Home made diver recall device?????????

[deepbreath]

Hi all, wonder if anybody can give me any ideas of how to make a diver recall device for use on our boat, I know you can buy one that fires blank cartridges but thats not for me, perhaps some kind of metal device lowered into the water on a rope, I do have access to welding equip.
Regards Nick.

[Nevil Adkins]

Hi all, wonder if anybody can give me any ideas of how to make a diver recall device for use on our boat, I know you can buy one that fires blank cartridges but thats not for me, perhaps some kind of metal device lowered into the water on a rope, I do have access to welding equip.

Nick,
My previous club used groups of three rev's of the outboard engine as a recall signal and this was generally fairly effective, however I would also point out that this was in a warm-water environment where noone wore wetsuit hoods. At least you couldn't forget to take it with you!

I have also heard of people making a "bell" out of a length of metal tubing (scaffold pipe is the usual candidate), dipping one end of it in the water and whacking the other end with a lump hammer. I have not tried this so don't know how effective it is.

I know that "thunderflashes" are _very_ effective but suspect that they are rather difficult to get hold of these days. There have been various sonic devices made for this purpose - I remember reading about a fire alarm type siren mounted in the front of a torch housing. Finally, I heard of one guy that dropped a waterproof speaker over the side of the boat and played the Jaws theme tune via his hi-fi!

Cheers
Nevil

[Geoff Oldfield]

Hi, yes this is becoming a bit of a bee in my bonnet too. I've trawled the web pages for a diver recall device and apart from some very expensive electronic devices offered by American companies there is nothing commercially available on offer.

There was one company called "Whallop Industries" who took over the design rights and manufacture of a device which was lowered into the water which was depth actuated and let off a cartridge. The unit was at one time available to dive clubs (Deeside Branch had one)but Whallop Industries now only supply the military and will not supply retailers or clubs. As you quite rightly say, thunderflashes used to be available but no longer - always a problem keeping them dry anyway.

There's definately a market out there for someone to come up with an easily transportable, reasonably priced diver recall system that could be carried easily on a RIB or charter boat. Something like an old firebell would be just great!

Any more ideas?

Geoff

[terryh]

There's definately a market out there for someone to come up with an easily transportable, reasonably priced diver recall system that could be carried easily on a RIB or charter boat. Something like an old firebell would be just great!

Any more ideas?


Not sure how far it would travel u/w, but most of the small
shed/personal alarms are about 110db. Pretty loud on land and
they are very cheap (about ?5 from Maplin etc.). What if you
detached the speaker and tried some form of waterproofing, or
even attached a waterproof speaker. Of course this might be
compete and utter ******** and wouldnt work (any physicists
out there?), but it's cheap enough to have a try.

If it doesnt you can always use it as a kit alarm!

Rgds
TerryH

[deepbreath]

:=Hi all, wonder if anybody can give me any ideas of how to make a diver recall device for use on our boat, I know you can buy one that fires blank cartridges but thats not for me, perhaps some kind of metal device lowered into the water on a rope, I do have access to welding equip.

Nick,
My previous club used groups of three rev's of the outboard engine as a recall signal and this was generally fairly effective, however I would also point out that this was in a warm-water environment where noone wore wetsuit hoods. At least you couldn't forget to take it with you!

I have also heard of people making a "bell" out of a length of metal tubing (scaffold pipe is the usual candidate), dipping one end of it in the water and whacking the other end with a lump hammer. I have not tried this so don't know how effective it is.

I know that "thunderflashes" are _very_ effective but suspect that they are rather difficult to get hold of these days. There have been various sonic devices made for this purpose - I remember reading about a fire alarm type siren mounted in the front of a torch housing. Finally, I heard of one guy that dropped a waterproof speaker over the side of the boat and played the Jaws theme tune via his hi-fi!

Cheers
Nevil

Thanks all, nevil the pipe, do you know if it has to be sealed at one end, this sounds like the kind of thing I was thinking of.

Nick.

[Andy Wade]

Hi, yes this is becoming a bit of a bee in my bonnet too. I've trawled the web pages for a diver recall device and apart from some very expensive electronic devices offered by American companies there is nothing commercially available on offer.

