Why use a spool when you can use a reel?

[CuzzA]

Yep, I already ordered it.

 

[The Chairman]

This sausage needs Viagra:

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[KevinNM]

So you guys think I should return the SS spool and replace it with a delrin/plastic?

The spool that matter a whole lot are safety spools for overhead diving, since you are using them in zero vis and if it jammed up you die. Luckily spools don't jam. And plastic spools sink slowly if you fumble them.

If you are not doing stuff where you need a safety spool it really doesn't matter that much.

 

[tbone1004]

The spool that matter a whole lot are safety spools for overhead diving, since you are using them in zero vis and if it jammed up you die. Luckily spools don't jam. And plastic spools sink slowly if you fumble them.

If you are not doing stuff where you need a safety spool it really doesn't matter that much.

why are you reeling back in in 0 viz?

 

[tomfcrist]

why are you reeling back in in 0 viz?

Reels can jam during reeling or running it out. Spools don’t jam ever.

As far as why reel it in in zero vis? Assume you are pulling a jump/satellite line, encounter zero vis in the process and have a boatload of gas...why not reel it in. What if you are searching for a lost line? The fact that there’s zero vis doesn’t negate the need to reliably use a spool or reel.

If it were an emergency egress of a cave, obviously you wouldn’t be pulling line. If it was an expected visibility loss due to a silty restriction etc...I see no reason to not pull your line on the way out.

 

[tbone1004]

Reels can jam during reeling or running it out. Spools don’t jam ever.

As far as why reel it in in zero vis? Assume you are pulling a jump/satellite line, encounter zero vis in the process and have a boatload of gas...why not reel it in. What if you are searching for a lost line? The fact that there’s zero vis doesn’t negate the need to reliably use a spool or reel.

rare you see one foul that bad on the way out since you'd have to stop with slack line and go against it for it to loop over. Not impossible, but highly unlikely. If it's 0 vis, we don't pull jumps in caves. Bad form since you have to break buddy contact and don't know if the buddy is on the other side of the jump. Come back and make a clean up dive later.
If searching for a lost line, I use a spool personally since they can't get fouled where you may have to go back and reel back in if you want the wrong direction.

Being able to pay out line in 0 viz is obviously a safety issue, but I was curious where @KevinNM was leading with the "if you can't use it in 0 viz, you die". I've seen some of the best cave instructors in the world foul up primary reels while they can see. Stuff happens, not always your fault. I have buddies that use a safety reel for lost line potential, but they also keep a spool just in case. If it fouls, tie the spool onto something mostly solid, tie the reel onto it, and keep going.

 

[tomfcrist]

rare you see one foul that bad on the way out since you'd have to stop with slack line and go against it for it to loop over.

I’ve seen it. And by seen it I mean I fumbled my reel setting a placement...caught it, but not before it went bobo.

If it's 0 vis, we don't pull jumps in caves. Bad form since you have to break buddy contact and don't know if the buddy is on the other side of the jump. Come back and make a clean up dive later.

When diving with a buddy I agree. I’m more talking about solo stuff in nomount areas...I know I wrote jumps...but am more referring to nasty restrictions in offshoots with no permenant lines. Think fluffy bunny tunnel with silt on the walls.

 

[BRT]

You know, I wouldn't really care much, but as I'm sure everyone knows DGE will bend over backwards to make customers happy so if there's a significant benefit from one over the other than I'd just assume do it now. I sold off a bunch of dive gear over the winter and so I'm trying to avoid the dive gear collection box that seems to plague divers.

If you only have a collection box you don't have a problem. I have a collection basement.

 

[CuzzA]

If you only have a collection box you don't have a problem. I have a collection basement.

Well, like I said, I had a sale over the winter.

 

[Bierstadt]

I think we spend a lot of time figuring out how to play with our string.

FWIW I consider it to be Delrin>Plastic>Aluminium>Steel unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise. Like "this $150 aluminium spools looks amazing, even if it does sink" or "this $10 plastic spool is $10. I can afford that!"

My spools are plastic...

Oh, and I think this was mentioned but absolutely, positively get your spool ready for action by unspooling it, adding knots every 10 feet, a double knot at 15 or 20 feet (safety stop), and that double spool loop (there are YouTube videos to show you how to do all this) on the end. And trim it so your doublender fits on properly. Transform your spool from a bunch of string into a tool... consisting of a bunch of string.