How often have you wanted to point out to your buddy a fantastic sight, and he’s not looking at you? Or if you’re running low on air and want to signal the end of the dive, but your dive buddy isn’t paying attention? Many divers who need to catch their buddy’s attention will generally have tried several techniques. Knocking on your tank to underwater rattlers that often aren’t very effective. Well, a New Zealand-based company, Scientific Divers, has created a unique, hands-free, and highly effective buddy signaling device.
Buddycall was created and designed by Wayne Smith, a Californian now residing in New Zealand sailing from California to New Zealand on his yacht. He wanted a device that could effectively signal his wife on dives that would be small, hands-free, and convenient.
Buddycall is a battery-operated diver-to-diver signaling device that enables you to attract the attention of other divers immediately. This is by creating a pleasant but attention-grabbing sound activated by pressing a sizeable visible button on the device. The Buddycall may be worn around your wrist like a watch or attached to other gear like a BCD and can be heard underwater for up to 100 feet (30 meters). It offers a wide communication radius; above water, the device can be heard for around 500 feet and is quite loud. The device is depth-rated to 110 feet without any issues. A diver can use a short burst of sound to get a buddy’s attention or leave it in the ON position for hands-free use in an emergency. Divers can also create and use simple codes to pass along messages easily when diving or snorkeling.
Unlike an air-powered signaling device that alerts a diver when the air tanks are low, the Buddycall operates independently. It can be used as an emergency device to alert your diving companions immediately or to keep in touch with a group to point something out or check how much air is left in their tank. It can signal low air or even an equipment or scuba equipment failure emergency.
The Buddycall is especially useful in low visibility situations or on night dives, where you can immediately locate your buddy by using auditory signals to help keep the group together. Dive Instructors, in particular, will love the Buddycall, especially when teaching a certification class; the Buddycall can signal students to pay attention to the instructor’s demos or summon divers straying from the group.
Tank bangers and rattle sticks occupy a diver’s hands and are clumsy and inconvenient, with divers often dropping or losing them. The buddycall has been programmed with a highly effective underwater sound that doesn’t scare away the fish.
Lastly, this device is relatively inexpensive for its range and functionality, allowing divers to pick up a couple or several of the Buddycall signaling devices for themselves and their diving companions without breaking the bank.
