surf safety

[rorymcl]

If surfers get into bother out in the sea, how do they alert someone? Is there a device for this? or is it a matter of people keeping an eye out. What type of equipment could you use or suggest to use?

Rory

[CHarvey]

Either don't get into "bother" or hope someone is keeping an eye out. This is where surf buddies come in handy.

[rorymcl]

cheers for that. would a signal device alerting someone on shore be of any use? I'm in the process of developing one- which is activated by pressing a button and sending a signal to summon help from someone on shore. i'm not trying to make a sale, just looking for some input that would be useful.

Rory

[CHarvey]

If you could some how tie it into the leash and have it transmit to the life gaurd onshore it may be effective. Then the surfer just has to reach down to his ankle (or calf depending on the style of leash) to activate it. If the life gaurds how the receiver in their shack then they would have an indicator to look for a board that is tombstoning or another sign of a surfer in distress.

[PapaW]

Big issue i can see here first of is the whole 'activting' pof the device. As anyone whose been surfing will know, you get thrown bout, hit by the board and by sand/rocks now if its a button then its going to be set off by accident so many times.

Personally I think it would be pointless to aim such product at surfers.. because anyone who is likly to need it (ie surf on own) will be at a hush break nd so 1 no lifeguards will be anywhere close and 2nd even if it went straight to coastguard it would be too late.
It may sound bit morose but I've been surf a long time nowand others here way longer again. I never would have even thought that something like this would be needed. I'm pretty sure that others here will agree with me on this one.

I'm not poo pooing your idea I just think it could be better applicated elsewhere, perhaps for Coastering groups and Kayak users. That or your just overlapping with the many devices that are out there for sailing.

[isaluteyou]

so 1 no lifeguards will be anywhere close and 2nd even if it went straight to coastguard it would be too late

My thoughts exactly. Its a good idea but probably not really practical if geared towards surfing as PW said would be better for group events kayaking/diving maybe - even then a multitude of obstacles would be present. I really dont see any surfers being particually interested in such a device. Another issue is that no surfer should rely on lifeguard assistance if you do you might want to not paddle out on that day nice to know they are around though

[CHarvey]

Agreed

[essex sucks]

yep i agree with pw

[Real Pol]

I'm gonna be the 3rd to agree with papa here...life guards? What are they?

What you need is something similar to that James Bond gadget for avalanches. When it's activated it inflates around you and you pop to the surface and can float or zorb into shore. It could be easily packed into a large rucksack and wouldn't get in the way of surfing much when it's packed away and could be activated by both stupid amounts of arm flapping and going limp.

There you go Rory, if you get a first at uni I want to be accredited, if you're off to the Dragons Den I want hard currency.

[garbarrage]

best advice i've ever heard - "if in doubt...don't go out!"...
if you get in trouble out there even with a buddy, you are pretty much on your own! none of the beaches i surf have lifegaurds on them and they all have signs saying "no bathing" or something else to that effect.

use your head... stay alert and always keep an eye on your positioning. if you can't do all of these things you shouldn't really be out there.
sorry if that comes across as a bit cut and dry but people underestimating the sea is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.

if you need a device like that you shouldnt be out there. i know the unexpected can occur but i can't think of any situation where it would be necessary.

[drowningbitbybit]

I think all surfers should carry flare guns.

Would come in handy when the goatboaters come into the line up too...

[garbarrage]

^^^ never thought of that... bloody good idea. might just use it! keep an eye on the front pages!!!

[parrysurf]

^^^


Now I can get rid of the ship to shore radio on my stick.

[billie_morini]

Maybe if somebody really thought they'd need a device for summoning aid they'd carry a tiny handy (cell phone) in a water tight pouch

[Milo]

As Garbarrge said, If in doubt don`t go out. I do surf alone and use this a lot in the winter.
Guys and Girls when you are at a spot with other surfers keep an eye on each other even if you don`t know each other.
And remember Lifeguards are our friends obey them and help them buy watching each others backs. Safe surfing dudes.
Lifeguards will react to you waving or by holding your hand up as you do at school.

[parrysurf]

Maybe if somebody really thought they'd need a device for summoning aid they'd carry a tiny handy (cell phone) in a water tight pouch

http://estore.vzwshop.com/gzone/
I got mine....but I leave it in the car.

[garbarrage]

Maybe if somebody really thought they'd need a device for summoning aid they'd carry a tiny handy (cell phone) in a water tight pouch

this was in another thread.... mobile phones in the line up. workaholics will find any excuse....lol

[rorymcl]

Cheers folks for the input. This is exactly what I needed - some feedback from real practitioners. All the input is appreciated and will assist in maybe taking the prototype in a different direction.

[Phily]

"use your head... stay alert and always keep an eye on your positioning. if you can't do all of these things you shouldn't really be out there.
sorry if that comes across as a bit cut and dry but people underestimating the sea is a bit of a pet peeve of mine."


Me and my friend learned that the hard way. We where new to surfing and where not really paying attention. We where talking for about, maybe 10 or 15 minutes and when I turned around we'd drifted what seemed like miles from the shore. We wernt that used to paddling so we got pretty tired pretty quick and had to signal the life guards.Pretty emabarising. Now I have a lot more respect for the sea. But on a positive note I got to ride in a speedboat which was new

By the way Im new so, hey