Deploying a SMB...

[Polomelo]

Hello,

I may have a pretty dumb question coming but I really can't sort it out. I've watched some videos of people deploying SMBs with a spool. Most of the time, a double bolt snap is eventually put back on the spool, with the line passing through it. What is the point of doing this? I mean, you'll have to remove it if you want to wind the line back on the spool, and it does not seem to secure anything.

Thank you,
Paul

 

[guruboy]

It keeps the spool from unraveling if you drop it.

 

[Polomelo]

It does make sense, thank you

 

[RainPilot]

It also acts as a useful winding handle with finger spools.

 

[tbone1004]

it also prevents the line from getting ratnested if it goes slack for whatever reason. that's particularly annoying.

If you don't clip it to the line, but it's on the side of the spool, it can still unspool freely from the opposite side. That's not good if you're using it to "hang" from for deco stops.

@RainPilot I think they were talking about hooking the line into the bolt snap when you clip it back onto the spool side. Can't wind that way, though they do make convenient winding handles, especially with gloves on

 

[RainPilot]

Ok gotcha.

Oh and I know everyone knows this but just in case....

DONT under any circumstances use the clip to attach the deployed SMB to your rig. A passing boat can really ruin your ascent rate plans...

 

[Polomelo]

I can't ask my current instructor about this because he just throws a lead with 20 feet of line on it, no spool. What I am supposed to say? 'Oh I saw that on the internet some time ago, and it felt good, so I said to myself: why not?'. I'm gonna look like a jerk.

Did you choose your instructor or did your instructor choose you?

 

[dberry]

You mean your instructor shoots the SMB with just a line and nothing attached to the bitter end?

 

[Polomelo]

Not nothing, usually a half pound of lead. That's pretty standard in France. As of now (30 dives), I've only seen one diver with a spool.

 

[dberry]

They wrap the line around the lead before deploying the SMB? I guess that's practical, as long as you never need to deploy the SMB from any deeper than a safety stop.