reply to Roland
Roland,
I like your thoughts and your politeness. You’re a good example of how to communicate and not always agree with without being rude.
I’m thinking of trying to do something with the self-inflating life vest concept this winter when freediving is basically over in my area. By then I will have took my first course and know more about it. I am really just a beginner, although I have been scuba certified for some years.
There are two to choices to make. The first is which aftermarket vest to use and the second is what type of trigger device. I think it would only make sense to use an after market vest since they have been produced and refined for about 10 years now. I found one that sounds like it is built real good and it has a pressure relief valve. It is called SeaMax, but its expensive and not massed produce, and when I called the company the woman who answered said the man responsible for it was no longer there and directed me to someone else who did not seem to have much knowledge about it.
The SOSpenders product has been out for several years and is the number one seller. It does not have a pressure release valve, which will limit its ability to inflate fully at depth, but I would think a CO2 cartridge that fills it at surface would give some lift at any depth a constant ballast free diver can go. And since most SWB happen in shallow water on the ascent it should provide a lot of lift then. It’s real easy to get parts for them. They are sold at two boating stores in my area.
For the trigger device, I am leaning toward a total mechanical one, for two reasons. The sophistication of electronic devices coupled to a mechanical one and making it hold up in the salt water, is beyond my ability. I’m not an electronic engineer. Second, a total mechanical device maybe more fool proof.
The only thing I can think of is a handgernade type devise that would basically be a lever that you held shut and in the case of a SWB your hand would relax causing the lever to open and a spring would pull a cable pulling the lever of the CO2 activator. This of course is not without some negative complication, mainly the loss of use of the hand.
My speargun works best when I can hold the butt with my freehand. I had originally thought of incorporating the lever on my speargun handle, but I have realized that I take my hand of the handle often to and hold it more in the middle of the barrel for efficient on descents. I’m thinking of the one or two finger bicycle brake levers that are designed with cams to greatly multiply the force. This would give me a few free fingers and it is already designed to use with a cable. All the parts are mostly made out of aluminum and stainless. A pin method to hold it shut when not using it would be necessary.
I can think of lots of complication from not having the full use of the free hand. Such as exiting and boarding the boat, removing or putting back the safety on the gun, corralling a struggling fish, etc.. It would be much easier if I was not spearfishing and just freediving like you do.
Don
Roland,
I like your thoughts and your politeness. You’re a good example of how to communicate and not always agree with without being rude.
I’m thinking of trying to do something with the self-inflating life vest concept this winter when freediving is basically over in my area. By then I will have took my first course and know more about it. I am really just a beginner, although I have been scuba certified for some years.
There are two to choices to make. The first is which aftermarket vest to use and the second is what type of trigger device. I think it would only make sense to use an after market vest since they have been produced and refined for about 10 years now. I found one that sounds like it is built real good and it has a pressure relief valve. It is called SeaMax, but its expensive and not massed produce, and when I called the company the woman who answered said the man responsible for it was no longer there and directed me to someone else who did not seem to have much knowledge about it.
The SOSpenders product has been out for several years and is the number one seller. It does not have a pressure release valve, which will limit its ability to inflate fully at depth, but I would think a CO2 cartridge that fills it at surface would give some lift at any depth a constant ballast free diver can go. And since most SWB happen in shallow water on the ascent it should provide a lot of lift then. It’s real easy to get parts for them. They are sold at two boating stores in my area.
For the trigger device, I am leaning toward a total mechanical one, for two reasons. The sophistication of electronic devices coupled to a mechanical one and making it hold up in the salt water, is beyond my ability. I’m not an electronic engineer. Second, a total mechanical device maybe more fool proof.
The only thing I can think of is a handgernade type devise that would basically be a lever that you held shut and in the case of a SWB your hand would relax causing the lever to open and a spring would pull a cable pulling the lever of the CO2 activator. This of course is not without some negative complication, mainly the loss of use of the hand.
My speargun works best when I can hold the butt with my freehand. I had originally thought of incorporating the lever on my speargun handle, but I have realized that I take my hand of the handle often to and hold it more in the middle of the barrel for efficient on descents. I’m thinking of the one or two finger bicycle brake levers that are designed with cams to greatly multiply the force. This would give me a few free fingers and it is already designed to use with a cable. All the parts are mostly made out of aluminum and stainless. A pin method to hold it shut when not using it would be necessary.
I can think of lots of complication from not having the full use of the free hand. Such as exiting and boarding the boat, removing or putting back the safety on the gun, corralling a struggling fish, etc.. It would be much easier if I was not spearfishing and just freediving like you do.
Don