Blackout survival tool

  • spearos,


    Before I posted this I contacted 2 of the top prominent people associated with R&D of the Maas Automatic SWB Vest. Both answered positively and quickly. Thanks to both.
    I freedive/kayak alone [not smart] off Miami and have been worried about SWB since 1975. I am eager to buy the wonderful Anti-SWB Automatic Vest by Terry Maas [one of my spearfishing heros]. As I kayak I have been using a cheap [price] West Marine Manual Inflatable Comfort Series Type V vest to meet the boating regulations here in Florida. One day years ago I forgot to take this vest off before my first freedive of the day. As I was already in the water I just left the vest on and started my freedives. I had no problem diving with this vest 40-50fsw so I just kept wearing it while diving the rest of the day and have worn it every day diving since. I have blown this vest up by the tube while on the surface to rest and relax, etc. I was not sure that this manual inflate vest would work for SWB until last week when I must have passed out while freediving. I knew that I was a little to deep/to long and tried to get up but started going out about 10ft or so from the surface. I remember putting my hand on the manual inflate pull string and that is all I remember until I woke up on the surface. Then I got really scared when I realized must have passed out and dropped my gun and was lucky to be alive on the surface face up with the vest inflated.
    I am bothered knowing that this cheap manual inflate vest probably saved my life and that other spearos might have similar good outcomes if they knew of my experience. I would hate to read of another freedive SWB injury/death that could possibly be prevented by this $65. manaul vest that had worked for me.
    My conscious has forced me to write this. My sole intent is to do the right thing by informing other spearos. I do not want spearos to think that this $65. manual vest will save them from SWB. This manual vest is not designed for diving. This manual vest is not designed to prevent SWB. What I am saying is that this manual vest did work for me and that it is better than nothing. I am saying that I will never freedive again without a vest and will use this manual vest on every freedive until the Maas Automatic SWB Vest become available. Again, this manual vest is only better than nothing.
    I have no ties with anyone or company. Manual Inflatable Type V Suspender vests are manufactured/marketed by many companies. What I wrote is only my opinion and my experience and is written to inform only. CO2 inflatable vests have inherent dangers.
    Sorry this was so long. I hope what I wrote helps someone.
    Never dive alone.


    hau

  • This life vest is a must if you're diving from the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. The lifeguards will not let swim out without it, it's one of the rules. I found cheap ones in Bass pro for around $40 but they're manual inflation by mouth only. I didn't buy it and instead I start the dive before the lifeguards begin their shift. They can't stop you from coming in though whatever your condition is.

  • hau's a good guy. Went out on a shore dive not to long ago. He's been spearing for a very long time lots of info to share.


    I wanted to add this as an alternative to a more costly item. It was given to me by a SEAL friend, told me he has taken it down very deep, and it still works well. . .
    Maybe these could be picked up at a local surplus for a few dollars.




    It also has the valve you wrote about Dan. It’s a great design no sowing all glue.


    Larry O M . . .

  • I like how everyone says don't dive alone, but yet everyone does dive alone most of the time...

    I am looking for a dive buddy and spearfishing friends in Tampa Bay area. I have all my own gear. Text me to the number on my avatar picture.

  • Rub indeed. I have never gone on a dive alone, but the majority of the time I'm alone. We keep tabs on each other. When we surface we look around and see if everything looks ok, but what does that really do? If the worst were to happen to my buddy I would be there just in time to drag his body to the boat/shore. So I suppose I am there to make sure his body is returned to his family (don't mean to sound bleak, but if we're being honest here let's put it all on the table). There are times where we are closer and doing one up one down and those are the times we'll push ourselves to our capabilities. With no one right there we play it as safe as one can in this sport.

  • Don't know if hau is still around, but I am curious how the vest saved him. If it is a manual inflate, how was he able to inflate it under water by mouth when he blacked out?


    Hau, if you're out there could you elaborate on this event? Did you just put whatever you had left in your lungs into the float as you were coming to the surface? Did you perhaps do it while not fully aware of what was going on and just woke up with it inflated (if so, nice inherent reactions!).

  • Well I'm not a hypocrite and I never said to anyone don't dive alone. I started spearfishing alone, had my most exciting experiences alone, and continue to do so. I've always perceived spearfishing as a solitary activity, though I do enjoy going out with friends. As such I concentrate on impoving my skills to stay safe within those parameters.


    Hau is in Guam now and rarely checks in the forum. He's my friend so I can tell you he continued to dive alone like the best of 'em :) He told me the story about his blackout but I can't remember the details of how the vest saved him.


  • Damn. Maybe I'll search the dreaded SB to see if he went into detail there.


    Sorry if you took what I was saying as calling you a hypocrite. Definitely not my intent. I was merely trying to add that those who "buddy dive" are basically solo diving as you and many other people do with the only difference being someone would be there to collect them if the worst should occur.

  • I only meant that I hear a lot of people preaching don't dive alone, and I can't imagine how they dive and spearfish. A mild way of stating that I think they're full of shit :laughing: I don't know another way that works in practice, and I wouldn't tell someone that what I myself do is wrong. So you'll never hear me say don't dive alone, or you should never dive alone. What does that mean anyways.. I just got home from the beach, while there I swam out a bit and made a couple of dives. Okay it was 6' to the sand but still :)

  • Okay it was 6' to the sand but still :)


    Dangerous game you're playing there. Ha! Joking aside, people drown in a few feet of water and even bathtubs all the time so no matter if it's 6' or 100' we must always be safe, alert, and on top of our game.

  • Sure, next thing you know FRVs are mandatory at public beaches and swimming pools.


    Don't even kid. Now you've just put the idea out in the universe and watch, some uptight mom (likely from CA) who sends her kids to school in full riot gear will be pressing for this.

  • I just got home from the beach, while there I swam out a bit and made a couple of dives. Okay it was 6' to the sand but still :)


    Jake blacked out and I almost did in water we could stand up in.....during that free dive course we took in ....2011. ? (had to throw that in there, Dan :laughing:)


    I think the only way two divers would stay together is if there is a shitload of fish.....which happens about as often as winning the lottery.....and you don't need to be such a sneaky bastard.

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