SMB that can be inflated at depth and on surface

[hubert]

Hey guys,

For years I have been carrying two SMBs. One which has an open extremity at the bottom and a nylon line hanging from it, which I inflate at depth with my regulator, and send to the surface to carry out a deco or show where I am, and ANOTHER one which is sealed and can be inflated orally - this one in case I get lost at sea. I cannot use the first SMB as a safety signaling device - somehow it works well only when inflated under water. I cannot use the second one at depth, as it is hard to inflate orally underwater, and it has no pressure safety valve anyhow. Talk about gear...

So now I am in the market to streamline this mess. I would like an SMB that can be used either way: inflated easily at depth with my reg, and can also be
inflated and stay so while at the surface. Any suggestions?

Thanks to all

Hubert

 

[TSandM]

Between us, my husband and I have, I think, five different SMBs. All can be inflated at depth and used at the surface.

Of them, I like two: The DSS SMB, which is VERY easy to inflate underwater because of its tapered shape. It also has a big, round oral inflate tube, which is easy to get a seal on with cold lips. It has an overpressure system, so it can be inflated at depth. It's a one meter bag, so it's visible in calm water or mild seas.

The other one I like is my Halcyon bag (as much as it irks me to like anything Halcyon). It's also a one meter bag, can be inflated orally or with an inflator hose. It has an OPV, which can be unscrewed to allow rinsing the inside of the bag, and which is also easy to use to empty the bag for rolling up on the surface. It takes significantly more air to inflate this one as compared with the DSS bag, so you have to practice more to keep buoyancy perfect during the process.

We also have the Zeagle bag, what I believe is a bag made by Trident, and an open bottom bag. For various reasons, I don't like any of them as well as the two I listed.

The latest Scuba Diver magazine has a review of SMBs, where they tested the visibility at various distances. They found that the one meter bags are only visible for about a quarter of a mile, even in fairly calm water. So if you're diving in heavy currents, you might want something longer, anyway. Halcyon does make a 6' bag. I've never used one.

 

[Scared Silly]

Your best bet might be to look at some of the semi closed ones. All of mine are closed and can be orally inflated or require a LP hose. One small one is a simple surface only the other has a OP valve. All of are by Halcyon.

 

[CompuDude]

Your best bet might be to look at some of the semi closed ones. All of mine are closed and can be orally inflated or require a LP hose. One small one is a simple surface only the other has a OP valve. All of are by Halcyon.

I think Carter makes some very well-regarded ones as well.

 

[almitywife]

I recently got this and love it! http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ZeagleDeployMarkerKit

attaches to both my zeagle bc and bpw and it will stay inflated on the surface (i was using it as a baseball bat the other week hitting my buddy over the head with it during the longest surface swim of my life).

easy to open at the bottom, while underwater, to purge air into it, plus you can inflate it orally on the surface and it has a dump valve if over inflates

the fact that it came in a tidy pouch with reel is what sold me on it and last week i had to use it on a dive and it worked great

cheers

 

[Web Monkey]

I think Carter makes some very well-regarded ones as well.

I have two Carters (a yellow and a red/orange).

They both have overpressure valves and 1-way inflation openings in the bottom as well as an oral inflation valve if you want to puff it up at the surface.

The oral inflation valve also perfectly fits the cone on my air-horn (scubalert?) in case you're feeling lazy.

Terry

 

[divingguru]

I would highly recommend using the AP Valves Buddy SMB. I have been using the for 7 years and have only needed to replace one after around 2000 dives. You can get them off ebay or by going directly to apvalves website.

Hope this was useful.

 

[Whale Whisperer]

Check this SMB out: https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/catalog/products/641-1000.html

It's a really neat SMB with all the bells and whistles (literaly) you need. I can be inflated with a second stage via the orifice on the bottom, it's got a LPI attachement for your BC inflator or dry suit inflator hose (Or you can oraly inflate either way), and it's got a Over Pressure Relief valve that can be unscrewed for internal freshwater rinse. It also had attachment points that you can hook your reel up to for deployment at depth. At it's got a cool pocket located at the base of the marker that contains a "Wind Storm" brand whistle, Signal Mirror, and a Chem light stick.

It's Orange, and 72" tall x 7.5" wide with reflective paint strip on one side. This SMB is ideal to streamline, and the price is very reasonable.

 

[BKP]

I second the Carter Personal Float. Very substantial, both types of inflation, multiple lengths and lift capacities. I have this one: http://www.divesports.com/mall/carter_35personalfloat.asp

 

[hubert]

Well that/s most useful - thank you all for the good advice!