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----- Original Message ----- From: David Reinhard <reinhard@oc*.co*.au*> To: <techdiver@aquanaut.com> Hi Dave You wrote > Hi Guys, > I believe it is possible to get small personal EPIRBs, and with the > number of divers lately who have been left behind or drifted off in > currents I have been wondering about their use in diving. I recognise that > it would be best to ensure you don't get into this kind of situation but > things can go wrong even with the best planning. > I confess to having very little knowledge of how EPIRBs work so > some questions if anyone can help me: > > - roughly what size are they? The units on the British market are about half the size of a packet of fags...er...not queers, cigarettes. > - what sort of depth rating would they have or do they require a housing? About a metre but the ones marketed for diving come in a housing and IIRR rated to 50m although mine has been to 85. > - would batteries be user replacable Yes. PP3 (small square battery with two terminals on the end) > - are these small units "powerful" enough to do the job (ie signal strength > - or does the signal go via satellite)? All depends. A mile or two surface to surface (depending on height of reciever aerial) about 5 miles air / surface. > - when an EPIRB is activated who actually receives the signal? It transmits on the international distress requency which is ......erm....forgotten (150.5 ?) Aircraft and coastguard can pick it up but your dive boat skipper would have to buy a receiver with direction finder. > - are any/many divers using them (if not why not?) I know a few divers who have them and most of them, including myself and my better half, have had problems with the housing flooding. Funnily enough, it's usualy on shallow dives. I don't know if one has been used in anger. The British coastguard encourage their use. > - any particular brands better than others (any web sites)? I only know of the one brand, Marshal I think. Sorry if I sound a bit vague, I'm working away from home at the moment so haven't got the details to hand. If you need more info mail me at kevpix@gl*.co*.uk* and I'll try and help you when I get home. > Sorry if my questions are a bit naive but i am just trying to find out if > this is a useful concept or not. No problem. Kevin > > Thanks, > Dave. -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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