It’s one of the worst nightmare scenarios for a scuba diver: you lose sight of your dive buddy in low visibility, or you get pulled away by an errant current. Next thing you know, you’re alone. At the surface you see nothing but open water in every direction. Now what? Here’s what to do if you get separated from your dive boat.
Deploy your surface marker buoy (SMB). Every diver should carry one. Visibility counts, so choose one that contrasts with the water well. Neon yellow or bright orange are common color choices. A marker with reflective elements or that come with a strobe attachment will increase your chances of being seen, day or night.
A signal mirror is a compact and inexpensive tool to assist in getting help. If you can see a vessel or airborne search crews, you can signal your location. Mastering this simple device takes a bit of practice so read the instructions and familiarize yourself with how to use your mirror before heading out to dive.
Have an emergency whistle clipped to your BCD. This high pitched sound can travel a much greater distance than your voice so if you can see a vessel, get their attention with a whistle. There are also air horns available that can attach to your inflator hose. Although these are louder than a whistle, keep in mind that they may not work properly if your tank is empty.
Having a strobe or light with you is ideal, especially as night falls. You can use the light to illuminate your SMB, or you can signal boats or helicopters you hear even if you can’t make eye contact. LED lights have a longer burn time than incandescent.
Bear in mind that even if you can see the boat, the people aboard may not be able to see or hear you. Three or four foot swells can be enough to obscure someone on the boat from getting a visual on your location, and if you’re any distance away your shouting will likely not be heard. If you do get separated from your dive boat, having signaling gear with you will go a long way to turning a potential danger into an exciting scuba story to share later.
Images via gordon.milligan, Mal B
