As we’ve seen in previous posts like Emergency Signaling Devices: Get Noticed in the Water and Must-Have Scuba Diving Safety Gear, Surface Marker Buoys or SMB’s are one of the essentials in Scuba safety gear. With the increasing number of stories of divers getting left behind by dive boats and surface accidents, we recommend that every diver carry an SMB in their BC pocket and use a surface buoy dive flag to notify boats of the presence of divers in the water.

Here’s a look at some of the best SMB’s and surface buoy dive flags in available at LeisurePro.com-

45 inch Dive Signal Tube with Inflator

This Dive Signal Tube is made of durable cordura material and comes in a Hi-Viz Orange Color for easy identification and the Safety tube wraps up in a compact nylon carry bag to keep it stored and latched until needed. The attachable snap clip makes carrying the bag simple and handy. Signal Tube independently inflates with a screw down oral inflator mouthpiece to 45″ tall making it easy to see from a distance.
The 45 inch Dive Signal Tube with Inflator is available at LeisurePro.com for $14.95*

Blue Reef Diver Below 4′ Signal Tube

This 4′ long signal tube can be easily stored in a regular BC pocket, and is small enough that there is no reason not to bring it onevery dive. When the SMB is inflated it is long enough to be easily seen from a distance and sturdy enough to stand up to any weather conditions you may encounter. It is also conveniently labeled with “Diver Below” so you can send it up to mark your location while making a safety stop. It features an easy to use oral inflation valve with lock to prevent accidental deflation as well as an over pressure / dump valve.
The Blue Reef Diver Below 4′ Signal Tube is available at LeisurePro.com for $24.95*

Oceanic P.S.D. Personal Safety Device

A high visibility signaling device and more. The new Oceanic P.S.D. (Personal Signaling Device) is not only a highly visible signal tube, its patented zipper attachment allows you to quickly secure the tube over your head for hand’s free, face-up positive buoyancy.
The Oceanic P.S.D. Personal Safety Device is available at LeisurePro.com for $34.95*

Dive Alert Deluxe Surface Marker Buoy

The DiveAlert SMB (surface marker buoy) features a Closed-Circuit (one-way valve) construction, which prevents air spill at surface. It can be inflated at the surface to attract visual attention or as redundant flotation or inflated at depth to send up as a surface marker.
The reflective tape across the top of SMB creates better visibility for day and night diving. In Addition the Deluxe Version has Safety Orange one side and Florescent Lime/Yellow the other side for better visibility.
The Dive Alert Deluxe Surface Marker Buoy is available at LeisurePro.com for $50.99*

Innovative Inflatable Flag-N-Float

Horizontal flag mount and inflatable buoy base are easy to use. 22″ buoy base and weight attachment strap provide excellent stability in rough water or while towing. Deflated, Flag-N-Float stores in your dive bag. Sets up quickly. Put a small dive light in the center compartment to illuminate the buoy at night.
The Innovative Inflatable Flag-N-Float is available at LeisurePro.com for $24.95*

Vinyl Inflatable Flag with Float

Being a safe diver is important more and more people are boating each year and there is increased watercraft traffic in our favorite dive sites. This Vinyl inflatable float with dive flag is compact when deflated, yet highly visible when inflated on the surface.
The Vinyl Inflatable Flag with Float is available at LeisurePro.com for $11.95*

*Prices stated are as in May 2010, Please refer to the LeisurePro.com website for current prices.

Related Articles:
Brushing Up Your Scuba Skills: How To Deploy A Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2010. | The Big Buoys Of Diving: SMB’s and Diving Buoys is an original article from Aquaviews.net | Be the first to comment!

As your primary way of breathing underwater and essentially your lifeline, Scuba regulators are one of the most important pieces of equipment used in scuba diving. So what do you do if it happens to fail on you?  That’s where an octopus or spare regulator as it is also known comes in. As your single most important piece of scuba safety gear,  a spare regulator/ octopus can come to your aid or your buddy’s aid as a back up source of air supply underwater. So how do you choose this crucial piece of equipment when buying your own scuba kit?

