Deploying your own SMB?

[DeltaWardog]

I like to pick a new skill to learn on each dive trip. On my upcoming trip (leaving Thursday, w00t!) I'm thinking proper deployment of an SMB is a good one to practice, as I have only done it once before and not from any depth.

So, re: deploying your own SMB - is this allowed? Or do the ops prefer you leave that to their DM? I will definitely discuss it with my op when we arrive but just curious what others' experience with this is.

I really want to get some practice in on this as I'm planning a liveaboard trip after this trip and that skill could be a lot more useful in the open ocean than it may be in Cozumel!

 

[Wookie]

I did my trimix checkout dives in Cozumel many moons ago. Part of the dive was to deploy your SMB properly. We had 6 SMB's as well as the DM's "official" SMB. The boat was able to find us anyway. Let your DM know that you will be shooting a bag, and maybe he'll even give you some pointers. After all, he does it every dive.

Be safe and have fun.

 

[Zman96]

Just communicate with them that you want to do it, I have done it a number of times just for practice for an occasion I may actually need it. Pedro my DM gave me a few hints on successful deployment too.

 

[Texas Torpedo]

Like Frank said, let them know that you want to practice this and I doubt most will have a problem with it. They may actually appreciate it if you are using an operation that doesn't require all the divers to surface together..

 

[diver 85]

Several years ago on a trip to CZM right after I had just gotten my 1st SMB, I asked the DM if I could do the SMB for the dive & he said 'go right ahead'(saved him some work & gave me a little experience)....I 'did it' on a couple of the dives if I remember correctly...I'd definitely ask ahead of time & go for it..

 

[Texas Torpedo]

Just communicate with them that you want to do it, I have done it a number of times just for practice for an occasion I may actually need it. Pedro my DM gave me a few hints on successful deployment too.

Like what? Not to inflate the bag with the spool still clipped to you? :mooner:

 

[MMM]

It's a great skill to have. As others have said, just let DM know, and ask for tips in advance. Doing it in current is somewhat from doing in the pool.

 

[Angel_diver_biker]

YouTube - SMB Deployment

Watch this and you will know everything about SMB deployement

 

[Texas Torpedo]

SMB deployment skills are over-rated..
All you really need is some bag bling..

 

[Tunaman68]

It's a good skill to acquire, and not as easy as some would make it out to be -

fingers too far in the spool hole = ouch

reg out of mouth to inflate SMB then not purged = choke

bag shooting without spool unrolling or entangling arms or dangling console = SMB turns into lift bag lifting diver

not clipping off double ender properly before during or after deployment = bye bye double ender

dropping spool as SMB goes away = diver chasing spool toward the depths.

It takes a bit of practice to pull it off while maintaining your depth, safety and poise!

All this from personal experience BTW~

Have fun!