SMB Line Shortening Trick

[OMATICH]

If you are talking about the SMBs one carries in a pocket then I agree with string. It's nuts to NOT have one attached to a spool.

And NEVER, EVER.. ( did you hear that?? ) attach it to oneself when deployed! NEVER..

For crying out-loud, it can't get easier or simpler to attach an SMB to a spool and stow it in a pocket. Hell, I have attached the same to a D-ring ( not deployed ) when diving a shorty with no pockets.

I really do feel everybody here is completely missing the way this should really be done. The plain rope is indeed by far the easiest, safest, simplest and most compact way to send up an SMB at 5m on your safety stop. All it takes is the understanding of the chain sinnet. The other half hitch knotting with the weight system is also incorrect, as all that you need is two quick releasing snaps of some sort and 5m of line. I personally use a dual snap like the one used in a finger spool and a yachting quick release snap shackle. I also have about a foot of shock cord or bungee to provide some elasticity. The way my system works is you tie the cord to the SMB using a simple knot, even a reef knot would do but i use a figure 8 with a lasso for cleaning the cord. A perfection knot or surgeons loop make suitable knots here too. I use paracord not the crap blind cord that comes with reels as it is a lot more manageable and durable, not to mention looks better. I then use perfection loops to attach the shock cord as they are the only loop knot that works with shock cord. Then another perfection loop onto my QR snap shackle. I then tie a tight sinnet with the paracord but not the bungee, starting at the bungee and working up to the SMB. When at the SMB you snap the double snap onto the last loop and pull it tight. This makes 5m into about 1, which wraps around the SMB nicely. Contrary to what most divers say as I am not using a useless snap I put the QR shackle on my shoulder d ring, unroll the cord and inflate the SMB. The sinnet stays done until you remove the double snap, which you do to release the SMB. No weight or cord trailing to the bottom, up goes the SMB pulling the sinnet undone as it goes. All this time I have my hand on the big lanyard I made for the QR shackle using a cobra braid, ready to release in the event of a snag (which does not happen with a sinnet, hence why you use them). You can then follow the line up and shove the cord into your pocket. SORTED. I may only be a novice but my passion for knots and lots of mountaineering have shown me that finger spools are crap for rec diving. If you are tech diving then get a decent reel. This works guaranteed. All the best, sorry you all got schooled by an OW with 16 dives. Hahaha...

P.S. I can post pics if you guys want. Also: take the ball off the dump valve and just tie a knot in the rope. folds up much nicer, less to break, works just as well.

 

[OMATICH]

Optimist Snap shackle (EX1371) | Shackles, snap shackles, swivels | Other Yacht Fittings | Yacht Fit | Binks Marine

also some pix, rolled up, unrolled, and detail (if you pulled on the smb those links just come undone. the smb fills and pulls them out)

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I really do feel everybody here is completely missing the way this should really be done. The plain rope is indeed by far the easiest, safest, simplest and most compact way to send up an SMB at 5m on your safety stop. All it takes is the understanding of the chain sinnet. The other half hitch knotting with the weight system is also incorrect, as all that you need is two quick releasing snaps of some sort and 5m of line. I personally use a dual snap like the one used in a finger spool and a yachting quick release snap shackle. I also have about a foot of shock cord or bungee to provide some elasticity. The way my system works is you tie the cord to the SMB using a simple knot, even a reef knot would do but i use a figure 8 with a lasso for cleaning the cord. A perfection knot or surgeons loop make suitable knots here too. I use paracord not the crap blind cord that comes with reels as it is a lot more manageable and durable, not to mention looks better. I then use perfection loops to attach the shock cord as they are the only loop knot that works with shock cord. Then another perfection loop onto my QR snap shackle. I then tie a tight sinnet with the paracord but not the bungee, starting at the bungee and working up to the SMB. When at the SMB you snap the double snap onto the last loop and pull it tight. This makes 5m into about 1, which wraps around the SMB nicely. Contrary to what most divers say as I am not using a useless snap I put the QR shackle on my shoulder d ring, unroll the cord and inflate the SMB. The sinnet stays done until you remove the double snap, which you do to release the SMB. No weight or cord trailing to the bottom, up goes the SMB pulling the sinnet undone as it goes. All this time I have my hand on the big lanyard I made for the QR shackle using a cobra braid, ready to release in the event of a snag (which does not happen with a sinnet, hence why you use them). You can then follow the line up and shove the cord into your pocket. SORTED. I may only be a novice but my passion for knots and lots of mountaineering have shown me that finger spools are crap for rec diving. If you are tech diving then get a decent reel. This works guaranteed. All the best, sorry you all got schooled by an OW with 16 dives. Hahaha...

P.S. I can post pics if you guys want. Also: take the ball off the dump valve and just tie a knot in the rope. folds up much nicer, less to break, works just as well.

A suggestion mate, don't drink and post, its all too easy to miss the date and post a zombie reply.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

All the best, sorry you all got schooled by an OW with 16 dives. Hahaha...

No worries ... it happens all the time on ScubaBoard. Just wait'll you get another 20 dives or so ... then you'll truly know everything there is to know about scuba diving ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[nimoh]

Never tested this, but I don't believe a 75g weight at the bottom of the rope will create enough tension to stand the smb upright. If you are in some waves, the boat may not be able to see it. Furthermore, I am guessing that if you did put enough weight on it to stand the smb up, then you would be over weighted while diving.

Also, you need to prepare the line either before the dive, or after deploying it, whereas with a spool, since you wind it up while ascending, it is ready for the next dive immediately.

 

[socaljohn]

OK,

So I sat down the other night and worked at it until I figured it out. If anyone is interested I can take some photos of the process and post them. I think that this knot is pretty useful for other things such as climbing or camping.
Erin

Please post photos, I am always interested in new knots.

THX

 

[eelnoraa]

why not a spool? am I missing something?

 

[OMATICH]

avast my late night forum surfing does have some downfalls, usually something to do with lack of direction during rants. I could post a revised response if anybody likes but I think the pictures illustrate what I am saying. Mainly what I forgot to say was that it is safer than a reel because it is almost impossible to birds nest underwater where as with a spool it is a possibility. Bear in mind the chain sinnet is used by climber to put a rope through the washing machine, that is how stable it is.

---------- Post added May 5th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ----------

Never tested this, but I don't believe a 75g weight at the bottom of the rope will create enough tension to stand the smb upright. If you are in some waves, the boat may not be able to see it. Furthermore, I am guessing that if you did put enough weight on it to stand the smb up, then you would be over weighted while diving.

Also, you need to prepare the line either before the dive, or after deploying it, whereas with a spool, since you wind it up while ascending, it is ready for the next dive immediately.

Sounds like a plan, might try it on my rig. I have no really trouble sinneting my like in more than a minute. Doing a big legnth of rope I find to be rather relaxing actually, kind of like knitting ahahah

---------- Post added May 5th, 2012 at 12:24 PM ----------

@eelnoraa
Too big for just 5m, too complex to deploy, esp. with gloves.
If you don't have a problem with them it is good practice for tec diving though.

 

[ferris213]

I really do feel everybody here is completely missing the way this should really be done. .....This works guaranteed. All the best, sorry you all got schooled by an OW with 16 dives. Hahaha...

You should head over to the Hog or DIR forum, there's lots of divers over there who could use your help...

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

You should head over to the Hog or DIR forum, there's lots of divers over there who could use your help...

LOL. Yes they could use the help.

Sent from my DROID X2