Why not attach spool to DSMB before the dive?

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Brilig

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I am dry land practicing with my new finger spool and DSMB while wearing my dry gloves. I have watched multiple videos demonstrating how to do it and in all the videos the first task is to attach the line from the finger spool to the DSMB.
Is there a reason why I can't attach the line before the dive and carry it that way? Just seams like it would be easier.
 
I am dry land practicing with my new finger spool and DSMB while wearing my dry gloves. I have watched multiple videos demonstrating how to do it and in all the videos the first task is to attach the line from the finger spool to the DSMB.
Is there a reason why I can't attach the line before the dive and carry it that way? Just seams like it would be easier.

I always did it that way. I dive the Great Lakes. Shooting a SMB isn’t something usually done in my diving. If you need to shoot a SMB, it’s an emergency, and you need to do it right effing now! Trying to rig it together in an emergency? Screw that. Dive with them already connected.
 
Yep, keeping the sausage tied on makes deploying under stress that much easier. I keep my spool and SMB attached. In the rare occasion I want to use the spool on its own to run a line, or the SMB on its own as a lift bag, I just unloop the loop. (But normally I would bring a dedicated reel or bag if I knew it might be needed on a dive.)

Keeping them separate and attaching every time is good training though since it adds one more task.
 
Why not? I always have the DSMB attached to the line & spool and put them with my flashlight in my BCD right pocket, the rest of signaling devices on my left pocket, as shown below.

33AB78FF-DB69-4F9E-8178-1D16685412E8.jpeg
 
The next step is practice it during checkout dive. One thing that I see often on newbies is they over inflate the DSMB, too slow to release the DSMB and ending up ascending with the DSMB. So, be sure to release some air out of your BCD before you inhale deeply to maintain neutral buoyancy while inflating the DSMB.
 
@Brilig :

You probably saw some of the DSMB deployment videos from GUE Fundamentals in-water demonstrations. This is strictly done in class. I suspect this is done to develop some mid-water command while working on a specific task. Outside of Fundamentals, I have never seen anyone carry an unattached DSMB.

I would not recommend carrying an unattached DSMB. You really don't want to mess with that at the end of the dive, when you might be tired or cold with reduced dexterity in your extremities.
 
I was going to say the same thing as above: you're probably watching GUE/DIR videos.

The reason that the spool and SMB are separate is so that if you ever come across it detached, you can put it together proficiently u/w without having other issues like loss of buoyancy control, tangling, loss of navigation, situational awareness, etc.

I'm sure it's also a good indicator of being able to hold position while task loaded, since DSMB assembly and deployment is combined with sharing air and a graduated ascent.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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