Back from the dead after 12 years…
[ Also applicable to some of the authors in this thread ]
A different take:
I use an SMB for non-tech WWPF diving, in current, small boat pick-up.
My SMB has 30’ of 3.5 mm Perlon line tied to it, wound around the stowed SMB
I inflate it at the end of the drift dive, I hang off of it blowing Nitrogen. It’s a safety stop autopilot.
ANY boatsman worth tipping has already seen my bubbles. An erect SMB is not really required. They can see anything. One that is clearly marked with my ‘symbol’ so he knows it’s one of his lost sheep, a good idea very few divers accept, boatsman love it.
He arranges his order of pick-up by convenience or perceived need of the diver. I wait until that boat is clearly heading for me, then I ascend. I will not bob around on the surface- I might miss something cool and why risk getting seasick?
So… when the boat comes close, I surface, and the helper gets ‘just the tip’ of my SMB and he can then haul me close and to the ladder by pulling that mountaineering grade line. It’s easier for me and allows him control this tricky maneuver. This is really a dangerous moment.
I use that line for reboarding, 30’ of line is nbd. Haul me aboard, skipper.
I do understand that this OP is talking about different lengths of line for different applications, but “
I would say” that of all SMB’s that exist:
60% have never been practice deployed more than once
90% are never used after purchase other than as ornamentation
5% of divers can deploy them from depth without risk of rapid ascent or entanglement
[
In interests of full disclosure, my SMB is an OMS that’s a ridiculous 8’ long small winky compensation device, I spent a night adrift off of Tobago, so that’s what I tell chicks that giggle over perceived size issues, just sayin’]
My short line is more of a diver recovery aid.
