SCUBA SIGNALING DEVICES

Scuba divers can be hard to spot in the water, even a relatively short distance from a boat or shore if conditions are rough. Signaling devices are important safety equipment that help scuba divers be seen and heard if they need assistance. At a minimum, you should have at least one visual signaling device and at least one audible signaling device. Your signaling devices should be with you whenever you’re in the water, so make them a standard part of your kit.

• Whistles – Two-toned versions carry a long way over water.
• Inflatable signal tubes – These are brightly colored inflatable tubes that jut high above the surface to make you more visible.
• Signal mirror – Reflection is visible even to aircraft.
• Flasher – A repeating strobe, these are highly visible at night.
• Dye markers – Although not commonly carried by divers, dye markers are useful in open ocean (well beyond sight of shore) diving because they make a large colored area visible to boats and aircraft.
• Dive light – On a night dive, your dive light doubles as a signaling device.
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Avoid the biggest problem. The biggest problem related to surface signaling devices is not having them when you need them. Always have them with you and you always have them when you need one.