DSMB and spool - where to keep and how not to loose

[R.Chisholm]

I dive a DIR or Hoagarthian BP/Wing single tank configuration with the standard 5 D rings i.e. two on the chest, one on the left hip a butt D ring and D ring at the end of the crotch strap.

My thick wetsuit has no pockets and I need to put the DSMB and spool somewhere.

It has been suggested that a good possibility here is the butt D ring located close to the base of the back plate.

Having tried this I have now managed to loose 3 separate DSMB and spool combinations – typically on reverse entry from a RIB.

This has even happened when pre-tying the end of the line to the DSMB and equipping both the spool and the DSMB with a separate double ender and clipping both of them to the butt D ring.

I have also tried using both a flexible butt D ring on the crotch strap as well as a fixed D ring bolted to the BP – it seems to make no difference.

I have since moved the DSMB and spool to the hip D ring where I don’t seem to loose it although it is in the way of the gauge and would be especially troublesome if I ever carried a stage.

So my question to the round is this – has anyone had similar experience and is there something obvious I am doing wrong that will allow me to keep the DSMB and spool in this location?

Do people simply move it on to the but D ring having entered the water?

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Charles2]

Do people simply move it on to the but D ring having entered the water?

I do

 

[eelnoraa]

how about a short with pocket over the wetsuit. Keeping spool on external d-ring will come loose one of these dives, loose cave line can be very messy and potentially dangerous. Your DIR instructor will probably not let you do it in the course

 

[DanielRJones]

I have a d-ring on the left side. It is mostly used to keep my canister light the other side but it can be used to clip off and then transfer to butt d ring.
Personally i keep in my drysuit pockets and have a pair of apeks tek shorts if i am diving a wetsuit

 

[Bierstadt]

I have had good luck clipping mine on one of the lower side holes on the right side of my backplate. However, if you want to be certain not to lose it I imagine you would have to either add a dsmb butt pocket to your backplate or add a pocket elsewhere (shorts, glue-on neoprene, or belt pockets).

 

[PfcAJ]

Put pockets on your suit.

 

[2airishuman]

I have one of these attached to the bottom of my backplate for the dsmb. I clip the reel to a chest d-ring.

Highland by XS Scuba Mesh Carry Pouch

The velcro closure is difficult to open with gloves on, so, not a perfect arrangement, but it's there for every dive and if I really need it I can get it out.

 

[divad]

Put pockets on your suit.

Yes. It's easier and cheaper than all the jive-ass schemes, plus.... it won't turn on you and **** you in the ass.

 

[Bowers]

as mentioned, dive shorts with pockets...

 

[rmssetc]

I dive a DIR or Hoagarthian BP/Wing single tank configuration with the standard 5 D rings i.e. two on the chest, one on the left hip a butt D ring and D ring at the end of the crotch strap.

My thick wetsuit has no pockets and I need to put the DSMB and spool somewhere.

It has been suggested that a good possibility here is the butt D ring located close to the base of the back plate.

Having tried this I have now managed to loose 3 separate DSMB and spool combinations – typically on reverse entry from a RIB.

This has even happened when pre-tying the end of the line to the DSMB and equipping both the spool and the DSMB with a separate double ender and clipping both of them to the butt D ring.

I have also tried using both a flexible butt D ring on the crotch strap as well as a fixed D ring bolted to the BP – it seems to make no difference.

Any suggestions welcome.

Lost 3 DSMB and spools? Where should I be looking on my next dive?

I don't use a BP/wing, but in my experience (rock climbing, rigging, diving) items almost never unclip themselves unless there's a semi-rigid connection (for example, a bolt-snap attached to a metal D-ring) and something to provide leverage, such as the gunnel of a boat or a tank.

I'd suggest using a small loop of thin nylon line (3 or 4mm accessory cord, tied into a 7.5cm diameter loop) and choke-hitching that to a D-ring, then clipping the DSMB to the line, not directly to the metal ring. This will probably allow enough flexibility for the clip to slide and turn on the line, without providing enough resistance to open the gate on the clip, preventing you from adding to the underwater DSMB pyramid. [Insert warnings about entanglement hazard, non-standard equipment configuration, etc, etc]