An SMB, which can be deployed at depth, is useful in a lot of ways that a simple sausage can't be. If, for example, you are diving from an anchored boat and current blows you off the site, you can send up the SMB as soon as you realize you are not going to be able to make the boat, and they're likely to see it. Otherwise, you may surface quite a ways away, and not be able to get their attention, even with a large surface sausage.
Similarly, if you have to do a blue (or black, if it's night) water ascent, a bag and line makes a nice reference, and makes the ascent easier.
If I were you, I'd spring for the SMB and spool, and then learn to use it. It's a fun skill to acquire, anyway!
Similarly, if you have to do a blue (or black, if it's night) water ascent, a bag and line makes a nice reference, and makes the ascent easier.
If I were you, I'd spring for the SMB and spool, and then learn to use it. It's a fun skill to acquire, anyway!