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RandyAbernethy · 25-04-2006, 08:58

I can’t believe they found this guy. I can’t tell from the report if he had signaling devices with him or not. I have noticed that some of the most experienced divers tend to get lax on their safety, perhaps because they’re so comfortable. It’s easy to add a whistle, a light, a strobe and a bright yellow inflatable signal tube to you gear bag. Each item is small, clipping on or fitting easily into a BC pocket, and weights nothing in the water. The chances of spotting a floating coconut are about the same as finding a diver in a black wetsuit. I hope the tale encourages more divers to bring a few useful signaling devices with them (and some butter).

Talbot · 25-04-2006, 09:55

Having done some experiments at finding a diver from a helicopter , I have reflective material on top of my hood. When a diver is wearing a hood, he doesnt show up very well on IR or thermal imaging, and if you do take the hood off, it is only a short period before the head cools down to again minimise the IR image.

The firefly strobe is excellent from a couple of miles.

The best is the hand held day and night distress flares.

seafox · 25-04-2006, 15:11

the guys on the Interisland Ferries would have been keeping a good eye out over the 12 hours he was in the water. Be a bit boring on those Ferries so what better way to pass the time than find and save a missing diver.