In order to know what to look for in an Octopus, it’s good to know the parts that make up of an octopus and the features you can expect. Just like a traditional regulator an octopus consist of three parts: a first stage (frequently purchased separately), a brightly-colored 2nd stage, and a long air hose.

Parts of an Octopus/ Spare Reg

1st Stage vs. 2nd Stage
The first stage attaches to the diver’s tank via a yoke or DIN fitting. It regulates the air pressure as the air exits the tank before the air can enter the air hose. The second stage contains the mouthpiece and purge valve; the purpose of the second stage is to deliver the air into the diver’s mouth and to remove any waste (air or other objects) as needed.

Hose
Octopus hoses are usually longer than a diver’s primary regulator hose. This is because the octopus may be used by your buddy, who will be a slightly greater distance from your tank than you are.

Features of an Octopus/ Spare Reg
Swivel
Many octopuses offer a fairly free swivel motion, which gives the allows the diver in need comfortably position the regulator. This also permits your buddy to breathe through your octopus regardless if he/she is behind your, in front of you, or next to you. Some octopuses also can be used equally well right-side-up or upside-down. This permits you to aid your buddy, even if he/she is below you.

Purge Button/Exhaust Valve
The 2nd stage’s exhaust valve is a one-way valve that allows the diver’s exhaled air to leave the regulator. Basically, it is where the bubbles exit the mouthpiece.

The purge button allows the diver to force air from his/her scuba tank through the regulator to clear any water that may have inadvertently entered the 2nd stage. This button should be fairly simple to manipulate, even when wearing thick dive gloves. It should also only require the pressure from one finger to success- fully perform the purge.

Mouthpiece
Your octopus’ mouthpiece is a more crucial piece of equipment than most people believe. Mouthpieces are typically made from hypoallergenic silicone, which is a pliable, yet sturdy material. More and more mouthpieces are touted as being ergonomically shaped. This is a great advantage be- cause it means your jaw will maintain a natural position, which should decrease your changes of experiencing post-dive jaw pain.

*Products Featured in the Post (from top)- Oceanic Air XS Regulator/inflator combination Complete, Mares Prestige Octopus, AquaLung ABS Octopus, Seacure Hi-Flow Mouthpiece available at LeisurePro.com

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2010. | What To Look For In A Spare Regulator (Octopus) is an original article from Aquaviews.net | One comment

PART II (If you missed Part I- Click Here)

Getting separated from your dive boat or lost at sea is probably a diver’s worst nightmare. Divers can surface far away from their dive boats, get lost in underwater navigation or simply get swept away by strong currents.  Spotting the head of a diver bobbing on the surface against the waves is a difficult thing to do and without some kind of emergency signaling device, this gets even harder for dive boats or search and rescue to spot you. Thankfully there are so many devices, Audible, Visual and High-tech, available to divers these days that will help your dive boat or rescuers spot you in the water should the need ever arise, however each device comes with its own set of Pros and Cons. Divers should carry at least a combination of the below mentioned signaling devices with them on every dive to ensure maximum effectiveness should the need arise.

Visual Signaling Devices

Strobe Lights
Strobe Lights flash bright white light in intervals and are highly effective visual signaling devices at night and also during the day. These devices can be carried by divers or attached to BCD’s and activated whenever needed.  Strobes are especially useful if caught in a storm and are also highly visible from above for air rescue.

The Disadvantage of a strobe light is that it runs on batteries, and that a diver must ensure he purchases a good quality strobe that will usually last 24-30 hours on battery and ensure regular maintenance and replacement of batteries.

featured above is the Tektite Xenon Strobe 20 available at Leisurepro.com

Dive Lights
A dive light can also come in handy to signal your rescuers especially at night.  The more powerful handheld dive lights emit a strong beam that can be seen from a great distance and also be used to signal air rescuers.  A dive light is something that can be used outside of an emergency situation and is something that one could easily carry along regularly.

