markh 0 Posted December 16, 2002 Well here it is folks.....The ultimate SMB as marketed by our very own CYBERFISH. I defy anybody to get lost with one of these. Apparently it rolls up to the size of a compact 15L tank. It also doubles up as some sort of toy. Enjoy Mark H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markh 0 Posted December 16, 2002 I would attach the photo if it would let me. Help please!! Mark H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markh 0 Posted December 16, 2002 2nd attempt at attaching photo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 16, 2002 The correct web address is AQUATEC It rolls up to the size of the .4l bottle which is replaced in the production model by a 0.2l jobby. Both fit snuggly into a separately available tool bag which clips to a BCD. Available in flourescent green too from $75.00 + shipping The text is optional! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arnon_Ayal 1 Posted December 16, 2002 Hi Bob, can you tell more about what is written in the JR Mother Buoy page about the recovering of divers in Maldives? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 16, 2002 Yes, During January of 2000 I was taking part in a dive with my partner/buddy on HP reef in the Maldives. The current was seen to be running but the guides had not anticipated just how much and what effect the reef was having on the direction of this current. Nor did they anticipate the effect it might have on the majority of divers who were wholly inexperienced... Within seconds of entry it was made more than obvious this was a washing machine scenario. In my lengthy experience I have faced them before, without I might add any irrisponsibility, and I can cope with the associated problems of down current - However, newcomers cannot and I immediately became aware of how bad it was when the mask of my buddy was pushed around her face and her reg came adrift. [i had previously insisted she added a regulator retainer to her kit - foresight] The current forced us apart but I managed to intercept her held her still and calmed her down in the lea of a large rock. She decided to continue the dive and we went a little way further and found 3 divers in the lea of another rock white knuckling the bottom at 25m. Adjacent to these was a school of snapper and the first time I had seen fish having real stability problems - they were no having fun either. I looked at the divers - 1 Japanese girl, a German lad and a Frenchman - they were all wide eyed and clearly in a state of "outathere". I decided there was no other option than to assist them out as best I could... I signalled my buddy that I would release the Mother Buoy whilst holding on to a large rock, allowing the reel to run its 35m to ensure the buoy hit the surface. [The beauty of this buoy is once it hits the surface through brute force 52 lbs of lift the only drag left is on the line and minimal] She then dragged the divers to the line whilst I held it tight and signalled for them to do a slow ascent and stop at 5m. I would in the meantime loose my grip and drift negitively below them (as I loosed a could see another Frenchman below, but could do nothing for him except signal ascent instructions before being whisked off into the channel). This they did and my buddy waited for me at 5m to wind my way up to a point we could see each other. At this point I instructed her onto the boat whilst I stayed an extra ten minutes for the buffeting and seesawing I had experienced enroute between 25 & 35m, also allowing the dhoni to go look for other survivers. It was amazing to watch as my expelled air bubbles travelled sideways and down, but felt comfortable that my skyhook was steadfast. After 10 minutes I ascended and was recovered by the boat but things were grim - no sign of the other Frenchman - his wife (who had ascended with two more girls within minutes after getting separated) was understandably upset. I instructed one guide who had ascened with those girls to get ready to drop in again, but fortunately the boatman spotted his head safely above water. I won't say what happened after the main guide came out as it got colourful in 4 languages! Another good thing about this buoy is the fact it only stands vertical whilst you hanging on it. This shows the boat whether you are stopping or travelling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 17, 2002 Here's the Mother Buoy rolled with redundant 0.2l bottle and storage bag. All you need then is a good reel. I recommend the DIN fitting setup as its neater. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arnon_Ayal 1 Posted December 18, 2002 Greate story! But why didn't you took pictures during that? B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markh 0 Posted December 18, 2002 Bob, I can relate to your story. Similar near misses have occurred whilst diving from hardboats in the UK. Not very nice. I currently use a lead weighted short stubby version but feel sometimes the need for something a lot better. I quite like the look of this Mother Buoy. I think I might treat myself for Xmas. That'll boost your commission bonus Bob!! Mark H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 18, 2002 "I wish" I even have to pay for my own units! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 18, 2002 BTW the new rating suits you to a tee! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markh 0 Posted December 18, 2002 If I keep posting these useless messages it'll change. I'll get to blue whale before you can say Yam Yam! I know now why you reply to all the posted messages!! LOL M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markh 0 Posted December 18, 2002 Bob, I have an idea. If we just keep sending useless one liners responding to each other we could reach blue whale status before Xmas. I know your a badge hunter at heart!! M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 26, 2002 There's another life been saved by one of these units today - I have just heard from Maldives that a MB purschaser and his buddy were picked up by a seaplane having drifted 8 miles out to open ocean in bad weather. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davephdv 0 Posted December 27, 2002 Can you manually inflate that thing?? I've found over the years to always have a manual backup capacity. Small bottles have a tendency sooner or later to end up empty. No matter how reguarly you check them. Also is it small enough that you will always carry it with you without deciding that you could you skip carrying it for this dive or trip because their is no danger. On one dive trip the boat gave me a tube that was a simple cheap plasitic tube of similar size that was quite compact and diposable. I still carry that one as well as one of similar construction as the one protrayed, but much smaller and only manually inflatable by mouth. They both fit in the same small BCD pocket. :ph34r: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 27, 2002 There are 2 ways to carry this unit practically: 1. In the tool pouch above. 2. With a short lanyard-clip around the neck of the cylinder. Anything large put inside a standard BCD pocket will hinder it's full inflation potential. Before the tool pouch was employed we all carried the unit with a lanyard-clip and the reel clipped on this. Many of my friends still do and it's hardly noticable during a dive. We always check and fill bottles before the regs go on the main cylinder, but once filled these small cylinders do not leak. They will not fill orally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery-when-wet 0 Posted December 29, 2002 John at Aquatec is very nice and true to his word - we got our 2 din type Motherbuoys complete with mini cylinders within just two days of ordering. So if you see 2 big orange fingers sticking out of the sea with "His & Hers" written on them it will more than likely be us! Great instructions too Bob xxx P. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markh 0 Posted December 30, 2002 "LOST DIVERS RECOVERED AFTER 24 HOURS IN INDIAN OCEAN A group of three men, including one British diver, and their Sri Lankan-based dive guides were rescued by fishermen after spending the night at sea. The group were reported missing in Negombo after they failed to return from a dive. The Sri Lankan Navy started a search, but strong winds had taken them a considerable distance out to sea. The Dutch, German and British tourists, together with their guides, were eventually spotted the following day by local fishermen approximately 10 miles south of their original position. Despite being in considerable distress, the men were reported to be in good health. 27 December 2002" Could have done with the motherbuoy me thinks!!!!!!! There seem to be a lot of reports like this coming from this neck of the woods. Having dived there myself I know currents are strong but WHAT the heck is is going on in the Indian Ocean? Are the diving operators at fault? Are the conditions not conducive to diving? or is it just human error? Mark H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 30, 2002 Could have done with the motherbuoy me thinks!!!!!!! There seem to be a lot of reports like this coming from this neck of the woods. Having dived there myself I know currents are strong but WHAT the heck is is going on in the Indian Ocean? Are the diving operators at fault? Are the conditions not conducive to diving? or is it just human error? Mark H Yes, it's all of those - I think it is a BSAC run operation there too... Ha Hah! It's a lot more comforting to get lost in a bunch than being alone! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markh 0 Posted December 30, 2002 Ahhh. That explains it then. BSAC - Better Send Another Chopper!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cybergoldfish 1 Posted December 30, 2002 Like it!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
