SMBs. How many, what colors, and why?

[Wookie]

Its far from just a UK thing. The USA is the only place in the world im aware that uses the opposite system. Certainly UK,Europe as a whole, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia the recommendation from all the technical agencies is orange == ok and yellow == help. Its also taught by several european agencies in recreational courses.

Nope, the USA doesn't use the opposite system. We have no system at all.

snip.... my backup is a red lift bag with a sealed vent, my third (Oh sh*t one) is a yellow lift bag with a sealed vent....

And that's what gives this boat captain Tourette's. A lift bag is not an SMB. Most heads stick out of the water further than a lift bag. At least with an SMB, there is a chance it will stick up when a wave passes underneath it.

The whole idea of a SMB is to have someone see you. It makes me crazy that so little instruction is given in tech classes about proper SMB deployment, to say nothing of recreational classes. If you want to be seen, get that thing in the air.

I taught a solo class earlier this month. One of my students deployed his SMB so that it stuck up about a foot out of the water. The rest was collapsed underwater. I asked him who taught him that. He was worried that he would over fill the bag and the air would spill out when it hit the surface??? We had the opportunity to practice that particular skill a second time.

 

[Splitlip]

Nope, the USA doesn't use the opposite system. We have no system at all.



And that's what gives this boat captain Tourette's. A lift bag is not an SMB. Most heads stick out of the water further than a lift bag. At least with an SMB, there is a chance it will stick up when a wave passes underneath it.

The whole idea of a SMB is to have someone see you. It makes me crazy that so little instruction is given in tech classes about proper SMB deployment, to say nothing of recreational classes. If you want to be seen, get that thing in the air.

I taught a solo class earlier this month. One of my students deployed his SMB so that it stuck up about a foot out of the water. The rest was collapsed underwater. I asked him who taught him that. He was worried that he would over fill the bag and the air would spill out when it hit the surface??? We had the opportunity to practice that particular skill a second time.

I'm amazed at how often people insist that a lift bag makes a better surface signaling device than a "tube". I've gotten into a number of internet "debates", although never with a Florida diver. Even once had a guy come to the support of the lift bag advocates by telling me "the DM in Coz only put enough gas in the tube for it to lay on the surface. He said it was easier to see that way than when they stand up." Yeah, from the moon. I guess the DM couldn't shoot it correctly so he spouted that nonsense.

I don't know where people come up with that silliness. Talk to any boat captain,.. oh wait.you are one lol.

Walked into any Jupiter dive op or dive shop. There will be a substantial selection of DSMB of varying sizes, but mostly LARGE. Lift bags are usually a special order.

 

[down4fun]

A recent thread concerning safety equipment got me thinking about this, how many SMBs or lift bags do you carry on a regular basis?

What colors are they, and does the color have any significance to you and those you dive with?

How do you stow them (reel on or off)?

Where do you stow them?

I carry a 6 ft SMB orange, with a three ways to inflate...oral, 2nd stage or lp hose, and a 50# orange lift bag on all dives (except cave). Colors were not taught to me to mean anything specific. But as others have said you should double check with the boat you are on to clarify this. I have heard of others running a second bag up the same line to mean trouble. I have not had to do this.

My SMB is on a d-ring along with two reels. The lift bag is bungied to my back plate as a secondary device should i f@#$ the first deployment. The reels are 250ft and 400ft. It is not uncommon here on the deep wrecks to run out almost all of the 400ft reel if the current is ripping.

And that's what gives this boat captain Tourette's. A lift bag is not an SMB. Most heads stick out of the water further than a lift bag. At least with an SMB, there is a chance it will stick up when a wave passes underneath it.

The whole idea of a SMB is to have someone see you. It makes me crazy that so little instruction is given in tech classes about proper SMB deployment, to say nothing of recreational classes. If you want to be seen, get that thing in the air.

My early tech classes required 2 lift bags not smb's.