Cons are that they depend on battery, and are more effective at night. Once again the diver has to spot  his/her rescuers to direct the light towards them, otherwise risk running out of battery waving the light on.

featured above is the Ikelite RCD Halogen Light (1200) available at Leisurepro.com

Chemical Light Sticks
Chemical light sticks are compact and easy to carry in one’s BCD  and are additionally cheap as well.  Depending on the quality and type of Stick these can glow for up to 12 hours. On a dark night these can be easily spotted against the dark ocean, and may also be spotted from the air.

Chemical Sticks aren’t as bright as a flash light or a strobe, and have almost zero impact during the daytime.

featured above is the 6″ Chemical Lightsticks, Green available at Leisurepro.com

Sea Dye Marker
Chemical Sea Dye Markers, come in tubes or vials that contain a highly visible fluorescent, “dye slick” that lasts for 15- 30 minutes and enables aircraft to quickly locate the lost diver. This “slick” can be seen for up to a mile or more and is a great passive method of signaling.

Current and wind action affect the duration of the dye slick and in strong seas this will get washed away in minutes. The non fluorescent dyes are of no use in the night time as they cannot be spotted In the dark.

featured above is the OMS Fluorescent Red Dye Marker available at Leisurepro.com

Smoke Marker/Flare
Distress Smoke Markers or Flares are also highly effective ways to signal rescue.  Divers can carry small hand launched flares in their BCD pocket for emergency signaling on the surface.

Flares however work best at night and most are not guaranteed water proof to diving depths. Smoke canisters are also not guaranteed to diving depths and are ineffective in highly windy conditions or at night.

High Tech Devices

ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter
These devices transmit the location of the diver at the emergency coast guard homing frequency, which can be located by the Coast Guard or any boat/aircraft equipped with a Direction Finding receiver.  There are several different kinds of ELT’s and Dive Tracker devices that help divers signal rescuers or their dive boat to their location. The biggest advantage is that these devices lead your rescuers straight to you. Recently there has been a lot of research in to incorporating GPS receivers that can be worn by divers to lead rescuers directly to them.

Transmitter devices are often very expensive and run on batteries requiring regular replacement. Some transmitters are often bulky to carry and inconvenient for the diver.

featured above is the  Dive Tracker Scout System available at Leisurepro.com

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2010. | Emergency Signaling Devices II: Get noticed in the water is an original article from Aquaviews.net | Be the first to comment!

Getting separated from your dive boat or lost at sea is probably a diver’s worst nightmare. Divers can surface far away from their dive boats, get lost in underwater navigation or simply get swept away by strong currents.  Spotting the head of a diver bobbing on the surface against the waves is a difficult thing to do and without some kind of emergency signaling device, this gets even harder for dive boats or search and rescue to spot you. Thankfully there are so many devices, Audible, Visual and High-tech, available to divers these days that will help your dive boat or rescuers spot you in the water should the need ever arise, however each device comes with its own set of Pros and Cons. Divers should carry at least a combination of the below mentioned signaling devices with them on every dive to ensure maximum effectiveness should the need arise.

Audible Signaling Devices

Whistle
The simple whistle is perhaps one of the cheapest and easiest to carry items in your dive equipment. A whistle is better than shouting to get your boatman’s attention, and can be heard sometimes up to a ¼ of a mile away.  A whistle is perhaps the one item of safety signaling equipment that you’d probably even get with rental equipment.

