DSMB size - is 6’ overkill ?

[RyanT]

@Dogbowl, I don't know if you're diving a BP/Wing or a BC with a crotch strap. If so, I personally find it really simple to just stick the hose with its blow gun in my crotch strap D-ring. It stays in place nicely without any additional clipping necessary. When I need it, I just reach down, pull the hose out and I'm ready to go. I like this set up because it keeps my left shoulder D-ring (where I clip my spg) clutter free. However, there is no reason why you couldn't add a little bolt snap to the hose and then clip it off wherever works for you.

 

[Dan]

@RyanT , am I correct to assume that on a single tank setup, the extra hose could be attached to the right waist d-ring? Or left? I suppose it depends where my gauge is attached. I like it up on my left chest d-ring. Much easier to see there.

Here’s my single-tank setup.
The extra hose for air-filling DSMB (in red color) is attached to my left waist D-ring.

Colored low-pressure hoses & smaller diameter high-pressure hoses make the hoses easier to sort out & to identify.

The chess D-rings are used for my SPG & backup dive computer console (SUUNTO Cobra2)

 

[RyanT]

@Dan_T, I like the red to indicate an additional inflator hose. At deeper depths it's harder to see, but I'm guessing it would still stand out as a more gray color than the other hoses. At shallower depths I'm sure it's even that much easier to distinguish.

 

[Dogbowl]

@RyanT and @Dan_T , thanks very much for the info and pics!

So I’m not the only one that likes my SPG on a shoulder d-ring!

@Dan_T , that’s the first time I saw someone run the spg hose over the shoulder! Very innovative!

I have a crotch strap on my Transpac and will clip the air nozzle there I think.

 

[hroark2112]

I almost always deploy as deep as possible. I use an open bottom 6' OMS, it has magnets in the bottom to keep the bottom closed on the surface.

As far as inflating, I dump my wing into the DSMB. Zero buoyancy change and it's almost always enough to inflate it sufficiently.

 

[Dan]

@RyanT and @Dan_T , thanks very much for the info and pics!

So I’m not the only one that likes my SPG on a shoulder d-ring!

@Dan_T , that’s the first time I saw someone run the spg hose over the shoulder! Very innovative!

I have a crotch strap on my Transpac and will clip the air nozzle there I think.

Thanks for the compliment

That SPG, being run over the shoulder, is very easy to find. It has magnetic snap-on button (red / black button right above the gauge. To read the tank pressure, I just grab the SPG with my right hand, pull it to where I can read the pressure. When I’m done reading the pressure, I just let it go. The gravity would drop the SPG back down & snap back on the button attached on my belly D-ring. Therefore, no dangling SPG.

 

[Dan]

@Dan_T, I like the red to indicate an additional inflator hose. At deeper depths it's harder to see, but I'm guessing it would still stand out as a more gray color than the other hoses. At shallower depths I'm sure it's even that much easier to distinguish.

Right

My dive buddy can spot me easier too. Who else has red hose?

 

[Centrals]

Size does matter if you want to be seen!
Canadian diver and buddy rescued near Apo Island, Philippines
And even with one. But the report doesn't say the kind of smb used.

 

[Marie13]

So I’m not the only one that likes my SPG on a shoulder d-ring!

Nope! I've always had my SPG on my left shoulder D ring. Seemed much simpler than having to unclip SPG every time I wanted to check. I like that's pretty much right in my face.

 

[Dan]

Nope! I've always had my SPG on my left shoulder D ring. Seemed much simpler than having to unclip SPG every time I wanted to check. I like that's pretty much right in my face.

I have on both shoulders D-rings. On the left is for my AI dive computer. On the right is for the SPG as a backup in case my dive computer quit reading. As far as dive computer itself, I have a backup dive computer (SUUNTO D4) on my left wrist.

Every so often I compare the digital pressure readout from the dive computer with the analog one from the SPG to make sure both are still reading correctly.