"My introduction to the SMB", or "Viagra, anyone?"

[kazinvan]

Thanks for the correction...

I'm not saying that yours is one or the other, but that they really are not the same thing. Some devices seem to be a bit of both. For me, I like to have both. I have a Halcyon open circuit SMB with a pressure relief valve. It makes it very easy to inflate underwater, I can just stick the end over my reg and let the exhaust fill it up. No worries about overinflation and it's solid construction and metal buckle can make it double as a light lift bag if necessary. I also have a safety sausage. It's longer, thinner, lighter, yellow on one side, red on the other. It's a closed circuit design with oral inflation. I would use this on the surface to signal for help. Once inflated you can attach to your BC. The SMB I will try to use every few dives to make sure I'm comfortable using it, the sausage I hope I never need to use.

A lot of divers have one or the other, and many can perform both tasks but seem to sacrifice a bit in order to do so. I prefer to have both, YMMV.

 

[android]

I've been really please with the AP Valves Buddy DSMB.

It's funnel is fairly easy to fill and the material is textured not slick, so it's pretty easy to handle underwater. I have the yellow/orange one.

 

[derwoodwithasherwood]

I'm not familiar with the trident bag; but, from what you describe, it sounds like it is the right design for deploying from depth. It sounds like it is a DSMB, not a safety sausage.

With lots of practice, you may find even more ways to make the fish laugh. I found that it's sometimes nesessary to stick my finger into the duck-bill valve to open it up and let the air flow. That opening is the limiter for how quickly it can fill so it is pretty critical. Throwing more gas at it doens't do anything but entertain the bass. And if you really just have to have it standing proudly on the surface, you may just have to start earlier (deeper) and let Mr. Boyle do the work.

Next you can try lifting things. That makes filling a bit easier but introduces a whole new set of opportunities to entertain the fish, and your buddy.

Yes, it is designed to be inflated at depth -- it was the only one in the LDS (besides a standard lift bag) that was so designed. The only inflation point is the inverted "funnel" on the bottom. Playing with it ashore, I have discovered my primary reg mouthpiece is a bit shorter and a better fit than the one on my octo, so next time I'll try swapping regs first. Also, I have carefully applied a bit of duct tape around the bottom edge which I hope will make separating the vinyl while wearing gloves a little easier.

I suspect you may be right about the depth, but I was practicing at the lowest limit of natural light penetration (approximately: started off at 20', then 18', then 20', then 17'....) in the theory that it would be easier to learn if I wasn't adding a light into the juggling act just yet. That sight would have had the poor bass rolling in the isle wiping the tears from his eyes, I'm sure!

 

[SteveDiver]

"My introduction to the SMB", or "Viagra, anyone?"

Not viagra...last time I tried one I got a stiff neck....

 

[WellBelowH2O]

After reading so much about the value of an SMB here I decided to add one to my kit.

Wow... I read SMB but for some reason thought SPG. Was wondering how you got along without one before

 

[derwoodwithasherwood]

Wow... I read SMB but for some reason thought SPG. Was wondering how you got along without one before

Air-integrated computer

 

[Taxgeek]

Piling onto this thread a bit. I'm looking for a sausage/marker buoy, and I can't find the kind I want. Maybe somebody out there knows who makes them? Like a safety sausage, long, skinny orange tube. It is what I would call "open circuit" after reading this thread - it's just open on the bottom, like somebody cut one end off. The open end has a place for attaching a clip.

I used these in Burma (supplied by the boat), where the system was to always use one no matter what, every dive. They had tied 15' strings on them, so they were really nice to use during safety stops. It was very large diameter (6" at least), and really easy to inflate - hold the bottom anywhere near octopus and hit the purge and the bag is filled and headed toward the surface.

Does anybody know what I'm talking about? Would love to know who makes this thing and/or where to buy it!

Thanks so much!
Taxgeek

 

[kazinvan]

I have a Halcyon SMB which fits what you are looking for
http://www.halcyon.net/mc/dam.shtml

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The Semi-Closed Alert Marker has a baffled open bottom for filling with a regulator’s second stage; all other Halcyon Divers Alert Markers feature closed-circuit (one-way valve) construction.
---

You should be able to find this at a local store that deals with Halcyon gear.

 

[Taxgeek]

Bingo! Kazinvan wins a prize! (Ok, I don't know what prize, but anyhoo) ;-)

My LDS is alergic to Halcyon or anything that could even theoretically be DIR related . . . guess I'll hafta go surfing.

Thanks for the info, now I know what to search for.
Taxgeek