The disadvantages are that it has limited range, and is of no use in strong winds or over the roaring of a boat engine.  A whistle is of no use if you are trying to get the attention of a rescue helicopter. Despite the limited range a whistle is a must have signaling device for any diver and if used in conjunction with a safety sausage is probably one of the most effective signaling devices for signaling your dive boat  if not for signaling search and rescue teams.

featured above is the Storm Whistle available at Leisurepro.com

Air Horn
An Air Horn or Dive Alert Signaling Devices enable divers, at the mere touch of a button, to generate a blast of sound that can be heard up to a mile away. Dive Alert is a specially designed, small, lightweight air horn that fits between your BC’s power inflator and its air hose to become an integrated part of your power inflator. The advantages of the Air horn or Dive Alert are that its range is far superior to that of a whistle and can be heard up to a mile away which is great if separated from your dive boat while surfacing. The Air Horn is also a great method to signal search and rescue parties if they are within range of your device, and also a good method to use at night where visual signaling devices apart from lights are of no use.

Once again the disadvantages of an Air horn are that it is of no use to signal a search and rescue helicopter, or even a boat greater than a mile away. Also since it relies on Tank Air, if a diver surfaces with an empty tank, he will have to rely on a whistle instead.

featured above is the Dive Alert Signaling Device available at Leisurepro.com

Visual Signaling Devices

Safety Sausage or SMB
Probably one of the best emergency signaling devices that can be carried by divers is the safety sausage also known as an SMB or Surface Marker Buoy. These are brightly colored inflatable tubes that are rolled up and stored in your BCD pockets until needed. Divers can inflate the SMB using their regulators which cause the SMB to stand upright above the water offering better visibility to the location of the divers.  SMB’s or Safety sausages are highly visible and as they stand upright above the waves, make it easier to be spotted from a distance.  Great for being spotted by search and rescue pilots from above and most importantly they are cheap and effective visual signaling devices.

The disadvantages of an SMB are that they rely on air from the diver’s tank to be inflated, and if a diver surfaces empty, he will not be able to inflate the marker. Also strong winds make these devices lay over and if not upright, they cannot be seen over a distance. Additionally an SMB is no good in the dark or at night.

featured above is the Xs Scuba Surface Marker Buoy available at Leisurepro.com

Signal Mirror
Another compact and cheap means of signaling a boat or rescuers is by using a signaling mirror. Signal Mirrors are the most valuable daytime means of visual signaling. Even on overcast days, you can effectively use a signal mirror to obtain rescue. Mirror signals can be spotted from the air or by passing vessels making them highly effective and plus you never run out of batteries.

Greatest disadvantage of the signaling mirror is that it can be used only in the daytime and becomes less effective in overcast conditions. Also the diver would need to spot the rescue vessel or aircraft first in order to signal it with the mirror, unlike a SMB which is difficult.

featured above is the Ultimate Survival StarFlash Signaling Mirror 3″ X 5″ available at Leisurepro.com

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2010. | Emergency Signaling Devices I: Get noticed in the water is an original article from Aquaviews.net | 3 comments

Bailout bottles are a subject that Scuba divers have rather strong opinions about, and constantly debate the benefits of a bailout bottle over a pony tank and vice-versa. Bailout bottles provide a diver a redundant air supply that will enable an emergency ascent from a depth in case of a problem or shortage of air in the primary air tank. A Bailout bottle can be used by overhead environment divers, wreck divers and recreational divers alike, and provide a compact source of air for emergencies.

Bailout bottle systems are found in two types:

• Integrated first and second stage regulator into the bottle.
• Stand alone tank with a standard first stage and second stage regulator.

H2Odyssey Extra Air Source 3
The H2Odyssey Extra Air Source 3 is an integrated first and second stage regulator system that fits onto a bailout tank of varying capacity. The First-Stage Regulator (RGV3) which is a balanced diaphragm environmentally sealed unit made from forged brass,  threads directly into the neck of a cylinder eliminating the need or bulk of a cylinder valve, it also gives you the latitude of selecting the size of cylinder to be utilized. Second-Stage Regulator is a bright yellow covered dependable simple down-stream demand valve design which connects via a vertical/ horizontal swivel. Available at Leisurepro.com at a competitive price of $352.50, the EAS3 is a valuable addition to a divers Scuba gear.