There was one company called "Whallop Industries" who took over the design rights and manufacture of a device which was lowered into the water which was depth actuated and let off a cartridge. The unit was at one time available to dive clubs (Deeside Branch had one)but Whallop Industries now only supply the military and will not supply retailers or clubs.(snipped)

Our branch used to have one of these, I don't know if we still have it or not.
We did a couple of test runs with it when we got it, and it sounds a bit like someone hitting a dustbin lid half a mile away, I'd say it was only really effective if you were actually listening for it, and aware of what it sounds like. Of course it only bangs once and if you miss it.... you miss it.
Revving the engine is not the best idea as it's something that happens a lot around dive sites, how would you know it was your boat engine that was revving? If yours is the only boat on site and everyone has been briefed it would be OK.
The scaffold tube works quite well, I've seen one that was about 3 feet long, and hung on a rope passed through a hole drilled in one end, it was struck with a bit of metal bar tied to the other end of a rope. This is better as sometimes you just haven't got a lump hammer available. ;-) It's better to make the whole tool for the job, than to rely on finding an essential part in the boat when you need it most. The good thing about this method is that the operator can ring it a few times to ensure everyone has a chance to hear it. And it costs nowt to make.
The firebell sounds like a good idea, but you'd have to hold it in the water and that might not be too easy, a scaffold tube could be cut as long as you need it to be.

Hope this helps.




.

[derek perry]

:=
:=There's definately a market out there for someone to come up with an easily transportable, reasonably priced diver recall system that could be carried easily on a RIB or charter boat. Something like an old firebell would be just great!
:=
:=Any more ideas?
:=

Not sure how far it would travel u/w, but most of the small
shed/personal alarms are about 110db. Pretty loud on land and
they are very cheap (about ?5 from Maplin etc.). What if you
detached the speaker and tried some form of waterproofing, or
even attached a waterproof speaker. Of course this might be
compete and utter ******** and wouldnt work (any physicists
out there?), but it's cheap enough to have a try.

If it doesnt you can always use it as a kit alarm!

Rgds
TerryH


Terry

Would it fit into one of the water tight plastic bags they sell for mobile phones etc???
Then it can be switched on through the bag and dipped over the side.

I also liked the idea of the scaffold pole, the only problem is on a crowded dive site with anyone trying to hammer off a port hole etc. (Not me or my branch I might add)
How would you know the difference?


Derek

[Andy Wade]

:=:=
:=:=There's definately a market out there for someone to come up with an easily transportable, reasonably priced diver recall system that could be carried easily on a RIB or charter boat. Something like an old firebell would be just great!
:=:=
:=:=Any more ideas?
:=:=
:=
:=Not sure how far it would travel u/w, but most of the small
:=shed/personal alarms are about 110db. Pretty loud on land and
:=they are very cheap (about ?5 from Maplin etc.). What if you
:=detached the speaker and tried some form of waterproofing, or
:=even attached a waterproof speaker. Of course this might be
:=compete and utter ******** and wouldnt work (any physicists
:=out there?), but it's cheap enough to have a try.
:=
:=If it doesnt you can always use it as a kit alarm!
:=
:=Rgds
:=TerryH


Terry

Would it fit into one of the water tight plastic bags they sell for mobile phones etc???
Then it can be switched on through the bag and dipped over the side.

I also liked the idea of the scaffold pole, the only problem is on a crowded dive site with anyone trying to hammer off a port hole etc. (Not me or my branch I might add)
How would you know the difference?

You could tap out a tune with the scaffold pole, as long as all your divers know what the tune is beforehand, then it should be recognisable from some git hammering a porthole off.
(Or you could get a really really really long scaffold pole, and smack him on the head with it......;-))

Anyone for underwater tubular bell playing?



.

