Have you ever deployed a delayed surface marker buoy or been taught how to?

[uncfnp]

Self taught first but had my “official” instruction during Solo class. I started with a reel (Light Monkey side handle) and still prefer that but can understand others choice of spool. I love the ease of deployment and the handle for hanging during my drift safety stops.

I have tried most of the common practices to deploy except using the inflator (my bag does offer that option). I have found just putting a bit of gas in at depth through a semi open bottom bag with my regulator works best for me.

 

[The Chairman]

Somehow my AOW class skipped this skill.

It's not a requirement for any agency.

I like to see how these instructors/ DMs do it quickly in ripping current

You're moving with the current, so it's not bad.

 

[Storker]

I prefer to use the exhaust from my second stage to inflate the DSMB

That's what I prefer, too, but AFAIU that basically requires an open-bottom sausage. Which has its downsides, as it makes the sausage less suitable as a signaling device when you're on the surface. Just stuffing the reg into the opening and purging it is less task-loading - for me, at least - than blowing two or three breaths into the mouthpiece while maintaining neutral buoyancy. OTOH, in really cold water, there's the risk of the reg freezing and you having a 2nd stage freeflow.

My old sausage was made of PVC or somesuch, with welded seams. It was a really basic type, with an open bottom, no mouthpiece and no overpressure valve (of course, since an overpressure valve isn't necessary with an open-bottom sausage). This summer, the seam split for some 15cm very close to the top, and I was a bit huffed since I believed that the reason that I couldn't inflate it was that I was unable to find the opening. It was fixed with a liberal application of Aquasure, but I've later gotten a new sausage with an sort of a one-way valve in the "open" bottom, plus a mouthpiece, plus an overpressure valve. I haven't gotten around to test-drive it yet, though.

And since we're discussing dSMB issues, it feels appropriate to link to this old thread: My sausage needs Viagra

 

[uncfnp]

I like to see how these instructors/ DMs do it quickly in ripping current where the DSMB line almost horizontal like in Peleliu Express, Palau. Soon enough for the dingy to spot it before we are lost at sea, miles away from the boat to see. This is when DSMB is needed the most.

I remember deploying mine once while drift diving in Florida when the currents at depth were mild but as the bag went up it hit a ripping surface current. It pull my line (230 feet reel) out and then started taking me for quite a ride but also lifting me fairly rapidly toward the surface. I actually got concerned that I might have to cut the line loose.

Back on the boat I asked the crew how they handle this situation. They reassured me that although the initial ascent can be fairly dramatic the issue self corrects and stabilizes before it becomes a real problem just as it did for me. I learned that when it hits the current to pause the line briefly every few seconds and then release it again so that I am lifted more slowly. The other option is to wait and deploy closer to the surface when you are already in that higher flow.

 

[flyboy08]

The dive shop I'm diving with here in Coz wont allow divers to deploy one...only the DM?

 

[Steve_C]

Answer depends on where I am diving. But for NC diving and drift diving I always carry an SMB and a reel. May need the reel in NC sometimes anyway if low viz. In fact in NC, I have used reel more for navigation at bottom and only a couple times for assents. If I am shooting in NC then I am lost/separated from the boat and I want them to know where I am and where I am headed. So always shot from depth. For drift diving off Florida again it is to let the boat know where I am.

I find the reel easier to use then the spool although I was trained on a spool. I have practiced a number of times in the quarry to get my system to be reliable for me. Put a tiny puff of air in smb so that it will stand up. Maybe compensate by releasing a tiny puff of air from BCD. My SMB is open bottom. Then put reel in left hand. right hand holds spare reg at bottom of sausage and sausage. Carefully check where line is and that reel is unlocked. Check again. Then give long squirt of air into bottom of sausage and release it at the same time. Key is to do things slow and careful. At lest for me. It works.

 

[ljpm]

My wife and I do drift dives on the St. Lawrence River occasionally, most planned.
This summer we were diving on the Lillie Parsons for the first time. Our instructions were to come over the keel and then ascend to 30' and the current would push us into the bay for pick up. Unfortunately both the water level and current this summer were very high. We came over the stern and headed to 30'. The current grabbed us and shot us into the shipping channel and down river. Thankfully we had both had recent practice, although not enough, on deploying an SMB from depth. It wasn't a textbook deployment by any means. According to my computer we surfaced 8 minutes after coming over the keel. We surfaced about 800-1000 meters down river. Luckily there was another dive boat there (looking for their divers).

This story is about another couple from the week before or after our dive. Divers face crazy currents

SMB deployment at depth is definitely a mandatory skill for all divers, except perhaps new OW divers.

 

[tbone1004]

we teach deployment from depth as part of our open water course and unfortunately do it with reels. They were donated, so beggars can't be choosers.

I personally use a small dsmb with a spool and can't stand teaching it with the reel. I do not believe shooting from depth should be a required skill at the OW level, however at AOW or higher it should be. Deployment at surface should be, and is a required skill from most agencies

 

[boulderjohn]

Sorry, just figured out how to add additional responses- please go back and cast your vote(s) and comment.

You still don't have a choice for me and I suspect a lot of others. I know how to do it, and I use it whenever it is appropriate to do so. That would be, however, in a strict minority of my dives, so I can't say I use it regularly by any means. I have never done it in a cave, for example. I don't do it when I am using an ascent line, which is pretty common in the dives I do. On the other hand, I can't say that I have rarely done it, because I have done it many times.

 

[tbone1004]

@boulderjohn I voted the two yes answers because of it. I regularly shoot it when I'm diving in a location that warrants it, however I rarely dive in those locations, so unsure what the right answer really is