Take a line cutting device if you take a line

[SelfDiver]

They weren't when I started diving, but it seems like a lot of people now think deployment of a DSMB is a basic skill.

Anyway, I thought we were talking about bringing a cutting tool? That's definitely basic scuba.

OK. I stand corrected.
(I guess we can open a whole other tangent on what belongs in "Basic" and "Advanced" but let's not.)
MODS can decide.

 

[scubadada]

Cutting devices, DSMBs, and spools are a basic scuba topic. With most/all operators in Palm Beach, Florida,, you cannot dive without a SMB.

 

[tbone1004]

lemme fix that for you,
Take a line cutting device

No need to put the clarifier. Don't dive without one, it's rarely your own line that is the problem, especially in open water

 

[Sascha314]

Or just blow it up manually. Do it with one exhale and it's neutral since all the gas in the bag came out of your lungs. Hold onto it, take a few seconds to get your reg back in your mouth, make sure the spool and DSMB are free, and then let it rip.

I'll going to ask the mods if this thread should be moved to the Basic forum.

Just to be precise: your are not neutral but get a bit positive with this method. Reason: you are neutral on a regular breath pattern. Now you are exhaling into the dsmb, so your average "effective lung volume" increases. Its even worse, because the dsmb is higher than your lungs, so a little more volume due to reduces pressure.
So be a little negative at start, compensate by holding your breath longer (because you need to take the reg out). Then exhale about 2/3 to the dsmb, rest to the water. Establish proper buyoncy again and repeat (depends on size and depth if you need to repeat).

The method with the exhale bubbles work as well, but there is also risk of entanglement with regulator, mask and head. The line cutter should be ready by the watching buddy...

 

[johndiver999]

lemme fix that for you,
Take a line cutting device

No need to put the clarifier. Don't dive without one, it's rarely your own line that is the problem, especially in open water

LOL. not for me. I tow a float and get tangled in the float line, so many times. I have pretty much stopped being embarrassed about it and just conceded that I am clumsy. I generally carry two knives, although the back up knife is a going to be a little slow to deploy.

 

[oldschool45]

LOL. not for me. I tow a float and get tangled in the float line, so many times. I have pretty much stopped being embarrassed about it and just conceded that I am clumsy. I generally carry two knives, although the back up knife is a going to be a little slow to deploy.

^ I'm a card carrying knife knut., but never carried one diving. I was playing peek-a-boo with a bug off Hollywood Beach one day and realized I had my dive flag wrapped around me several times (looked like a retarded kitten playing with a ball of yarn) and tank pressure was around 500psi. Headed straight to a dive shop from the beach to buy a dive knife and have never been without one (or more) since.