How do you wind up DSMB while ascending?

[stepfen]

Something not mentioned so far is that usually there is at least a bit of current and/or waves and/or wind on the surface which tend to push the DSMB away from you. Or you are fining/moving anyway and the DSMB lags behind you. Hence the string is not hanging loose vertically down from the surface to you. It is usually under some tension diagonally up and away from you. Hence as you ascent the string doesn't actually become loose. Instead, the DSMB "automatically" simply moves a bit further away from you so the string will eventually retain the tension. As you wind the string, DSMB will just come back closer to you pulled by the force you pull the string with. Sounds complicated but in practice it is usually nothing to worry about.

 

[Searcaigh]

Interested in the premise of OP's question. Normally the DSMB is deployed at the safety stop. But OP asks about deploying from depth, meaning to me that this is not the planned end of the dive.
So.... What procedure for deploying DSMB from depth at the beginning of a dive. Especially in a worst case scenario, thick wet suit, full tank(s), minimal bottom time, so safety stop will be voluntarily omitted.
In this case, I would probably deploy DSMB to the surface, lock and drop the reel, and use the line simply as an ascent line. If possible and safe once at the surface retrieve the line and reel.

I regularly shoot the DSMB prior to ascent. The problem with leaving the reel at the bottom is a possible entanglement with coral or other objects and having to make another dive to retrieve the reel.

 

[gmerick]

​

I regularly shoot the DSMB prior to ascent. The problem with leaving the reel at the bottom is a possible entanglement with coral or other objects and having to make another dive to retrieve the reel.

What I was poorly attempting to ask....
For an un-planned deployment from depth, what is a good method. Yes, I understand that deployment from 20+ meters is much more effective. Yes, I understand (and practice) deploying a DSMB during a planned ascent. But what is best when doing an unplanned ascent early in the dive? What is best when two divers thumb the dive 10 minutes in, and will be doing a free ascent not necessarily at the dive boat? (ex: aborting a drift dive due to nosebleed) An exigent situation where returning to the surface overrides the concern over abandoning a reel.

 

[LI-er]

Never allow slack to form because if you do the odds are high that you'll get wrapped up in your line and make an express trip to the surface.

 

[dray_gnv]

Don't try and do everything all at once or quickly. Let out a air from the BCD, get a little heavy, pull/kick up a bit while winding up, repeat. Keep tension on the DSMB and never get buoyant.

I agree. I hold the reel in my right hand with my computer on my right wrist, so I can easily check depth with a turn of the wrist. That leaves my left hand available to reel in line or dump gas from the bc or lift that elbow to dump gas from my drysuit. I generally can begin an ascent breathing in a bit more deeply and then dump a bit of gas as I begin to rise.

 

[Badger7]

I agree. I hold the reel in my right hand with my computer on my right wrist, so I can easily check depth with a turn of the wrist. That leaves my left hand available to reel in line or dump gas from the bc or lift that elbow to dump gas from my drysuit. I generally can begin an ascent breathing in a bit more deeply and then dump a bit of gas as I begin to rise.

Huh, I don't do that, but it makes some good sense. Going to try switching hands, nice tip!
Do you clip off at a stop, and keep a double ender on your right dring instead of your left?

 

[happyharris]

Interested in the premise of OP's question. Normally the DSMB is deployed at the safety stop. But OP asks about deploying from depth, meaning to me that this is not the planned end of the dive.
So.... What procedure for deploying DSMB from depth at the beginning of a dive. Especially in a worst case scenario, thick wet suit, full tank(s), minimal bottom time, so safety stop will be voluntarily omitted.
In this case, I would probably deploy DSMB to the surface, lock and drop the reel, and use the line simply as an ascent line. If possible and safe once at the surface retrieve the line and reel.

By “from depth” I just meant as opposed to deploying at the surface (making it just an SMB, I guess). Definitely at the end of the dive.

 

[happyharris]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. It seems my initial understanding of having to hold the BCD valve the whole time I ascend was wrong. That clears up the whole misunderstanding for me.

 

[rx7diver]

… or you could use a reel ;-) Works pretty well once you are deeper and need to deploy from the bottom.

I still use the back-up reel that I purchased in 1988 for my NSS-CDS Cavern and Basic Cave courses, with my DSMB. Works fine. I use wreck line (rather than cave line).

BTW, new-ish divers might not know that if the reel should jam as you're attempting to roll up the line, then simply lock the reel, and then wrap the line around the reel as you ascend. Easy peasy. Sort out the issue later.

rx7diver

 

[LFMarm]

I would not dump all air before ascending, just enough to stay neutral. If you become negative, you will not be able to ascend while horizontal.

Regarding your line management, keep reeling in quick enough to keep line tensioned but not so much that you are pulled up by the line.

Going slowly is typically best practice and stopping every few meters also good to check your buoyancy and trim even if you don’t have mandatory stops.