Attaching SMB and spool to BP/W??

[BB1]

Hi,

I have a DSS Long Plate BP/W setup with a DSS Taurus 26# wing.

My SMB is an XSScuba 7' x 7" wide one and has a double velcro strap deal that seems to keep it quite securely rolled up.

The spool is a Hollis 45m (150') delrin spool with line removed to leave 30m (100') with a good stailess double ender bolt snap.


What is the best way to set these up and attach them to my backplate?

Currently I have tried attaching the rolled up SMB horizontally to the bottom of the back plate with 2 bungee loops and the spool gets attached to the bum d-ring with the double ender once I'm in the water.

This works kinda ok but the bulk of the rolled SMB can be felt while diving and the spool is not currently attached to the SMB for immediate deployment but would rather have to be attached first - this doesn't seem best practice at all.

Also I currently place the rolled SMB behind the crotch strap but have space in a pouch on right hip.

Should the spool be attached to the SMB at all times? I figured by not attaching it then it was ready to be used for other purposes.....

I am not really keen on using a mesh bag attached to the wing.

I had thought about trying it either bungeed to the left hand side of the plate vertically or just rolled and attached to the left D-ring with the double ender but that doesn't seem a very tidy and streamlined solution.

Is there a better way?? Pics would be great to illustrate your suggestions please.

 

[DevonDiver]

I use the following configuration:

SMB - rolled up and stored at the base of BP/W using two bungee loops.
Reel - Secured to left hip d-ring using the double-ender.

It's very easy to access and very streamlined. No need to keep the reel attached to the SMB. Having them separate enables you to quickly utilise the reel for other tasks (penetration, navigation etc).

 

[Randy43068]

Were I you, I would keep it in a pocket.

A guy I dive with has his lift bag attached to his plate and he's always patching holes in it because it's not protected in a pocket. When I use it, I depend on it so I figure it's worth protecting by keeping it in a pocket. I recommend you do the same.

EDIT:
I carry a HUGE lift bag and it fits my pocket. I promise you, it's bigger than an SMB.

 

[Peter_C]

I agree pockets are the way to go. You can get X-shorts or use a glue on pocket from XS Scuba or something.

 

[J Easy]

I was just contemplating all this the other night as I have the same SMB and a BP/W set up. The SMB in question, for those who aren't familiar with it, is pretty bulky compared to your standard SMB. I tried it out bungied horizontally underneath the plate and it has enough bulk for it to be uncomfortable. I also have an XS Scuba bellows pocket glued on my wetsuit and it would be a tight fit to put that thing in there! I keep my smaller SMB and spool in there anyway. (The large SMB is my OH SH!T SMB) Like BB1, I was thinking of attaching it vertically on one of the sides of the plate and see how that works out. Most of the time when I carry it I just clip it off and yeah it's not very streamlined (at all) and it dangles off your gear but it isn't really noticable in the water. I would rather have it stowed like BB1 was saying though.

 

[BB1]

Thanks Guys,

I could fit it in my dive rite pocket - JUST! but it would leave room for nothing else so thats no good.

Sorry but X-Shorts seem only one step away from singing YMCA in a high pitched voice - not going there at all!!

As J Easy said, it is a little bulky but not to big I think. I'm going to perservere with the horizontal storage at the bottom of the plate method for now although up the the side of the plate behind my left arm is probably worth a look as well. It was noticeable to start with when I had it at the bottom of the plate but not later in the dive as much - though I had almost lost it due to 1 of the bungee loops deciding to untie itself. Corrected that now and will try again, may add a bolt snap back there as well for belt and braces approach - haven't decided yet!

I'm doing a 3 day liveaboard around a small coral atoll/island and we will be doing some drift dives as well - figuring in some ocean swell as well and I want all of that 7" to make sure I'm seen!!

I'll move the spool to the left hip D-ring though as that'll certainly be easier - thanks Andy!