[deepbreath]

:=Hi, yes this is becoming a bit of a bee in my bonnet too. I've trawled the web pages for a diver recall device and apart from some very expensive electronic devices offered by American companies there is nothing commercially available on offer.
:=
:=There was one company called "Whallop Industries" who took over the design rights and manufacture of a device which was lowered into the water which was depth actuated and let off a cartridge. The unit was at one time available to dive clubs (Deeside Branch had one)but Whallop Industries now only supply the military and will not supply retailers or clubs.(snipped)

Our branch used to have one of these, I don't know if we still have it or not.
We did a couple of test runs with it when we got it, and it sounds a bit like someone hitting a dustbin lid half a mile away, I'd say it was only really effective if you were actually listening for it, and aware of what it sounds like. Of course it only bangs once and if you miss it.... you miss it.
Revving the engine is not the best idea as it's something that happens a lot around dive sites, how would you know it was your boat engine that was revving? If yours is the only boat on site and everyone has been briefed it would be OK.
The scaffold tube works quite well, I've seen one that was about 3 feet long, and hung on a rope passed through a hole drilled in one end, it was struck with a bit of metal bar tied to the other end of a rope. This is better as sometimes you just haven't got a lump hammer available. ;-) It's better to make the whole tool for the job, than to rely on finding an essential part in the boat when you need it most. The good thing about this method is that the operator can ring it a few times to ensure everyone has a chance to hear it. And it costs nowt to make.
The firebell sounds like a good idea, but you'd have to hold it in the water and that might not be too easy, a scaffold tube could be cut as long as you need it to be.

Hope this helps.





.

Andy sorry to sound dim but, I like the sound of your idea but not quite sure how you use yours, is it a case of just whacking the pole with the metal bar while you dangle it in the water, or do you have to bash the pole on the part of the pole that is under the surface.

Nick.

[Andy Wade]

:=:=Hi, yes this is becoming a bit of a bee in my bonnet too. I've trawled the web pages for a diver recall device and apart from some very expensive electronic devices offered by American companies there is nothing commercially available on offer.
:=:=
:=:=There was one company called "Whallop Industries" who took over the design rights and manufacture of a device which was lowered into the water which was depth actuated and let off a cartridge. The unit was at one time available to dive clubs (Deeside Branch had one)but Whallop Industries now only supply the military and will not supply retailers or clubs.(snipped)
:=
:=Our branch used to have one of these, I don't know if we still have it or not.
:=We did a couple of test runs with it when we got it, and it sounds a bit like someone hitting a dustbin lid half a mile away, I'd say it was only really effective if you were actually listening for it, and aware of what it sounds like. Of course it only bangs once and if you miss it.... you miss it.
:=Revving the engine is not the best idea as it's something that happens a lot around dive sites, how would you know it was your boat engine that was revving? If yours is the only boat on site and everyone has been briefed it would be OK.
:=The scaffold tube works quite well, I've seen one that was about 3 feet long, and hung on a rope passed through a hole drilled in one end, it was struck with a bit of metal bar tied to the other end of a rope. This is better as sometimes you just haven't got a lump hammer available. ;-) It's better to make the whole tool for the job, than to rely on finding an essential part in the boat when you need it most. The good thing about this method is that the operator can ring it a few times to ensure everyone has a chance to hear it. And it costs nowt to make.
:=The firebell sounds like a good idea, but you'd have to hold it in the water and that might not be too easy, a scaffold tube could be cut as long as you need it to be.
:=
:=Hope this helps.

Andy sorry to sound dim but, I like the sound of your idea but not quite sure how you use yours, is it a case of just whacking the pole with the metal bar while you dangle it in the water, or do you have to bash the pole on the part of the pole that is under the surface.


No probs Nick.
Hold the scaffold pole end in the water as low as is comfortable, bash the upper end with the metal bar.
PS It's not actually my idea, I've just seen it done this way. It seemed to work fine as all the divers came up within a few minutes.
I guess you could have a few trials in the pool and see what works best.
There's definitely no need to hit the pole under the water, the vibrations travel down the pole and the water carries the noise off to the divers.




.

