Teaching of SMB/Safety Sausage Deployment in Basic Scuba training

[D_B]

I'm glad so many instructors contributing to this thread are responding that SMB deployment is taught during their AOW classes. I did not learn, which I greatly regret: it's such an important skill to have. (Especially here on Oahu, where currents' Hawaiian names all seem to translate to "The Fastest Way to Tahiti".) I've seen enough You Tube videos and heard enough anecdotes to understand that SMB deployment takes some practice to master, and that the first few attempts can be extremely humbling. I am NOT looking forward to that!

as TSandM stated, I could not imagine doing one in my OW class, and most of us ended up with decent buoyancy control.

I now always carry one on every boat dive, and while I havn't done any shore dives since getting one, dont think I'm taking it off for any here.
The first time I had to deploy one is in the Gulf on the MOF Dry Tortuga trip, live boat drift dives, we all had to have one, but only had to deploy it on the surface
(I did so at the 20 foot safety stop to make their job easier ... Capitains tip .. If it's your first time under water, do it at the END of your stop, just in case you have trouble and rise up .. um yeah :blush: )

 

[paddler3d]

i do know if you do a serch and recovery class, depending on what the search and recovery is for, they use a lift bag. but this does not fall into the same catagory if you ask me. attaching a lift bag to an object and inflating it is not like having to deal with the reel or finger spool that is attached to anything being used to mark your position while still underwater.

In our search and recovery class, the student uses a circular search pattern and then uses an SMB to mark the object to be recovered. Surface and then determine the best way to recover the object. Dive 1.

Dive 2. Use and lift bag to recover the object.

 

[AndrewA]

BSAC (and I think the other two UK agencies) include DSMB deployment from the Bottom in the basic Ocean Diver training. DSMB from mid water is part of Sport Diver training (their second level trianing roughly equivalent to Rescue Diver) it is also included in the Advanced Nitrox Course.

 

[String]

BSAC (and I think the other two UK agencies) include DSMB deployment from the Bottom in the basic Ocean Diver training.

BSAC don't.

DSMB from mid water is part of Sport Diver training (their second level trianing roughly equivalent to Rescue Diver) it is also included in the Advanced Nitrox Course.

Its dive leader for BSAC so the 3rd tier for mid water DSMB.

 

[vinegarbiscuit]

as TSandM stated, I could not imagine doing one in my OW class, and most of us ended up with decent buoyancy control.

I now always carry one on every boat dive, and while I havn't done any shore dives since getting one, dont think I'm taking it off for any here.
The first time I had to deploy one is in the Gulf on the MOF Dry Tortuga trip, live boat drift dives, we all had to have one, but only had to deploy it on the surface
(I did so at the 20 foot safety stop to make their job easier ... Capitains tip .. If it's your first time under water, do it at the END of your stop, just in case you have trouble and rise up .. um yeah :blush: )

I never said anything about SMB deployment being taught during OW?

 

[D_B]

I never said anything about SMB deployment being taught during OW?

the TSandM quote was for the title of this thread, .... the post on your fist SMB deployment was for you, sorry

another tip I learned .. rig your SMB out of the corner of your eye while watching the particulate matter in the water, it gives you direct and instant feedback on whether your rising or dropping in the water column

 

[bluefabian]

Again, wow for the intense response.

 

[vinegarbiscuit]

the TSandM quote was for the title of this thread, .... the post on your fist SMB deployment was for you, sorry

another tip I learned .. rig your SMB out of the corner of your eye while watching the particulate matter in the water, it gives you direct and instant feedback on whether your rising or dropping in the water column

No worries! And I appreciate the advice...I think learning to shoot a bag/SMB while maintaining neutral buoyancy (and not getting tangled in the damn thing) is going to be what's referred to by tactful individuals as "a learning experience"!

 

[Cave Diver]

Again, wow for the intense response.

Welcome to :sblogo:

If you think this is intense you should have asked about split fins, backplate/wings whether its okay to wear your mask on your forehead or DIR.

 

[D_B]

you left out diving with a ... snorkel