Jen: $299 and OPs can get a discount....
Captain Lost Our Group
- Thread starter Billiken1
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Jen: $299 and OPs can get a discount....
markmantei
Contributor
I'd agree with Christi that there are some hazards that you need to be aware of when deploying an SMB. That said, it is also not difficult, and a little practice in 15-20ft will go a long way. If you can deploy shallow, it is easier when you are deeper as you need to add less air (just like air in your bc, it will expand as the smb rises). As long as you have reasonable skills, you shouldn't need an instructor, although that wouldn't hurt. Just check youtube and spend some time in a begnine environment to get it figured out, or get a mentor to walk you through it.
It is important when diving in areas with boat traffic to carry and be prepared to deploy a SMB. I have had a boat zip 5 ft over my head when I stupidly did not deploy the SMB I was carrying (not in coz). Learned my lesson and will not surface without at least 1 SMB deployed for the group.
It is important when diving in areas with boat traffic to carry and be prepared to deploy a SMB. I have had a boat zip 5 ft over my head when I stupidly did not deploy the SMB I was carrying (not in coz). Learned my lesson and will not surface without at least 1 SMB deployed for the group.
firstdive2005
Contributor
This is one of the most serious of techniques in diving that can injure a diver easily. PLEASE DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT THIS TECHNIQUE ALONE OR WITHOUT A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED DIVER AND KNOWS HOW TO SHOOT AN SMB PERFECTLY . As stated PREFERABLY an instructor.
I have had several experiences helping divers untangle a deployed smb. They would have been seriously hurt each time.
If deployed shallow, the risk isexponential for harm by an experienced diver that has never shot one. There is so much to learn when shooting an smb in a drift especially. Sorry for the highjack
Very good explanation by Mark!
Mike
Contributor
Just food for thought - if you're going to shoot a SMB for the first time, play it safe, go a little heavy on your weighting and when inflating that SMB, just put a puff in it. Just enough air to get it away from being neutral and being just a little positive. That's a safer way to learn since you can overcome the positiveness of the SMB and just yank it back down to you if you get F'd up in the middle of the deployment process. Keep in mind you won't be doing a perfect deployment, the poor SMB will be on the surface limper than you'd be on your wedding night with Rosie O'Donnel, but you will be safe from being pulled up by it and then you can work on the proper inflation amount after you're comfortable with the entire deployment process. Take it one step at a time, you don't need the SMB deployed on the surface perfectly when you're in the process of learning the deployment process, you just need it positive enough to rise slowly in the water column.
- Messages
- 54,291
- Reaction score
- 8,420
- # of dives
- 500 - 999
I just didn't think it was difficult my first time in a practice pit. Yeah, have a buddy with a knife in case - not one who deploys his too, then gets tangled - but other than that one time, no biggie. Just do it.
Instructor...?
Instructor...?
markmantei
Contributor
I don't want to nitpik here, because I think we pretty much agree. I just think your post goes a little over the top in stating the difficulty, I don't think that is "one of the most serious of techniques ... that can injure a diver easily." There are risks, but no more than any other risk of losing buoyancy control. IMO it is also risky to surface in an area with boat traffic without an SMB. The main thing is to ensure you don't get tangled in the line. There are probably better explanations, but, here is how I deploy...
1. Remove the SMB and clip it to the spool (if it isn't already). Do not clip either the SMB or the spool to any part of your body.
2. Place a small puff of air in the SMB. This will allow you to work with the SMB without it floating all over the place
3. Go ever so slightly negative (basically I want to be neutral with a larger than normal volume of air in my lungs).
4. Remove reg and inflate the SMB. It does not need to be full as the air will expand as the SMB rises, the deeper you are the less air you need to put into the SMB.
5. Release the SMB. In warm water I may put a finger in the finger spool. In cold water with dry gloves I just lightly hold the spool. Some may not even hold the spool as a delrin spool is pretty neutral
6. Replace regulator
7. When SMB reaches the surface, tighten the line. Again, do not at any time clip the SMB or spool to your body. If the line gets tangled, etc, you can always drop the spool.
8. Ascend reeling up the spool as you go. Keep only as much tension on the line as neccessary to keep the SMB upright.
Some will use their octo or bcd inflator to inflate the SMB, it depends on the style of your SMB. I like the oral inflation method, because it is easy to maintain buoyancy. Gas coming out of your lungs goes into the SMB netting out to approx. the same volume until the SMB is deployed.
There are a ton of video's on youtube that will show you the process, but as long as you didn't arrive for your diving on a short bus, any diver with decent buoyancy control should be able to deploy an SMB with a little practice. Should you practice in a pool or other controlled environment, absolutely. Just don't be scared off thinking it is an advanced skill. They should be teaching this in OW.
Firstdive, what did the divers who got tangled do to screw up so badly? Was it this guy
Surface Marker Buoy Instruction - YouTubeNot saying its impossible, but there shouldn't really be a time that there isn't tension on the line, if done properly it shouldn't be hard not to get all tangled up.
Brules
Contributor
I have seen DM's take the time to teach people who want to learn how. Last year one of the divers on a boat asked the DM if he could practice deploying his SMB with his reel. DM was great about talking him through it and then in the water being right there with him to show him how/monitor him. Worked well and diver really appreciated it. Best way to learn is to practice it, just don't whip it out and deploy without talking to your DM 1st lol.......especially since we can't carry knives in the marine park......nothign to cut you free with if you get tangled. Thus why I only carry one for the surface. I have a coiled bungee on mine I can put around my ankle to hold it, lay back and relax and let it hold my feet up for me. 
Similar threads
