Which Halcyon SMB for GUE Fundamentals?

[Skulmoski]

Hi

I am looking to retire my SMB with one that would be appropriate for GUE Fundamentals. I am interested in one of the Halcyon 3' SMBs if that makes sense.

Below are the related skills, standards and course specific equipment related to SMBs.

Required Skill:
Demonstrate proficiency in lift bag/surface marker buoy deployment while using a spool.

Standards - Appendix A
The GUE base equipment configuration is comprised of:
- At least one surface marker buoy (SMB) with spool per diver.

Additional Course Specific Equipment
- Surface marker buoy: where required, the SMB should be appropriate for environmental conditions and deployed using a spool with at least 100 feet/30 meters of line.

Many thanks in advance.

GJS

 

[AJ]

Any SMB will do if you can orally inflate it by a tube. Don't buy a very large SMB. A normal sized one is good enough.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Use what you will actually dive with, not what's easiest to pass with - that defeats the point of that part of the class. I carry and used the 6' smb by halcyon during tec. It's large enough to be seen on the surface and easy to fill and deploy at depth. I stopped using the 1m smb after a charter boat dive where we had to search for missing divers in the ocean. We couldn't see them a 100 yards from the boat.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Ps: any well made brand works.

 

[gchilcott]

My GUE-F instructor was agnostic on equipment brands generally, but he did think the Halcyon SMB was the best. You need to be able to inflate it orally, though I think the version with the LP quick-connect fitting can also be inflated orally. The SMB should have an overpressure valve. Another tip is to get a delrin spool, or at least one that is roughly neutrally buoyant; a metal spool sinks quickly if you drop it. Make sure your double bolt snap will pass through the metal ring.

 

[decompression]

My recommendations for essentials/fundies classes are either the halcyon or HOG, unless there is a significant environmental reason not too, the 3-5 foot smb's work for a very wide varietyt of deployments.

You can't beat this price....Hot Special 45" Inch Tall Hog Rocket RED SMB .."Closed bottom Smb"

 

[Lorenzoid]

Use what you will actually dive with, not what's easiest to pass with - that defeats the point of that part of the class. I carry and used the 6' smb by halcyon during tec. It's large enough to be seen on the surface and easy to fill and deploy at depth. I stopped using the 1m smb after a charter boat dive where we had to search for missing divers in the ocean. We couldn't see them a 100 yards from the boat.

This is/was my thinking. I used the 6' DAN SMB for Fundies, because that's the SMB I use in my regular diving.

I'm sure an SMB with a blue H on it is wonderful, but there are many fine SMBs out there.

 

[rivers]

I used my 4.5ft halcyon. and inflated it with my drysuit hose. from 5-6m, it's not going to be full, but the instructors are aware of that.

 

[C Dub]

Highly recommend the Halcyon 3' closed circuit SMB. has served me well from fundies rec pass through Tec1.

Can be both orally and LP hose inflated. 1/2 a breath is just right, no need to use hose.

Diver's Alert Marker, 3.3' (1 m) long, closed circuit 14.030.006 *Buy Halcyon at DIVESEEKERS.com 888-SCUBA-47

Oh and any brand is fine, but stick with something around 3 feet. The bigger ones are harder to handle, and require more air to inflate, making it harder to maintain buoyancy .

 

[Oldbear]

GJS,

When I took the Fundies course I bought the Halcyon 3.3' Closed Circuit SMB because that what was recommended by my instructor. For me that recommendation has been so valuable. In the last two years I have carried it on about 600 dives and deployed it on about 200 of those. For type of diving I do in the type of water conditions I dive in it is perfect. I keep it pre-tied to a 150' finger spool where I attach it to my BCD or in a pocket.

While Halcyon might be expensive for my the extra cost is well worth the value and longevity I have received. But like others have said match you equipment to your dive conditions. I really don't need nor want a large smb with me while diving. I use my smb to provide me with an ascent line (with knots on the line every ten feet so I know my depth if I am in a no mask situation). If you dive in rough seas maybe a larger smb is warranted like Jack Hammer suggests.

Good luck with you course and have fun with it.

~Oldbear~