Any comments on the ACR 2881 ResQLink+ PLB Floating PLB?

[CuzzA]

True, but you will be exerting yourself heavily, especially if seas pick up and you're baking in the sun. Food would certainly not be necessary, but I can understand the logic behind bringing a drink.

But again, this was one take away I got from the first hand account of 5 hours lost at sea. While medically, I'm sure he probably could have gone a day or so without hydration. But, he stated how badly thirst was bothering him. Throwing up doesn't help either, nor does taking in saltwater.

Nevertheless, I think, if you have a PLB, there's little reason to bring a drink. Assuming you're diving in a location where rescue would be prompt (Within several hours). Otherwise, it's worth considering.

 

[Kevrumbo]

The Custom Divers canister is much smaller. I had to slice about a 1/16th of an inch off my ResQLink+ antenna to fit it. There's a US distributor out of Seminole, FL.

Despite the size of the ones you guys have which aren't very streamlined, at least you could fit an energy bar and perhaps even a caprisun or some other flexible drink. Having just heard a first hand account of a 5 hour drift, one of the things that stood out from the story was the dying of thirst. With every hour I imagine it gets worse and worse as you continue to take in saltwater and throw up.

For a 2010 Wreck Expedition to the WWII Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes off of east coast Sri Lanka, along with the PLB, I brought a Halcyon Diver's Life Raft and a Deep Sea Supply Hydration Pack:
DeepSeaSupply - Product Detail

We did a lot of drifting deco diving, and if the dive skiff lost sight of your SMB --you were essentially adrift in the Indian Ocean, next land mass West being Madagascar some 3000 miles away. . .

 

[CuzzA]

^ That would certainly be a dive to bring hydration.... And should I dare say a big sharp knife. Sounds like Mako and White Tip territory to me.

 

[BFRedrocks]

That note that it will fit in a BC pocket is just a mistake. He really should remove that. I used a key-ring to attach it to a bolt clip, then to a D-ring. A little buoyant, but that's good too. You'd hate for it to sink if you fumbled on the surface. If you do an empty test, stick a small weight inside.

The claim of "Zero maintenance required" is a little misleading, as you do want to lube the 0-ring with silicone grease. It's not a big deal if it leaks some as the PLB is water resistant to several feet, but still.

"Topside carry pouch included." A nice extra, but don't use it in the water.

Hey DandyDon, I've had this canister out twice for 4 dives total so far, deepest being 110 feet, but I've only dove with it empty (no PLB) other than putting some paper towels inside. After both dive days I opened the canister, and while it wasn't flooded, the paper towels were saturated. I've used lots of silicone lube on the O-ring and closed the canister tight each time, yet there was enough water inside to saturate the paper towels.

My question to you is, when you've used it, have you found some condensation inside the canister after diving? How much water has been inside, or is it always bone dry? Here in AZ the air temperature has been 95-100+ and the water temperature anywhere from 82 down to 62 degrees, so I know that's possible, but it seemed like more water inside than just from condensation. I'm planning on diving with it again, but this time put the paper towels inside a ziplock to see how wet it actually gets.

And I know that a little water won't hurt the PLB based on its water resistant characteristics, but I still want to have confidence in the canister when I actually use it with my PLB.

Thanks!!

 

[CuzzA]

I'm not familiar with Don's canister, but if you can wrap silicone tape on the outside where the two sections meet that may seal it completely off.

If it's new, I would probably ask for a replacement.

 

[Rred]

A thought from out of the box:
Try a 10" water filter canister. Order one with a "no holes, no pressure relief button" solid top, or else get one without a relief button and just use epoxy to fill the hose connections.
They're cheap, under $30 if you look around. Bulkier, yes, but big enough for the EPIRB and other things, and they are rated up to 175psi pressure. Granted that's for containing pressurized water, not a crush rating, but it still is a robust plastic casting with one o-ring to seal it down. Leave it on your float line, or attach it to your tank or backplate.
And, if you shop carefully? You can get it CLEAR so that you can see if there's any water intrusion very easily. And there's enough room to put two inches of "expanding dry sponge" or kitty litter under the EPIRB, to absorb any trickles that do happen. You might want to replace the factory o-ring with something better from McMaster or Grainger for the long term though.

FWIW.

 

[DandyDon]

My question to you is, when you've used it, have you found some condensation inside the canister after diving? How much water has been inside, or is it always bone dry?

I lubed the o-ring, stuck the PLB in, closed it, and did 10 dives in Cozumel last month. When I opened it, I did not notice any water. You may well want to talk to whomever sold it to you.

if you can wrap silicone tape on the outside where the two sections meet that may seal it completely off.

I've never worked with such. Sounds like a good idea: Nashua Tape 1 in. x 3.33 yd. Stretch and Seal Self-Fusing Silicone Tape in Black-1208952 - The Home Depot

 

[tridacna]

I have over 120 dives with my cannister with zero leakage. You have a bad cannister. I barely grease the thing either.

 

[seeker242]

If anyone is looking to purchase a PLB, now is a good time. $50 mail in rebate offer until Dec 31.

 

[DandyDon]

If anyone is looking to purchase a PLB, now is a good time. $50 mail in rebate offer until Dec 31.

Yep, and be sure to buy from competitive sellers. TheGpsStore.com and others are offering the ACR2881 for $245, free shipping, so your net cost is $195 - good for 5 years = 75c/week.

Amazingly, sites like Pricefalls.com is charging $448 for the same model, and they don't even have it in stock - delivery in 2 or 3 weeks. See ripoff ad here. Even Amazon is charging $317.70.

I carry mine inside a cheap bag I found that helps prevent accidentally deploying the antenna or worse, setting off a false alarm, but remember - if you ever need to use it, do so, which depletes the battery, but ACR will replace it free when you send it in with your rescue story.