The H2Odyssey EAS3 can be purchased in a kit containing a 6 cubic foot tank that measures approx 3 inches in diameter and 12 inches in height. This will give your enough air to get you from 132 feet all the way to the surface

H2Odyssey Extra Air Source 2
The H2Odyssey EAS2 which retails at Liesurepro.com for approximately $269.25 is an emergency air source system that features a (RG2V) dependable balanced piston first stage unlike the EAS3 which uses a diaphragm first stage. Similar to the EAS3, The First-Stage Regulator threads directly into the neck of a cylinder eliminating the need or bulk of a cylinder valve, it also gives you the latitude of selecting the size of cylinder to be utilized.

The Extra Air Source 2 Kit also available at LeisurePro, includes the following:

• H2Odyssey Extra Air Source Balanced 1st Stage, with Station Kit
• 6 cu.ft Tank
• Pressure Gauge
• EAS Bag

Also available is the GPD H2Odyssey Quick Release EAS Bag for 6 cu ft Tank for $7.99 which allows mounting of the bailout bottle onto your main tank or BCD for easy access.

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2009. | Scuba Safety Gear: The H2Odyssey Extra Air Source is an original article from Aquaviews.net | Be the first to comment!

In our earlier article -5 Rules to Better Diving, we discussed how when it comes to Scuba diving safety, it’s best to dive like you’re diving alone. No, that doesn’t mean ditch your dive buddy, but as far as your safety is concerned, pretend he’s not there or… won’t be when you need him. In other words be self reliant.

With increasing incidents of divers being left behind by dive boats and even just freak accidents of running out of air, getting trapped or caught in nets, you don’t want find yourself in a situation wishing you had some basic Scuba safety gear or equipment. In order to be your own best dive buddy, we’ve put together some Scuba safety essentials which are light and easy to carry with you on any dive in case the dreaded happens.

A whistle. Yes, this seemingly simple and small device can make a loud, life saving gesture. Attaching a whistle with a lanyard to your buoyancy compensator is a great way to get the attention of your dive bat hands, if you happen to surface away from the boat. While buying a whistle make sure that select one with no moving parts that could jam and that functions even when soaking wet after being submerged. Also, see that it’s loud enough to be heard above ambient noises like the roar of engines, breaking waves or thundering gale-force winds.

A ‘safety sausage‘ or ‘inflatable signaling tube‘ that, after inflation sticks up about six feet above the water’s surface is almost a requirement when diving. Easy to see from a distance especially when drift diving and also used for hand’s free, face-up positive buoyancy, these signaling tubes pack very small and can be simply attached to your BCD without causing any hindrance. Some need to be manually inflated through a mouthpiece while more advanced versions are mounted on BC’s and once deployed they use air from the BC to inflate.

Carrying with you Scuba flash light or strobe light is a good idea for obvious reasons, be it a night dive or day dive. A small light or a strobe that can double up as a flashlight if needed can be easily put in a BC pocket without you even feeling it. Available with extended battery life a light is just handy to have even when diving wrecks, in low visibility or as an emergency signaling device when diving at night.

Lastly, a dive knife. While it has been well debated, whether a Diver really needs to carry  dive knives or not as even we’ve previously touched on the subject in ‘Do I really need a Dive Knife? ‘. Weighing the pros and cons we came to the conclusion that it is always better to carry along with you at least one form of cutting tool, rather than be caught up in a situation where you wished you had one.

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*Photo credits: photo by gjs on flickr

** Products pictured above: Fox 40 Classic Marine Whistle With Breakaway Lanyard, Oceanic P.S.D. Personal Safety Device, Tektite Xenon Strobe 200 and Blue Reef Titanium Folding Knife. All available at LeisurePro.com.

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2009. | Must-Have Scuba Diving Safety Gear is an original article from Aquaviews.net | 3 comments