Uses for a dive reel

[LIVES4SHARKS]

I have a finger spool on all dives and carry some large line arrows in my bag. I just got a primary reel so I am still learning to use it above water before fuddling below. I have used my spool many times when in bad vis marking my anchor line to the wreck or reef then using an arrow as added measure. I also tend to lay a line even on a simple wreck, you never know when you might get silted out! There are many uses for spools and reels. You just never know when it might come in handy so it has become part of my setup!

Get lots of practice above water with the reel. It's really a bugger if it fouls up on you underwater!

Good luck!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[jeffberry]

I use a cheap one for my dive flag!

 

[theITdiver]

This may be a dumb newbie question, but when would a reel be used versus a spool? I assume a spool is just like a spool of string, no handle. Versus a Reel that would have a handle to keep control. I suppose some of this will be answered as I read my wreck diving book over the next few days. Thanks!

 

[TSandM]

Spools are useful for short distances. They have the advantage of being almost impossible to "jam", because they have no moving parts. Reels, on the other hand, are alien creatures out of Area 51; they parasitize divers and breathe their gas, and whenever convenient to them (and inconvenient to the operator) they jam, knot up, birds-nest, or otherwise behave in infernal fashions. If you can make them behave, though, they're much nicer if you have to run line over a long distance. Just make sure you have enough gas for both of you.

 

[tc]

Used one to pull an extension cord across the underside of a pier a couple of weeks ago.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

This may be a dumb newbie question, but when would a reel be used versus a spool? I assume a spool is just like a spool of string, no handle. Versus a Reel that would have a handle to keep control. I suppose some of this will be answered as I read my wreck diving book over the next few days. Thanks!

Reel Uses
Using A Reel Versus A Spool
SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Product Catalog - Finger Spool 50-feet

One has a mechanism to wind your line, the other does not. They can both be used for many diff. things, from laying a line to deploying a lift bag or SMB. The key to their essential use is getting you back to where you came from. Especially in low visibility or overhead situations. Since one cannot predict what will happen on a dive, it has become part of my standard safety gear.


Good luck!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[4sak3n]

I once used a spool (not a reel, mind you, but you could easily substitute a reel here) as a weightbelt.

...

No, really.

Noob me went into the water without his weightbelt and since I couldn't get back out to go and fetch it I instead removed some positive buoyancy (in the form of my tunic) and attached it to my spool and towed it behind me.

Without the added buoyancy form my tunic it was as if I had a weightbelt ... all thanks to my buddy Mr. Safety Spool.

P.S. TSandM is right. My arch-nemesis Mr. Non-Safety Reel creeps out of his box at night to drink my blood ... :11: At least, thats the only way I can explain for making my head spin underwater when I am trying to use him. Nevertheless, I keep him firmly in his place by making him work extra hard when its time to send up that SMB for a safety stop. Who says that revenge isn't sweet?

 

[MX727]

Carrying a spool just might come in handy if you ever need to do a search/recovery.

 

[DarkCoffee]

Spools are useful for short distances. They have the advantage of being almost impossible to "jam", because they have no moving parts. Reels, on the other hand, are alien creatures out of Area 51; they parasitize divers and breathe their gas, and whenever convenient to them (and inconvenient to the operator) they jam, knot up, birds-nest, or otherwise behave in infernal fashions. If you can make them behave, though, they're much nicer if you have to run line over a long distance. Just make sure you have enough gas for both of you.

Having completed my wreck course just recently, I can safely claim you are being too kind about reels. Lets not forget the 'Virginia Creeper' impression they do around the nearest set of fin buckles or 1st stages...

 

[Guba]

On a totally non-serious note...put a hook on the end, bait that sucker up, and you can even pick out the fish you want for dinner!

(Note: if it's a really big fish, you might want to anchor yourself. Otherwise, the use becomes "get pulled around by the local fawna".)