Question MAKO: Seeking Feedback for Application of SMB to Recreational Diving

[Wibble]

Inflate it using CO2 cartridges. Easy to deploy.

Or use “crack bottles”, small 0.1 litre bottles you fill from your backgas and it inflates the bag.

 

[happy-diver]

Yeah but it's alright for you to carry extra junk as you already have a big stainless steel box on your back

 

[Wibble]

Ooh, titanium if you please

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Inflate it using CO2 cartridges. Easy to deploy.

Or use “crack bottles”, small 0.1 litre bottles you fill from your backgas and it inflates the bag.

We have that as well..LOL And probably for less than you will see elsewhere. We market them to freedivers who need to lift a speared fish through kelp etc. I didn't know they might be popular with scuba divers. THANKS!

Mako CO2 Auto Inflate White Seabass Float With Belt Pouch

Discover the MAKO Co2 Auto Inflating White Seabass Float - a self-inflating, versatile tool perfect for spearfishing and emergency signaling. Experience easy fish surface retrieval with its unique over-pressure valve that prevents over-inflation. Ideal for White Sea Bass and commercial spearfishing

makospearguns.com

 

[lowwall]

Under SDI Solo certification a DSMB is considered a redundant source of buoyancy for emergencies when solo diving. In such a situation, it seems like a shorter DSMB like this one could be easier to manage than a 6 foot DSMB. Also, the 8 pounds of lift should be sufficient in this scenario for most recreational divers (who are not significantly over-weighted with lead) but still manageable to not rocket up to the surface too fast. Also, seems the bolt-snap configuration on this one would work well attaching to a chest D-ring for this purpose.

Would be happy to try one at the training platform at my local quarry and report back.

You don't need to go to the 6' since there's a bunch of compact DSMBs in the three to four foot range.

For example, here are the options from Piranha which has them arranged by increasing height. They are labeled SMB, but if it has an open bottom or overpressure valve, it's a DSMB.

Surface Marker Buoy's "SMB's" Piranha Dive Shop |

www.piranhadivemfg.com

I just think 2 feet is too small if there is any swell at all. Keep in mind that the bottom 6 inches or so will be underwater if you put pressure on the line to ensure it's standing up on the surface.

 

[Wibble]

The basic requirement of a SMB is to be seen by a boat, be that the dive boat or other passing traffic, especially fast moving vessels such as little squirts (jet ski) or a speedboat.

A small SMB is pointless.

Big is best. 2m/6ft and a decent girth if you want to be seen.

 

[happy-diver]

Titanium hey, mmmmmmmm how posh!