Diver Locater: Lets make one

[ratcliffe]

You can get those transponder thingies that are wireless air gauges etc. Can these not be adapted to send a signal up to a unit on the boat ? So if the diver gets into difficulties or something, he can just activate the unit, and the boat gets a signal of some kind. Similarly in reverse, if the skipper on the boat wants the diver to surface, he can just activate it from his end and the diver seens a small light come on on the unit on his wrist.

Taking it further, you could incorporate some kind of location thing ? I know GPS wouldn't work, but a kind of sonar related thing perhaps ? I don't know if this part is possible.

Would be a marvellous invention for schools and clubs who have surface cover/topside people monitoring divers entering and leaving the water etc.

[triplefin]

Originally Posted by FishFinger

I am following up with this later this year as a venture with YD. I think it's a great idea.
Alan

look forward to the report

[Duncan Price]

I'm rather fond of the idea that divers could wear a weightbelt held together by water soluble adhesive which would dissolve after their breathing supply is exhausted - after x mins in the water the diver's bloated body is propelled to the surface.

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by Duncan Price

I'm rather fond of the idea that divers could wear a weightbelt held together by water soluble adhesive which would dissolve after their breathing supply is exhausted - after x mins in the water the diver's bloated body is propelled to the surface.

In caves?
Still at least it would keep them out of the silt

[morphs]

Originally Posted by FishFinger

Having just finished reading Shadow Divers (which left me with mixed emotions to be honest) I got thinking about Dive Locaters. After chatting at length with a Skipper on this board (restingrifleman-top bloke) I thought it would be a good idea to approach the board with a proposal. It goes without saying what the advantages are for the diver and the Skipper.
So I propose that we (YDr's) design and build one cheaply enough so we can afford it. My VR3 costs a fortune, but it still cannot:
1. Tell me where my buddy is in zero viz.
2. Warn the skipper that someone is missing.
3. Allow the skipper to warn of changing conditions.
4. Assist locating a missing diver
etc etc
I think the skills are definitely available on this board to make it work. I am not even sure what is on the market but I don't know anyone using them, which implies it is not widely available or affordable
For me a simple design is best which would not task overload the diver, and be as lightweight as possible. It's not rocket science and it would definitely find a market place. Please advise if this has been suggested before!
If not I can help out on the physics side...
UNFORTUNATELY THIS THREAD HAS OVER RUN BY DONKEY SHAGGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simple, dive boat gives the divers a radio transmitter tag which then can either be a wrist mounted device or something that attaches to the bcd or other. then the skipper of the boat has a radio tracking receiver enabling him to track his divers.. plus it's does not cost that much, the technology is already out there you just have to use it : )

Just found this as well.
http://www.seamarshall.com/

[dlegros]

Originally Posted by Janos

"A great idea"? Following Woz's poo trail is a bonkers idea if you ask me.

Have a look at the last time he went diving after eating prunes.

Photos here

Janos

I thought it was THIS photo...





Dom

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Duncan Price

I'm rather fond of the idea that divers could wear a weightbelt held together by water soluble adhesive which would dissolve after their breathing supply is exhausted - after x mins in the water the diver's bloated body is propelled to the surface.

I think this is a great idea, but the problem is that you can't use it on multiple dives in case the glue is "used up" by the first one.

Altogether now "Where's me weightbelt? Where's me weightbelt?"

Janos

[Janos]

Originally Posted by morphs

Simple, dive boat gives the divers a radio transmitter tag which then can either be a wrist mounted device or something that attaches to the bcd or other. then the skipper of the boat has a radio tracking receiver enabling him to track his divers.. plus it's does not cost that much, the technology is already out there you just have to use it : )

Just found this as well.
http://www.seamarshall.com/

Sadly this isn't going to work well underwater, as water blocks out radio waves quite effectively.

Janos

[Janos]

Ok. I've got the answer: Strawberry jelly.

Take some cubes down with you and it will dissolve behind you setting a hard trail which you can use to find your way home.

Jason gave me a loaf of bread to try leaving a trail of breadcrumbs in Vobster last Friday, but the f'in fish ate them all. However it's a well known fact that fish are scared of jelly [1] so will leave it alone

Janos

[1] - They fear the same will happen to them as to the eels.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by dlegros

I thought it was THIS photo...





Dom

Is that a whale in the photo or is it Woz? Sometimes I get confused...