[deepbreath]

:=:=:=Hi, yes this is becoming a bit of a bee in my bonnet too. I've trawled the web pages for a diver recall device and apart from some very expensive electronic devices offered by American companies there is nothing commercially available on offer.
:=:=:=
:=:=:=There was one company called "Whallop Industries" who took over the design rights and manufacture of a device which was lowered into the water which was depth actuated and let off a cartridge. The unit was at one time available to dive clubs (Deeside Branch had one)but Whallop Industries now only supply the military and will not supply retailers or clubs.(snipped)
:=:=
:=:=Our branch used to have one of these, I don't know if we still have it or not.
:=:=We did a couple of test runs with it when we got it, and it sounds a bit like someone hitting a dustbin lid half a mile away, I'd say it was only really effective if you were actually listening for it, and aware of what it sounds like. Of course it only bangs once and if you miss it.... you miss it.
:=:=Revving the engine is not the best idea as it's something that happens a lot around dive sites, how would you know it was your boat engine that was revving? If yours is the only boat on site and everyone has been briefed it would be OK.
:=:=The scaffold tube works quite well, I've seen one that was about 3 feet long, and hung on a rope passed through a hole drilled in one end, it was struck with a bit of metal bar tied to the other end of a rope. This is better as sometimes you just haven't got a lump hammer available. ;-) It's better to make the whole tool for the job, than to rely on finding an essential part in the boat when you need it most. The good thing about this method is that the operator can ring it a few times to ensure everyone has a chance to hear it. And it costs nowt to make.
:=:=The firebell sounds like a good idea, but you'd have to hold it in the water and that might not be too easy, a scaffold tube could be cut as long as you need it to be.
:=:=
:=:=Hope this helps.
:=
:=Andy sorry to sound dim but, I like the sound of your idea but not quite sure how you use yours, is it a case of just whacking the pole with the metal bar while you dangle it in the water, or do you have to bash the pole on the part of the pole that is under the surface.
:=

No probs Nick.
Hold the scaffold pole end in the water as low as is comfortable, bash the upper end with the metal bar.
PS It's not actually my idea, I've just seen it done this way. It seemed to work fine as all the divers came up within a few minutes.
I guess you could have a few trials in the pool and see what works best.
There's definitely no need to hit the pole under the water, the vibrations travel down the pole and the water carries the noise off to the divers.




.

Ok andy thanks for that, sounds good, I will give that a try, I like nice simple ideas,

Nick.

[Geoff Oldfield]

Yep, worth a try. Will get one made up from some ally scaffolding tube and leave in the boat so we can test it next time the boat goes out. Know it works in the pool, we've used that method for getting everyone out for ages. Will run a test to check for depth and area coverage and report back.

Geoff

[Andy Wade]

Yep, worth a try. Will get one made up from some ally scaffolding tube and leave in the boat so we can test it next time the boat goes out. Know it works in the pool, we've used that method for getting everyone out for ages. Will run a test to check for depth and area coverage and report back.



Hmmmmm. Alloy scaffold tube.
I never thought of it before, but would a galvanised steel tube make a better ring than an Alloy tube, because the steel is denser?
Any metallurgists out there? Or campanalogists?



.

[terryh]

:=Yep, worth a try. Will get one made up from some ally scaffolding tube and leave in the boat so we can test it next time the boat goes out. Know it works in the pool, we've used that method for getting everyone out for ages. Will run a test to check for depth and area coverage and report back.
:=


Hmmmmm. Alloy scaffold tube.
I never thought of it before, but would a galvanised steel tube make a better ring than an Alloy tube, because the steel is denser?
Any metallurgists out there? Or campanalogists?


Not only that, Ali is a bit soft.

Steel Scaffold tube is either "Black" (colour it comes in when
new, although it's soon brown) or Galv (self explantory).
Dont forget though that you can get Galv steel in a massive
range of sizes, maybe a bit of 40mm + 50mm hung together
between a handle made from something inert like wood and bash
like a clapper between the two.
Result = ding-dong diver recall (DDDR).

Quick add that to dive Instucts Abbs page!

TerryH

[Geoff Oldfield]

Mmmm, had another thought on the subject of using galvanised scaffolding tube and with the restricted space in our RIB it would save us carrying our OPEK. The galvanised tube would do both jobs.

OPEK = Offshore P*n*s Extension Kit, for delivering unwanted fluids clear of the tubes. Traditionally this has been a two foot length of 1.5 inch white plastic waste pipe - which wouldn't work too well as a diver recall, particularly if banged with a lump hammer. Mental note, must remember to choose the right moment to recall divers!!!

