One lucky diver

[Sushi Boy]

Always carry an SMB, y’all.

Coast Guard article/video:

Coast Guard rescues diver 75 miles offshore Myrtle Beach​

 

[Siren]

That was great video footage. It makes me feel a lot better knowing the Coast Guard are such bad a**es. That fist bump at the end was well deserved. It would be interesting to learn where they were diving and how far the guy had drifted away from the dive site.

 

[Sushi Boy]

It looked to me like the diver’s tank & BC didn’t make it in the basket. While I’d bet it’s the last thing he was worried about, I wonder what the protocol for that is.

 

[Lakediver]

It looked to me like the diver’s tank & BC didn’t make it in the basket. While I’d bet it’s the last thing he was worried about, I wonder what the protocol for that is.

I'm a little curious about that too. It didn't look like he even had to with anymore when he approached the basket. Kinda makes me wonder if they told him to drop his gear when the swimmer got him. I can see why they would ... the tank definitely wouldn't have fit in the basket. It looked like a pretty tight fit. And maybe a second basket maneuver would be too difficult/risky just for gear.

It's also a good argument for carrying a snorkel with you.

 

[Cajun Diver]

It looked to me like the diver’s tank & BC didn’t make it in the basket. While I’d bet it’s the last thing he was worried about, I wonder what the protocol for that is.

You can see his tank and BC just before he gets in the basket - I would think it's expendable since it would make the rescue more difficult. I've searched but can't find anything relevant and don't see it in their SAR documentation.

 

[Lakediver]

You can see his tank and BC just before he gets in the basket - I would think it's expendable since it would make the rescue more difficult. I've searched but can't find anything relevant and don't see it in their SAR documentation.

You have sharper eyes than I do. I just watched it again, and I still can't see the tank and BC.

 

[Siren]

Yes, I saw where the diver was placed into the basket without his BC and tank. Lakediver, when the diver starts getting lifted up, watch the CG rescuer swim with the diver's tank and BC away from the drop zone under the helicopter. There was definitely video editing/cropping - perhaps the basket went back down to recover the gear and the CG didn't feel that footage was necessary. There is a jump in the video after the diver is in the helicopter and the CG rescuer clips in and gets pulled up.

 

[Siren]

We get to watch the Coast Guard practice these drills in the Lydia Ann Channel down in Port Aransas. We are often sailing in the channel when they run their drills with the basket. The helicopter puts out a LOT of wind which makes for a very LOUD and CHOPPY sail. But it is super cool to watch.....over and over and over and over again.....alllllll the way down the channel and then again, and again, and again. hahahaha...

 

[Brambles]

If you look closely, it kinda looks like the swimmer is submerging the gear as the heli pulls away bringing the basket up. I imagine if they intend to leave it out there, then it would be safer to sink it.
I asked a retired USCG Heli Pilot friend of mine. Ill let you know what she says. =D

 

[Sushi Boy]

That’s what I was wondering about. Couldn’t imagine them leaving it floating on the surface but on the other hand, I guess logs, shipping containers, and other navigation hazards are lurking out there too. Curious to hear her reply.

 

[Brambles]

that was quick:

 

[Brambles]

So if you have really expensive integrated equipment or regulators, take them off and shove them in your wetsuit before the swimmer gets there.

 

[Brambles]

She confirmed that if they cant recover the gear then the swimmers are asked to sink the equipment if they have time and it can be done safely.

She also said you would be surprised at the number of people who are cussing them out on the flight back because they left their stuff.

 

[Tumblin' Dice]

75 miles is way outside the envelope of say a Nautilus Lifeline (34 miles assuming perfect conditions including LOS). This person was lucky as these sorts of incidents sometimes don’t have a happy ending.

Provides a real-world example of you might want to also consider — in addition to something that is VHF radio-based — a personal locator/communicator that is satellite-based. I have a little palm-sized Garmin InReach Mini 2 that I can control with my watch without having to take it out of its protective housing, but there are a number of options.

 

[Brambles]

Yeah, reinforces the fact that I will always travel with my DSMB, torch, and compass.

These finally came back into stock. https://www.divegearexpress.com/divesoft-fluorescein-marker-dye
Adding to my dive kit.

 

[VikingDiver]

I added the Garmin inreach mini2 and scuba case to my gear for the Egypt trip!

Garmin inReach® Mini 2 | Satellite Communicator | Messenger

inReach Mini 2 is a compact satellite communicator that provides peace of mind off the grid. Features include global satellite coverage & emergency SOS messaging.

www.garmin.com