SMB Deploy

[Freewillow]

where is the problem if a SMB does not stand always straight up but keep air? I ha a semi open ( I would call it totally open ) SMB from Halcyon that was loosing air at the surface. Replaced it with a closed one and no problem since then. Yes is not vertical all the time but he is big enough to be seen from a distance and deos not loose air.

 

[DogDiver]

I just can't resist.....
Put viagra in it.........

Seriously, I don't need one for cave diving.

 

[Bob DBF]

I use a 6' and an 8' Carter SMBs. These are big SMBs but will require ~4lbs negative to stand upright. If you are hanging on it remember that if the SMB lets go, you are now suddenly 4lbs neg.

I've found that I can run the line under my foot and stand on it, seems to work without adding weight.


Bob

 

[Gareth J]

Most British divers would probably look on it as bad practice to 'hang' on the line. Its not unusual to see the reel or spool locked off sitting a foot below the diver and the line running up and down between his/her fingers.

I've never had a skipper (captain) complain they couldn't see the DSMB because its laying flat in the water.
Most skippers know exactly where you are on the dive (on the wreck), they see the DSMB hit the surface as you end the dive before you leave the site, they know which way the tide will take you, and you are with a group, who will be leaving the bottom probably within 15 minutes of each other. In the UK that means 6 pairs, (if diving from a hard boat rather than a RIB), 6 DSMB's all in the same area, a reasonable group to track, all going roughly the same way (there are notable exceptions!).

UK practice is generally to send the DSMB up before starting the ascent. Generally you go in slightly before slack, and leave after, dependent on the window. I must admit, 20 minutes of decompressing you are relieved to see the boat on surfacing. As a general rule if the decompression is expected to be more that 30 minutes, then I think you need to start looking at a trapeze, to keep the team together and make it easy for the boat to track you, but that's a different kettle of fish. Having done over an hour under an DSMB decompressing, I know your mind start playing tricks about if the boat will be there.



Gareth

 

[Peter69_56]

Become negatively buoyant and that puts weight onto it so it will stand up

 

[Bob DBF]

Most British divers would probably look on it as bad practice to 'hang' on the line. Its not unusual to see the reel or spool locked off sitting a foot below the diver and the line running up and down between his/her fingers.

Normally one would never need an SMB for the boat dives I do here. The incident that prompted me to purchase one was because the conditions were such that the boat would most likely not have seen an SMB if it were lying down, never mind a diver without one. This is my fix to insure it is upright.

Become negatively buoyant and that puts weight onto it so it will stand up

That would work if I could get negatively buoyant at the end of a dive. Unless I surface prematurely and have a lot of air left I will be slightly positive or neutral on the surface with an empty BC. I could carry more weight for that and other reasons, but I choose not to with the diving I do now. Subject to change for good reasons.


Bob

 

[Peter69_56]

Yes if I am diving singles I try and be neutral at the end of dive, but with twins/deco I ensure I am still negative, during deco