But as stated above i now carry a SMB and a lift bag. If the SMB's were easier to stow like a lift bag I would carry two of those.



and definitely the SMB's with the OPV. Early in my diving prior to any tech training I had a 3 ft SMB meant to be deployed at the surface and in a pinch when I got blown off a wreck sent it up from 120ft. Imagine my surprise when at depth i could here "bang" as my SMB exploded from over pressurization at the surface. Good news is the boat heard the noise too and knew where i was

 

[Splitlip]

I actually own a lift bag as well as DSMB's. The lift bags make for better redundant lift devices. I just can't comfortably store both my lift bag and large DSMB. Maybe if I can find a smaller lift bag....

 

[CuNanoTube]

I have a 6' yellow one, it can orally inflate or be inflated from the bottom via a single way valve with a second stage. I have yet to find a good way to store and rig the thing, so the suggestions here are good.
Here is a picture someone took which clearly shows my current "system".

My trim is terrible in this picture as I accidentally put my trim weight pockets in backwards. It was a fun dive being negative almost a kilo on my right side. I also appear to have a loose cam band tail end, huh.

 

[Splitlip]

What BCD are you using,Hashime?

 

[CuNanoTube]

What BCD are you using,Hashime?

An Apeks WTX Harness with a SS back plate, SS STA, and Hog 32lb wing.

 

[Splitlip]

You can make the DSMB disappear with a plate. My DSMB is between my back and plate with a a Halcyon MC storage pac. It is a sleeve that looks like a pad. I had to drill out my Dive Rite plate to line up with the attachment holes of the Halcyon. That is the best place IMO.

Oxycheq makes a similar pack for their plates. I don't know about Apeks. Otherwise, DiveRite makes a couple sleeves that are hung under the plate at the butt. Their newest one, even has a D-ring for a reel or spool. I have DIY'd DSMB holders for a number of my BCD's as well as for friends. BPW are easy. You can even put a couple loops of bungee at the base or side of the plate. I have even put surgical tubing on my tanks to store the DSMB.

 

[Bombay High]

You can make the DSMB disappear with a plate. My DSMB is between my back and plate with a a Halcyon MC storage pac. It is a sleeve that looks like a pad. I had to drill out my Dive Rite plate to line up with the attachment holes of the Halcyon. That is the best place IMO.

Oxycheq makes a similar pack for their plates. I don't know about Apeks. Otherwise, DiveRite makes a couple sleeves that are hung under the plate at the butt. Their newest one, even has a D-ring for a reel or spool. I have DIY'd DSMB holders for a number of my BCD's as well as for friends. BPW are easy. You can even put a couple loops of bungee at the base or side of the plate. I have even put surgical tubing on my tanks to store the DSMB.

I am trying to imagine the positioning of the storage pack. Do you have trouble accessing it when you need it ? I cant imagine it would be easy reaching into the space between the backplate and your back unless you are a rubber man.

Unless I have not understood the process.

Also wouldn't the wingnuts holding your bands damage the SMB ?

 

[Splitlip]

I am trying to imagine the positioning of the storage pack. Do you have trouble accessing it when you need it ? I cant imagine it would be easy reaching into the space between the backplate and your back unless you are a rubber man.

Unless I have not understood the process.

Also wouldn't the wingnuts holding your bands damage the SMB ?

It is a piece of cake. And kind of cool as nobody sees the marker until I deploy it. I fold the marker up like an accordion? if you can see that. Don't roll. Slide it in with the flat of the hand, and position so there are no "lumps". My DSMB, as do most, has a "tail" or loop for attachment to a reel or spool. Mine is pre-rigged to my reel which is clipped off at my hip. Deploying is actually easier than pulling out a wallet.
As I said, people who are unfamiliar with the system are pretty surprised to see the beast of a DSMB appear. Somebody had posted a video of me, but it is gone now.

The wingnuts don't contact the marker (nor does my back), as the "pac" is a sleeve which looks like a back pad.

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