Strobes - and why the hell you should buy one!!

bigfeller

Below is a copy of an incident report that my buddy and myself hacked together after our dive on Wednesday. Buddy was on her 10th dive, I'm at about 250.

(Some names changed)

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Date: 22/06/2005

Time: 21:17.

Location: Between Muglins and Dalkey Island.

Conditions: Force 3
Slightly Choppy
Sunshine and clear skies

Divers: bigfeller and Louanda



Incident Description: After kitting and performing a full buddy check we dropped into the water at what the depth sounder was reading 20m. After performing a surface check we started our descent. We kept close and did not lose contact even though it got darker below 10m. We hit the bottom at 20m. bigfeller hit first with Louanda about 1.5m above. After hitting the bottom we started to move in a Northerly direction with at least a 5 knot current. bigfeller took a hold of Louanda to make sure that they didn't get separated. Once we had a hold of each other bigfeller checked his computer and noted the depth at 30m and descending. With fully inflated jackets we were still descending.

At 32m we levelled out and started to ascend slowly. We ascended at 10m/min (for the most part) until we hit the surface. Total dive time was 7 minutes. We noticed that we were about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile north of the Muglins and drifting in the general direction of Howth. We deployed the SMB , turned on the strobe and attempted to signal with the torch. The boats were too far away and looking in the other direction as the tides were running south, apart from the one we found, and we had no luck in getting their attention. Also there was a bit of a swell and we were in the sun on the longest day of the year. Both of us were happy on the surface and there were no problems apart from a touch of sea sickness.

We decided to fin towards shore with the intention of getting back in line with the Muglins, the idea being that we would be in a more likely search area when they came looking for us. Shortly after we were due to return from our original dive time we saw and heard the flare going up from the RNLI in Dun Laoghaire. We then realised that the club boats had contacted the emergency services as per the plan. We then noticed the emergency vehicle in the Loreto Convent in Dalkey. We attempted to signal with the torch and the strobe was on the entire time. We then saw the lifeboat coming from the harbour and they picked us up straight away. For a volunteer organisation you'd be harder pushed to find a more professional bunch. Once we were safely on board we were fully checked and asked if we were cold - which was the least of our worries. Our DO joined us on the lifeboat to ensure all was in order. After getting back to shore the RNLI kept an eye on us for 30 mins and then dropped us back to the cars where we were able to get a much appreciated beer after getting dry!

At no point in the whole incident did either of us panic or worry. It was a given that we would be picked up. The incident was more of an inconvenience than anything. Many thanks and apologies to our buddies in the boats for causing them worry and to be out there freezing and sea sick while we bobbed around safely.

Recommendations: Strobes. The first thing one of the lifeboatmen said to me was that he could see the strobe from the harbour mouth, especially with the benefit of height above the water. For the 40 odd euro one of these costs they are worth their weight in gold!

Next time something like that happens it might be worth putting someone on one of the islands as they'll be able to see a lot more. Also if the tide was too strong to fin against (not the case that particular night) we were going to tie the weights onto the reel and drop them. It would have made a good makeshift anchor. Also I'll be adding a small spring shackle to my dit so I can attach the strobe to the top of the smb should something like this happen again.

After looking back over the incident there is nothing we would or could have changed. It seemed to be one of those things. Just a small bit of bad luck. We had complete faith in the rest of the club members to find us or to contact the rescue services.



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I suppose that by putting this up here I am inviting criticism for something I have done - mind you if it helps one person then fook it!!

Safe diving folks!!

bf

Miss Polaris

Thanks for posting that Bigfeller, it is important to share incidents so that we can learn. I have always been reluctant to use a strobe (due to their adverse health effects) but my buddies use one. There are so many good reasons for doing so. They are definately more visible than a torch alone.

Good to hear you were all safe and sound!

:-)

bigfeller

Not too sure about the detrimental effects of strobes, apart from epilepsy, but luckily I don't suffer. Was sooo glad to have it that night.