Have great picture of Alistair Reynolds testing said OPEK on field trials for the BSAC, unfortunately it didn't get into the BSAC's Dive Manual or the Powerpoint Slides - well not the BSAC ones anyway!

Thanks for the tips everyone

Geoff

[Andy Wade]

Mmmm, had another thought on the subject of using galvanised scaffolding tube and with the restricted space in our RIB it would save us carrying our OPEK. The galvanised tube would do both jobs.

OPEK = Offshore P*n*s Extension Kit, for delivering unwanted fluids clear of the tubes. Traditionally this has been a two foot length of 1.5 inch white plastic waste pipe - which wouldn't work too well as a diver recall, particularly if banged with a lump hammer. Mental note, must remember to choose the right moment to recall divers!!!

Have great picture of Alistair Reynolds testing said OPEK on field trials for the BSAC, unfortunately it didn't get into the BSAC's Dive Manual or the Powerpoint Slides - well not the BSAC ones anyway!

Thanks for the tips everyone

I think that if you hit it really hard just when someone is using it for a leak, all the divers in the area will be at the surface very shortly....
;-)




.

[Nick McV]

A method that is good when using SMB's is to have a weighted karabina with a small slate attached. Clip it on to the line and let it make its way down to the divers.

Advantages - Selective, more reliable than trying to use tug signals on the SMB line, and allows a brief message to be passed.

Disadvantages - Only works on SMBs, Need multiple clips if lots of dive pairs are in the water.

[nick kay]

(Edited) Lets rephrase that...

Never thought of it before, but was looking for costs for a pocket mask & found the following for diver recall device:

<a href="http://www.divingdirectshop.co.uk/acatalog/SAFETYACCESSORIES.html" >http://www.divingdirectshop.co.uk/acatalog/SAFETYACCESSORIES.html</a>

I've seen air horns advertised for surface use, but never before for underwater use???

[janos]

&gt;Never thought of it before, but was looking for costs for a pocket mask

It's worth looking at www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk They also do good cheap fire extinguishers and first aid kits.

Laters,
Janos

[PeteM]

I've seen them advertised for surface use, but never before for underwater use???

Other training agencies teach in water AV using a mask rather than mouth to nose, great idea providing you always remember to take it with you

[terryh]

(Edited) Lets rephrase that...

Never thought of it before, but was looking for costs for a pocket mask & found the following for diver recall device:

http://www.divingdirectshop.co.uk/acatalog/SAFETYACCESSORIES.html

I've seen air horns advertised for surface use, but never before for underwater use???


Or better still go to the main man ....

<a href="http://www.intersurgical.com/ProductCatalog/ProductPage.asp?partnum=1158000" >http://www.intersurgical.com/ProductCatalog/ProductPage.asp?partnum=1158000</a>

Works out at about ?10 and you can buy the filters seperatly.
If you dont want to pay postage then get over ?100 in total and
it's free (well it was last time I bought some).

If you get a few mates together you can saev 50% on even web
prices. And yes it is exactly the same pocket mask.

NB: The skirt gets affected by chlorine and sea salts and
you will eventually have to bin it.

TerryH

[Paul Jeacock]

Thunderflashes still easieast.. Try <a href="http://www.sailgb.com/sshop/prod_info" >http://www.sailgb.com/sshop/prod_info</a>

[ja ja blinks]

Hi all, wonder if anybody can give me any ideas of how to make a diver recall device for use on our boat, I know you can buy one that fires blank cartridges but thats not for me, perhaps some kind of metal device lowered into the water on a rope, I do have access to welding equip.
Regards Nick.

I find that a mobile phone on Vibrate works if you are wearing a drysuit and forget to take it out of your wolly bear pocket prior to diving.
Who knows maybe we will see a system of communication with amount of vibrates that one feels. A similar system to tugs on a piece of rope seems a good starting point

[NeilB]

Nevil,
how are you and how are the frozen Siberian plains. OK so Shakalin is not actually the plains but I bet it is colder than Oman. Nice to see you are still around.