Are DSMB's required by law? (Florida or elsewhere?)

[Lostdiver71]

All my experience was before DSMB's were a thing...at least in the mainstream recreational world. Safety Suasage SURFACE markers were becoming popular and of course seemed like a great idea


Do you find that they require a deployable marker or is a surface marker sufficient? (especially if someone in each buddy group had a DSMB and a spool)

They only usually require an SMB but most prefer if you have a DSMB and know how to deploy it properly.

 

[Lostdiver71]

ok, with the contect of that location we're talking drift diving.
Way back in the day the boats would typically put a DM in the water with a float/flag
Sometimes the bigger boats would give additional floats to one of the more experienced divers in each "drift group", which would be multiple divers in each group, not just two.

Not that I ever remember this being a thing, but if someone in the drift group wanted to come up early they would just ascent on their group leader's float line.

Thinking forward I suppose there was no good solution for someone wanting to split off from a group and remain on the dive. I just think that wasn't a thing back then!

But yes, that's a great point..... if a diver got distracted and lost site of the group, then they would have to free ascend. Shallow dive they could just deploy a surface marker after surfacing.... but on something deeper then a deployable bouy makes great sense!

So that makes me think that the best answer is go ahead and invest in deployable bouys for everyone but everyone just may not need a spool until the dive requires it.... (deep, drift, current, and or rough seas)
does that seem reasonable?

In the early to mid 90’s, before DSMB’s were commonly used, I remember divers using lift bags to mark their locations when they were ascending away from the group. This was mostly spear fishermen who would go their own path as soon as they hit the water.

 

[Johnoly]

... divers using lift bags to mark their locations .... This was mostly spear fishermen ...

Little known fun-fact>>>>

If a spearfisherman sends up an untied, smb-float only,,,,with NOTHING on it >>>
That's a universal message amongst us captains/spearos to " MARK THIS SPOT IMMEDIATELY "

Could be the diver dropped a piece of equipment OR it's a Great hunting spot. So if you ever see an empty non-tethered smb....Mark that spot immediately on your GPS !!!.

 

[Nemrod]

There is no law in Florida requiring the carry of a SMB or a DSMB.

Many operators require one, some strongly suggest one. In any place where you could become separated from your buddies or the DM or there is no DM and the dive is either on drift or anchored (as on a wreck) where current can exists (ex. Spiegel Grove, Duane, Vandie) you need to carry a DSMB. And with enough line to shoot it from your expected depth. Usually a five or six feet DSMB or a 4 feet DSMB and a 6 feet SMB. I would send it up as soon as I realize I am lost from the DM or blown off the wreck or reef. Or we had agreed I was doing my own dive.

In Cozumel, despite current, or other areas where the shore is nearby and little current (Bonaire for example), I just carry a 4 feet DSM with a mini spool with 30 or so feet of line. I just shoot it up at 30 feet on my way to safety stop. And this only if I get away from the group. Just no need to send it up and drag it about for an entire dive.

 

[Allen-1]

ok, with the contect of that location we're talking drift diving.
Way back in the day the boats would typically put a DM in the water with a float/flag
Sometimes the bigger boats would give additional floats to one of the more experienced divers in each "drift group", which would be multiple divers in each group, not just two.

Not that I ever remember this being a thing, but if someone in the drift group wanted to come up early they would just ascent on their group leader's float line.

Thinking forward I suppose there was no good solution for someone wanting to split off from a group and remain on the dive. I just think that wasn't a thing back then!

But yes, that's a great point..... if a diver got distracted and lost site of the group, then they would have to free ascend. Shallow dive they could just deploy a surface marker after surfacing.... but on something deeper then a deployable bouy makes great sense!

So that makes me think that the best answer is go ahead and invest in deployable bouys for everyone but everyone just may not need a spool until the dive requires it.... (deep, drift, current, and or rough seas)
does that seem reasonable?

No. If you have a DSMB, you're going to want a spool for it. Otherwise you're limited to using it at the surface. If you deploy it before surfacing, it gives more time for your dive boat to find you, and it also (maybe) keeps other boats from running over you as you surface.

Typical practice while drift diving in Florida is to send it up somewhere between 30' and your safety stop, depending upon what you feel like doing. Me, personally, I'd rather send it up earlier, so that I'm not risking screwing up and getting yanked up or drifting up while deploying at my safety stop. Personal choice.

There are many models available, I like this one:

https://www.scuba.com/p-xssqlbmor/xs-scuba-quick-launch-buoy-marker-orange

 

[Divin'Papaw]

No. If you have a DSMB, you're going to want a spool for it. Otherwise you're limited to using it at the surface. If you deploy it before surfacing, it gives more time for your dive boat to find you, and it also (maybe) keeps other boats from running over you as you surface.

Typical practice while drift diving in Florida is to send it up somewhere between 30' and your safety stop, depending upon what you feel like doing. Me, personally, I'd rather send it up earlier, so that I'm not risking screwing up and getting yanked up or drifting up while deploying at my safety stop. Personal choice.

There are many models available, I like this one:

https://www.scuba.com/p-xssqlbmor/xs-scuba-quick-launch-buoy-marker-orange

I send mine up when I'm leaving the bottom. One, I want the Capt to know where I am and that I am on my way up. Two, easier to get it full at the surface the deeper you shoot it.

But I agree with everyone above. If you are EVER going to be diving anywhere offshore from a boat, get and learn how to use a good DSMB and a spool. End of store. While you may be allowed to use an SMB and just inflate it on the surface, you really don't want to be doing that. I know I don't!

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Allen-1

I have an XS Scuba Quick Launch Marker also and like it very much. One drawback is that it is difficult to use the spool for another purpose as it is connected internally to the SMB. For that reason, I carry an extra spool, stowed away

On my last dive in Boynton Beach, I fouled my Manta reel attached to my flag. This was not the 1st time I have done this. I could not get enough depth on the fouled reel to do the dive. A very easy way to deal with this is to attach the reel to a spool and let out enough line to do the dive. There are other reasons one might like to have a free spool.

 

[tursiops]

In Cozumel, despite current, or other areas where the shore is nearby and little current (Bonaire for example), I just carry a 4 feet DSM with a mini spool with 30 or so feet of line. I just shoot it up at 30 feet on my way to safety stop. And this only if I get away from the group. Just no need to send it up and drag it about for an entire dive.

Bonaire rules actually request a SMB, but it is not enforced.

• Surface Marker Buoy: We recommend you to use a Surface Marker Buoy, especially in shallow waters, as it serves as a visual indicator of your presence.