All safe and sound and heading out for beers with the club langers...and to suffer the inevitable slagging!

workflow

Nice to read this given that I just purchased 4 strobe lights in Lidls! Interesting description of the incident...gives you a lot of faith in the RNLI. Best thing about this story is the lesson that you ALWAYS stay calm.

dublinbay

Have you learned from this? I`m not referring to strobes.

bigfeller wrote:

Below is a copy of an incident report that my buddy and myself hacked together after our dive on Wednesday. Buddy was on her 10th dive, I'm at about 250.

(Some names changed)

#################################################################

Date: 22/06/2005

Time: 21:17.

Location: Between Muglins and Dalkey Island.

Conditions: Force 3
Slightly Choppy
Sunshine and clear skies

Divers: bigfeller and Louanda



Incident Description: After kitting and performing a full buddy check we dropped into the water at what the depth sounder was reading 20m. After performing a surface check we started our descent. We kept close and did not lose contact even though it got darker below 10m. We hit the bottom at 20m. bigfeller hit first with Louanda about 1.5m above. After hitting the bottom we started to move in a Northerly direction with at least a 5 knot current. bigfeller took a hold of Louanda to make sure that they didn't get separated. Once we had a hold of each other bigfeller checked his computer and noted the depth at 30m and descending. With fully inflated jackets we were still descending.

At 32m we levelled out and started to ascend slowly. We ascended at 10m/min (for the most part) until we hit the surface. Total dive time was 7 minutes. We noticed that we were about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile north of the Muglins and drifting in the general direction of Howth. We deployed the SMB , turned on the strobe and attempted to signal with the torch. The boats were too far away and looking in the other direction as the tides were running south, apart from the one we found, and we had no luck in getting their attention. Also there was a bit of a swell and we were in the sun on the longest day of the year. Both of us were happy on the surface and there were no problems apart from a touch of sea sickness.

We decided to fin towards shore with the intention of getting back in line with the Muglins, the idea being that we would be in a more likely search area when they came looking for us. Shortly after we were due to return from our original dive time we saw and heard the flare going up from the RNLI in Dun Laoghaire. We then realised that the club boats had contacted the emergency services as per the plan. We then noticed the emergency vehicle in the Loreto Convent in Dalkey. We attempted to signal with the torch and the strobe was on the entire time. We then saw the lifeboat coming from the harbour and they picked us up straight away. For a volunteer organisation you'd be harder pushed to find a more professional bunch. Once we were safely on board we were fully checked and asked if we were cold - which was the least of our worries. Our DO joined us on the lifeboat to ensure all was in order. After getting back to shore the RNLI kept an eye on us for 30 mins and then dropped us back to the cars where we were able to get a much appreciated beer after getting dry!

At no point in the whole incident did either of us panic or worry. It was a given that we would be picked up. The incident was more of an inconvenience than anything. Many thanks and apologies to our buddies in the boats for causing them worry and to be out there freezing and sea sick while we bobbed around safely.

Recommendations: Strobes. The first thing one of the lifeboatmen said to me was that he could see the strobe from the harbour mouth, especially with the benefit of height above the water. For the 40 odd euro one of these costs they are worth their weight in gold!

Next time something like that happens it might be worth putting someone on one of the islands as they'll be able to see a lot more. Also if the tide was too strong to fin against (not the case that particular night) we were going to tie the weights onto the reel and drop them. It would have made a good makeshift anchor. Also I'll be adding a small spring shackle to my dit so I can attach the strobe to the top of the smb should something like this happen again.

After looking back over the incident there is nothing we would or could have changed. It seemed to be one of those things. Just a small bit of bad luck. We had complete faith in the rest of the club members to find us or to contact the rescue services.



#################################################################

I suppose that by putting this up here I am inviting criticism for something I have done - mind you if it helps one person then fook it!!

Safe diving folks!!

bf