Hey Bob,

> Why aren't the life-jackets (on a SCUBA liveaboard) the SECONDARY (or
> backups) in an emergency situation when we have ready-made BCDs (with
> all its emergency sausages, whistles, AND other emergency equipments
> already attached), even without a filled TANK -- which obviously
> can serve as well (or better) than the life jackets, or WITH easily
> retrievable life jackets (IF PLACED on the DIVE DECK to grab).

The only thing that remotely comes to mind is that I do not believe
most BCDs are "type accepted" as PFDs.  I'm sure others will
correct me if I'm wrong on this an/or provide additional information.

> AND, IF time permits, I would rather have a filled tank AND fins ready
> (for obvious reasons) with my BCD as emergency equipment, with or without
> a life jacket.

Gotta agree!

> It's a LONG QUESTION (to make the point), but the only REASON I was
> given during the drill for retrieving the life jacket INSTEAD (and
> without consideration for the DIVE equipment) was the ORANGE COLOR which
> makes it easy to identify in water.

> True about the ORANGE COLOR.  But ... we had the orange sausages and
> the rest ...

I agree with you.  And, give the fact that you can get a Halcyon
Backplate
that comes with an entire day glow orange LIFE RAFT stuffed inside it
is an even better reason to go for your BCD!

> I can't help but think, in a Monday Night quarterback fashion, that
> HAD the passengers had their BCDs on, WITH life jackets, waiting in
> the DINING area (right next to the dive deck) or the DIVE DECK area
> (favorite place for those who "feed fish" on rough crossings), in
> a situation that had all the signs of a POSSIBLE REAL EMERGENCY,
> there would perhaps be many more survivors than the actual case --
> where presumably most were trapped in their cabins without being
> able to get "out" to the open sea in time.

I guess it all depends.  What is the cause of death for those who
didn't survive?  I imagine that being tossed about in a cabin like a
rag doll could have caused a few broken necks.  Perhaps some people were
simply knocked unconscious??? Also, other injuries (e.g. broken legs or
arms) that normally wouldn't have been life threatening caused them
to not be able to get out of their cabins, down the halls and to
safety while submerged.

> One of the things I value the most in the Rescue Course was the idea
> to ANTICIPATE all POSSIBLE/probable scenarios and HOW one may react.
>
> In the light of this liveaboard disaster/tragedy, I believe in future
> liveaboards, there'll probably be more serious and realistic BRIEFINGS
> as well as EMERGENCY DRILLS by the captain/crew, as well as personalized
> ANTICIPATED MENTAL DRILLS by each diver, as to "what if ...".
>
> What are YOUR thoughts as to how the CREW might get the passengers MORE
> ready ... and how you may better prepare YOURSELF ... (even as Monday
> Night Quarterbacks) ... on the night right before the boat was actually
> struck -- to have possibly averted the disaster of the magnitude that
> actually happened?

You know, we actually might have a good used for the vaunted SD here,
seeing as how it was designed to assist downed helicopter pilots get
out from a sinking bird, providing a minute or two might be just the
ticket to get you out safe from a capsized ship.

Might want to sleep with your mask too!

Carl