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Diver Location Trials
Heriot-Watt
University
underwent
a
series
of
trials
to
assess
the
various
devices
used
to
locate
divers
on
behalf
of
the
HSE.
Much
of
this
work
was
undertaken
from
the
Jean
Elaine.
The
full
report
is
now
out
and
can
be
seen
at
HSE
Report.
Devices
tested
ranged
from
the
usual
bits
and
pieces,
such
as
delayed
SMBs,
flags
and
buoys,
to
the
more
exotic,
such
as
EPIRBs
and
sea-dye.
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| A diver's head | A model diver! |
The devices were tied to a shot and sewn across the Flow by an inflatable
before the Jean Elaine started her search. The distance before the device
was noticed was recorded and then the search repeated from a different aspect
to take into account all the environmenntal conditions. Distances before the devices were spotted were greatly affected by these conditions, including
sea-state, wind direction, drizzle and fog.
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| Setting up a device | Sewing an "A" flag |
The simple yellow flag was found to be the most effective device by far: even a local ferry on it's way past reported a sighting!
Finally, on the last day the experts had a go. A joint search by the S&R Helicopter and the Stromness Lifeboat was organised.
