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from Wichita, KS on 7/27/2009
Comments about Aqualung Aqualung "SOS" Surface Observation Signal:
This item makes for a great way to become visible quickly while keeping your hands free. There is even an eyelet at the top for a light in a night environment.
There is a design flaw that is easy to overcome. The problem is that the S.O.S. release strap hangs right by the dump valve cord and they can become entangled. When the dump is then pulled the S.O.S. will deploy (but not inflate) which causes an inconvenience underwater. Attach a carabiner to the ring and secure the strap to a D-ring to keep it out of the way.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from New Jersey on 10/12/2007
Comments about Aqualung Aqualung "SOS" Surface Observation Signal:
Nice to have a signal tube that's easy to deploy and that you can use hands-free.
The black conduit on the first one I had ruptured on 1st use, but that was an older model that must have been sitting around a warehouse for a while; the one I have now works fine. Initial installation can be tricky; it seems to work better to screw the BCD (mine is a Seaquest Spectrum 4 ADV) onto the SOS rather than the SOS onto the BCD. There's a simple technique you need to use when deploying the SOS: fully inflate BCD, deploy SOS, top off BCD (if needed), hook SOS hook line to BCD (to help keep SOS upright and so it won't flop around when getting out of the water). Once that's done: hands free tube signalling! When I use a pony bottle, I attach it to my main tank on the same side as the SOS, which interferes with deployment. I therefore use the SOS only when I don't have a pony. Other divers might mount the pony to the other side, sling it like a stage bottle, or clip it to the front of their BCDs; these mounting locations would allow use of the SOS. I would have given this product a higher rating if the first one hadn't ruptured, were a little easier to install, and could be used on the other side of the BCD.