The keys for me, after countless practice is
- Get into totally neutral buoyancy and mid-lung capacity (i.e. you have the most ability to go up or down with breath control) before starting. Take your time getting there. If you're not totally stable and comfortable, you'll just add to your task loading while you're getting the SMB sorted out. This is something I've found to be useful in general, whether launching an SMB or doing a gas switch where you need to hold depth.
- Following from the first point, it sounds like you need to shift some weight around to get good wetsuit trim.
- I use the GUE SMB launch protocol (I think you can find various videos on it on YouTube, or you can see probably the best step-by-step breakdown on GUE TV). Pick a process and follow all the steps (e.g. Don't forget to clip off accessories like your light and stow your light cord. Don't forget to look upwards both ways for other divers).
- A standard SMB will float fine with a half breath from 30 feet, so just work on getting that half-breath into the SMB, putting the reg back in, and only inhaling when you launch. At 2.5m, it'll barely float, but it'll be good enough in deeper water. Basically don't worry about getting more than that good half-breath in. You're done!
- Sometimes those oral valves are tricky to put in between numb, frozen lips and air just dribbles out the first time instead of going into the SMB. I've found adding an extra breath to the SMB is no big deal. You're still able to control your buoyancy with your lung capacity.
- Get into totally neutral buoyancy and mid-lung capacity (i.e. you have the most ability to go up or down with breath control) before starting. Take your time getting there. If you're not totally stable and comfortable, you'll just add to your task loading while you're getting the SMB sorted out. This is something I've found to be useful in general, whether launching an SMB or doing a gas switch where you need to hold depth.
- Following from the first point, it sounds like you need to shift some weight around to get good wetsuit trim.
- I use the GUE SMB launch protocol (I think you can find various videos on it on YouTube, or you can see probably the best step-by-step breakdown on GUE TV). Pick a process and follow all the steps (e.g. Don't forget to clip off accessories like your light and stow your light cord. Don't forget to look upwards both ways for other divers).
- A standard SMB will float fine with a half breath from 30 feet, so just work on getting that half-breath into the SMB, putting the reg back in, and only inhaling when you launch. At 2.5m, it'll barely float, but it'll be good enough in deeper water. Basically don't worry about getting more than that good half-breath in. You're done!
- Sometimes those oral valves are tricky to put in between numb, frozen lips and air just dribbles out the first time instead of going into the SMB. I've found adding an extra breath to the SMB is no big deal. You're still able to control your buoyancy with your lung capacity.
