapate quickly. Useless at night
If you dunk it to make a "Dye slick" and then put away until slick goes away and repeat - it'll last longer


OnStar

i had never heard of this before, but it's a great idea! this is an excellent list, thanks!

[RoadRacer1978]

Thanks Onstar. It is nice to have a perspective from the person searching for us when thinking about specific gear to buy for this purpose. You did a great job listing the pros and cons of each item. Thank you for taking the time to give us your opinions.

[mm2002]

Yes, definitely good info. Thanks!

[John Yaskowich]

A good substitute for the mirror is an old CD / DVD (can you think of a better use for that "What was I THINKING?" CD that is taking up space?). It is pretty much unbreakable, waterproof, cheap and very reflective.

[rach]

Originally Posted by John Yaskowich

A good substitute for the mirror is an old CD / DVD (can you think of a better use for that "What was I THINKING?" CD that is taking up space?). It is pretty much unbreakable, waterproof, cheap and very reflective.

i don't know what you're talking about...i listen to my Boyz II Men CD from 1992 every day....

an ingeneous solution indeed!