Dive_Student

Hello everyone,

I am a design student in the uk currently researching ideas for my final university project. I have an interest in diving, and have my open water. I have dived a few locations on the east coast of Oz.

When i dived it was in a small team but on a large boat for up to 70/80 people, of all different nationalities/abilities etc, and only a simple register was used to check people were back out of the water. I got the feeling it wouldnt be too difficult to leave someone behind in this scenario.

I have a vague idea for a product/system to ensure diver safety. It could be to prevent divers being stranded and left behind like in that movie 'Open Water'. Possibly along the links of a tag worn by the diver to help location/ communication etc.

What sort of products along these lines exist? how do you feel they could be improved?

I am at the beginings of this idea so any input/recommendations/links would be greatly helpful. also, any stats about dangers/accidents etc would be helpful.

thanks for reading this, and any sort of reply or suggestion would be greatly appriciated!

Regards,

Joe

glynneco

Check out DAN's web site. They have a tag system that is quite effective. I've been on boats that use it. A numbered tag is handed out to be clipped on the divers' BC. His name and tag number are recorded. As the divers return their name is checked off the log and their tag returned to the board. If a tag is missing from the board the boat doesn't move. Simple and effective.
Welcome to diving. Have fun, dive safe and GOOD LUCK with university!

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Is that the bottom of the quarry or is the vis just really bad today?

glynneco

What I would like to see is a standardized way to mark equipment as yours. Some standardized space to mark equipment that was common across mfgr. (I know I'm being redundant) A small white square perhaps that could accept a magic marker on every piece of equipment or the same white tag sewn on to clothing. You get on these cattle boats and add several equipment hogs and stuff is everywhere. Sorting it out can be a challenge. How's that for an idea?

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Is that the bottom of the quarry or is the vis just really bad today?

John

For someone like me who knows very little about diving

is DAN = Divers Alert Network?

Thanks

Resqdivemedic

The DAN Tag available through www.diversalertnetwork.com is a great investment to identify equipment. I just read an article in the latest issue of DAN's Alert Diver magazine about a diver who lost the lens from an expensive camera while underwater. A few weeks after their vacation ended and returned home they got a call from a vacationer who was diving the same spot, found the lens, and was able to contact them to return it because of the DAN Tag attached to it. As far as diver accountability, I think a tag system similar to the one I remeber from scout camp. You are issued a tag, when you are swimming in a certain area you hang the tag on a board for that area. When you are finished, you remove the tag. When the lifeguards do a head count, the can compare it with the board. I was invloved in many a search for missing swimmers who forgot to take their tags from the board. Something similar to this can possibly be adapted for divers.