You've made your reservations or managed to hop onto a charter at the last minute, and you enjoyed a decent voyage out to the dive site of your choice. You come to the surface, either with an entire group, with your buddy, or - worst case scenario - all by yourself. The dive boat is nowhere to be seen. They've left without you, or you've drifted off and you're separated from your boat. Now what? During training, you learned some survival basics, and if you've spent any time shore diving, then your level of confidence in the absence of a support vessel is likely greater than that of the average diver. First, and most important, don't panic. Following, we'll explore some ways you can increase your chances of making it to safety if you've been left behind.
Deploy Signaling Equipment
Divers can be hard to spot, particularly if swell or chop is significant. Among the most important items you can carry are items with which you can signal for help. Get a surface marker buoy and learn how to use it. Make sure it is in good condition before every dive.
Get a Nautilus Lifeline, and Learn How it Works
One of the newest pieces of equipment for ensuring you are located easily, before hypothermia sets in or before you become fatigued and fall asleep or lose consciousness, is the Nautilus Lifeline. This emergency VHF radio is capable of being submerged to a depth of 425 feet, and incorporates a GPS beacon and a radio with which you can call rescue agencies, including the United States Coast Guard. Many base boats utilize systems that allow divers with Nautilus Lifeline systems to contact them, and event you can't reach anyone by voice, the system is equipped with a distress button feature. Depressing the distress button for three seconds initiates an automatic transmission of distress which any boat within an eight mile radius can pick up. The distress message it sends includes your GPS coordinates, which makes finding you much easier - particularly if you have deployed a signaling device.
Other Safety Equipment to Carry
Don't make the mistake of relying on a single method for allowing would-be rescuers to find you. Here are some items to add to your kit - even if one method fails, another might work:
-
Carry a signaling mirror, a whistle or other noisemaker, such as an air horn you can connect to a BCD hose. The sounds these devices make carry much further than a human voice can.
-
Carry rescue streamers - These compact rolls fit right into a BCD pocket, and fan out to float on the water with you, greatly increasing your visibility, particularly for searchers who are looking for you from overhead.
-
Carry lights and Strobes - Imagine being lost at sea in the dark, or during another period of limited visibility. Lights and strobes make it easier for rescuers and passing vessels to see you, even from a long distance.
Be sure you take good care of your emergency equipment, and be sure you dive with reputable charters. Despite the fact most divers will never be left behind, knowing what to do in a bad situation, and having the right equipment on hand to deal with this type of emergency can make the difference between life and death.