Diver Locater: Lets make one

[Alan]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Woz]

Piece of string?

[Janos]

Woz, you beat me to it!

Janos

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Woz

Piece of string?

Is this piece of string?

[Woz]

We could make it adjustable by taking a diving reel to bits and winding it round the spool left behind. Then all you have to do it attach it to a float. This should be inflatable for convenience.

Of course we can't always tow a float around with us so maybe having a small rolled up float that we could inflate from underwater might be a good idea.

I have no idea what shape this should be, though. Any ideas?

[Janos]

Freud postulated that male divers have an inferiorty complex and female divers suffer from penis envy.

The float should be long and phallic, and the bigger the better.

Janos

[SoggyFox]

Originally Posted by Woz

Piece of string?

can you add a couple of tin cans and make it a communication device too?

[Alan]

More along the lines of electronic means, having a device(s) which can facilitate communication between the diver and the boat and vice versa (without the aid of cumbersome flotation devices or lines- which pose a danger in themselves). Also allow coomunication between the diver and the buddy.

A Preferable solution would use technology which can interact with what skippers already have on the boat!

[Janos]

Originally Posted by SoggyFox

can you add a couple of tin cans and make it a communication device too?

This is a crap idea. The tin cans would scratch and rust. You need either stainless or aluminium cans if you're going to do the job properly.

Next time think before posting and showing your ignorance.

Janos

[Janos]

Originally Posted by FishFinger

More along the lines of electronic means, having a device(s) which can facilitate communication between the diver and the boat and vice versa (without the aid of cumbersome flotation devices or lines- which pose a danger in themselves). Also allow coomunication between the diver and the buddy.

A Preferable solution would use technology which can interact with what skippers already have on the boat!

Two whopping electrodes which could "shock" the diver into communicating? One jolt for ok, two jolts for come up, and the diver could respond by floating to the surface?

Janos