JamesBon92007
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you have thousands of dives and you've never used a SMB????? (I'm not trying to mock or anything, I'm just trying to figure it out how it could be possible)
Well, I guess for the same reasons that I dove 2-3 times a week for many years without a depth gauge, SPG, BC, Octopus, or even a J-valve. I never even saw a SMB until I got to the Caribbean about 3-4 years ago. In some situations I find that some gear is essential and in others it's optional. In my case some of the gear simply wasn't available yet. I never used a BC until a few years ago when I was in Hawai'i and it was required. I've been on one boat that required on octopus. I've never used a dive computer but someone gave me one so I'll take it with me next time. Personally I think a SMB would be a very good idea to bring along in such places as Cozumel and Isla Mujeres for the reasons I mentioned. I can't see any reason to take one beach diving is Southern California. When I had my boat I had a diver's flag flying while in the water and surfaced near the boat. I guess you could call me a minimalist diver--I can't see any point in bringing along a bunch of stuff I don't need. The SMB that I have was a recent gift and I've not taken it on a trip yet. I've gone over it many times in my mind and all I can say is that I hope I don't find myself on the surface and missing my safety stop when I inflate it.