CWK
Contributor
Tec divers can use the spool (line) for other purposes.
Shooting a bag (DSMB) in strong current conditions
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That's why I'm asking. I've been diving technically for 15 years and the number of times I've needed to take my spool off of my blob because I needed the spool for some other purpose is exactly ZERO.
However, the number of times I've needed to launch a blob and benefited from the fact that it was already attached counts in the high hundreds.
R..
CWK
Contributor
If you need to lay guidelines then either keep it seperate and/or carry addiction. If the spool is only for the SMB, then by all means attach them. They can always be detected. I have basic Tec certification and I keep my line attachedvto my SNB. Makes deployment very quick.
I think it just provides some extra task loading in a training scenario.
OP
Agree. I’m in the same camp as @Diver0001. In all my years diving Tec, the bag is always pre-attached to the spool, ready for deployment.
The occurrence for DSMB deployment is nearly 100% on each Tec dive vs. the chance that you will need an “additional” spool to lay line. If so, then remove it
.
OP
While not a PADI AOW standard, I require all of my AOW students to perform a midwater DSMB deployment before getting certified. For me, it's the culmination of the essential skills a good AOW diver must have (buoyancy, trim, kicks, task loading, situational awareness, problem management, etc.). A final AOW exam of sorts . Not that they fail if they can’t do the skill, but I just need to continue to work with them until they get it .
A good teaching technique that I came up with is what I call a “shoot and pull.” I would position the student midwater, in trim and neutral buoyancy, they deploy the DSMB, I deflate it, they pull it back down, roll it up and start the deployment practice all over again. Last weekend, I had an AOW student and we did this 16 times on the same dive until he’s able to do it. We ended past night fall as in the pic below. My student in the video on post #1 did it multiple times as well on earlier training dives. Students love this exercise, it’s like batting practice. The hard work is with the Instructor haha. When they finally get it, buoyancy control, trim, and other skills become second nature to them . It's very rewarding for me as their Instructor to see them achieve a higher level of diving .
. Not that they fail if they can’t do the skill, but I just need to continue to work with them until they get it . A good teaching technique that I came up with is what I call a “shoot and pull.” I would position the student midwater, in trim and neutral buoyancy, they deploy the DSMB, I deflate it, they pull it back down, roll it up and start the deployment practice all over again. Last weekend, I had an AOW student and we did this 16 times on the same dive until he’s able to do it. We ended past night fall as in the pic below. My student in the video on post #1 did it multiple times as well on earlier training dives. Students love this exercise, it’s like batting practice. The hard work is with the Instructor haha
. When they finally get it, buoyancy control, trim, and other skills become second nature to them . It's very rewarding for me as their Instructor to see them achieve a higher level of diving . CWK
Contributor
Repetition is great. They need the practice. Do you give them a time target? Perhaps complete DSMB deployment within 20 seconds?
Nobody dives with the spool separated. It's only for task loading during training.
Tec divers carry many spools. Neither myself nor a single one of my diving compatriots would ever carry a separated spool for SMB deployment.
Carry a small one for shooting from depth, a large one in the backplate for surface signaling if necessary.
Tec divers carry many spools. Neither myself nor a single one of my diving compatriots would ever carry a separated spool for SMB deployment.
Carry a small one for shooting from depth, a large one in the backplate for surface signaling if necessary.
CWK
Contributor
Anyone have a picture of how to clip the attached SMB and spool to a D ring?
Yes you can but that would mean you will be drifting with the current. Unless of course your reverse (backwards) kick is so good and strong that you can hold position
You can keep your 6ft DSMB folded in your backplate for surface deployment. It stores well in the BP and can be quickly retrieved with one pull. But a 3.3 ft DSMB for underwater deployment is the best IMHO.
Ok I've found myself head into the current many a times as it seemed the most natural thing to do to stay put and keep oneself from drifting. Is it just better situational awareness that allows one to trim facing head first into the current or is there some physics at play? If a diver is ramrod straight but legs into current for ex?
Let me deploy my 6 footer another few dozen times before I decide on the same conclusion...
P
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