Halcyon Big DAM Q

[watboy]

After much search and reading threads here, I still have a question about the H Big Dam 4.5' SMB. The halcyon website says its both Closed Circuit and Open bottom. The picture shows what looks to be an LP/Oral inflater on it. Does this mean that it can be either orally inflated or filled from reg?

My search for an ideal SMB for my diving continues. I dive tropics, non deco, diving. My concerns are a) launching an SMB from sub 10 meter depths that still rises high enough above the water so I don't get run over by a speed boat (one of the biggest sources of diver fatalities here in Thailand) and b) signalling in case I have drifted far from the boat. I have a surface marker deluxe kit, which is easy to launch from shallow depth and have stick out 2'+. However, its not self sealing and doesn't hold air so can't use as a signal device once on the surface. I then found what looked better as a Saekodive 6', it had oral inflate, OPV and duckbill bottom. However, i found that the duckbill bottom is too restrictive and I can't inflate it from my reg. Oral inflation takes a good 4 breaths to fill it at the surface, so launching it at shallow depths doesn't work so well. Also, its narrow, so when its wet, if i fill it up orally I can't stand it up overhead as the extra weight of the water makes it fold over. It works fine when dry.

My ideal SMB would be one that I can launch and have it decently erect from shallow depths, and one that will hold air on the surface for signaling. I recognize that I may have to get 2 different ones to do the best job. Here in thailand, the only quality SMB's i've been able to find are the OMS and the Halcyon.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

With all of your concerns factored in, i think that you should just go with the Halcyon Super Big SMB. I personally use it and won't dive without it.

Halcyon Surface Marker Buoy's 14.002 *Buy Halcyon at DIVESEEKERS.com 888-SCUBA-47
- 6 Feet (1.8 m) long
- Closed-circuit (one-way valve) construction
- Can Inflate at the surface to attract attention
- Can Inflate at depth to send up as a surface marker
- All markers are small enough when deflated to fit in a Halcyon thigh pocket or MC Storage Pak
- Super Big Alert Markers both come with Coast Guard approved SOLAS reflective tape across the top for improved visibility.

 

[watboy]

Can you confirm that the 4.5' Halcyon Big dam can be filled both orally and from a secondary? Its been my experience that launching orally inflated SMB's from shallow depth doesn't get the marker high enough above the water for me. I may have to get a 6'+ for signaling and a sub 6 foot one for launching from the shallows.

 

[a22shady]

As wayne Recomended The 6' is the one to go with. It's great for signaling and also big enough to be used as a lift big. It's great and fits in a pocket or in the Pocket on a BP/w. I have delt with Diveseekers several times and Wayne specifically. They are a top dealer and stand behind there products.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

Can you confirm that the 4.5' Halcyon Big dam can be filled both orally and from a secondary? Its been my experience that launching orally inflated SMB's from shallow depth doesn't get the marker high enough above the water for me. I may have to get a 6'+ for signaling and a sub 6 foot one for launching from the shallows.

Halcyon makes 2 different 4.5' SMB's.

Fully Closed Closed-Circuit - Can inflate orally (breath) or with BC or Drysuit Hose
Big Diver's Alert Marker, 4.5' (1.4 m) long, closed circuit 14.030.040 *Buy Halcyon at DIVESEEKERS.com 888-SCUBA-47

Semi-Closed Open Bottom - Can orally inflate (exhalation bubbles from reg) or by purging a reg into it.
14.040.001 Diver's Alert Marker, 4.5' (1.4 m) long, open bottom orange
Halcyon Surface Marker Buoy's 14.002 *Buy Halcyon at DIVESEEKERS.com 888-SCUBA-47

In my opinion, I prefer the fully closed models and with good technique (buoyancy, amount of gas, and ascent (tension on line)) it will properly float at the surface. It is always more challenging (control and gas volume) to shoot an SMB the shallower you are. I usually find that divers release the bag too quickly, thus they didn't get enough gas into the bag.

 

[Puffer Fish]

Watboy, launching an smb from say 5 meters is a skill. You have to learn how not to be dragged to the surface, while getting it mostly inflated at depth..

While I have lots of smbs, in traffic areas... go with the 6 ft one

 

[watboy]

I have launched from 5 meters plenty of times. I just don't like the SMb's i've been using. I started off using the cheapo ones, but they don't last long. The last one I had burst when I had to tow a client. What i've learned is that the oral inflate SMB's don't rise high enough out of the water when launched from 5 meters. I can easily launch my surfacemarker w my octo, but it isn't self sealing. I guess basically, I'm looking for a 6' self sealing/semi closed SMB. Since i don't think i can find that, it looks like i'll just get a closed circuit 6' for signaling, and keep my surfacemarker open circuit one for shallow launches.