"Peter" wrote in message
news:k_e3c.216983$jk2.754618@attbi_s53...
suds wrote:

Here in
Hawai'i, it is very easy to be swept out into the open ocean. We carry
a
gps, cell phones, and a vhf, along with extra water but obviously need
more.
What is the group's opinion on various singling devices such as mirrors,
dyes, flares, strobes...?

If being swept out to sea is a possibility then one of the new Personal
Locator Beacons (PLBs) might be the thing to have despite the cost. They
work like EPIRBs but with shorter battery life and lower cost.

A friend of mine was looking into an EPIRB. I'm not as serious as him so I
don't feel the immediate need for such a cash outlay. Still, I do want to
have some basic protection. I was just wondering what peoples opinions on
the various options were.


Are you able to anchor your kayak so it can't get blown away while you're
diving?


We tow the kayaks behind us as you would a dive flag.

Actually, since I'm off the water for a couple of weeks due to back surgery,
I was working on creating a harness that would hold both boats side by side
while we dive. I see several advantages: one, only one anchor line. This
means the divers can stay closer on the bottom in low visibility conditions
without fear of the kayaks becoming entangled. Two, more stability on the
surface while exiting and entering the kayaks. The downside (and it's big)
if you loose the line, you loose both kayaks.


suds