Question What is the DIR method when it comes to deploying an SMB?

[Learner Diver]

Do you remove regulator from mouth and inflate SMB by breathing into valve?
Do you vent gas from regulator exhaust into opening of SMB?
Do you inflate SMB using inflator hose or connection fitted to first stage?
Do you use mini cylinders attached to SMB?
CCR or OC divers...

 

[Wibble]

Doing It the Right way is whatever is the most appropriate way that works for your circumstances.

A big SMB is vital and filling one of those using exhaled gas is making life difficult.

Ways to fill a bag:

• Using CO2 gas cartridges - very effective, small, quick
• Using a crack bottle filled from a passing open circuit diver's backgas -- work well, bit big
• Using a drysuit inflation hose or bailout hose to fill using the spigot -- works well, not using expensive breathing gas
• Using an "octopus" to blow air up the chuff of an open bag. This is a crap method and many people have been dragged to the surface when their "octopus" got tangled.
• Exhaling up the aforesaid chuff. I give up...

If you can be bothered, here's a recent post describing how to put up a bag

SMB Depth Questions

You need enough line for the worst case scenario as far as current goes. I'd plan on 50% more than maximum planned depth at minimum, I used a Manta jr quick release reel that holds 250' of line (or maybe it was 160') I cant remember now. It's not much bigger than a spool and much more...

scubaboard.com

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

Don’t dive outside of your training. Take a course and get certified: Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) Diver | PADI

In all seriousness, whatever you do, practice it in the shallows. Your method will also depend on depth and size of the DSMB. Avoid methods that use regs unless in an emergency - oral inflation is a cool party trick on a platform, not fun when your hands are full.

 

[Eric802]

Good Lord, PADI will create a course for anything.

 

[tursiops]

Do you remove regulator from mouth and inflate SMB by breathing into valve?
Do you vent gas from regulator exhaust into opening of SMB?
Do you inflate SMB using inflator hose or connection fitted to first stage?
Do you use mini cylinders attached to SMB?
CCR or OC divers...

Why were you banned?

 

[boulderjohn]

Good Lord, PADI will create a course for anything.

So Tom wants to learn how to deploy a DSMB safely and effectively. He does not want any other instruction at this time. Which of the following is the appropriate action?

1. The shop should refuse to do it. "We're not here to serve the needs of the diving community! Go somewhere else!"

2. Or maybe you believe they should teach it for free, since the whole purpose of working as a scuba instructor is to provide free instruction to the masses as a service.

3. Or maybe you believe that instead of taking a simple and inexpensive course to learn how to deploy a DSMB, Tom should instead have only the option of taking a full, long, expensive course that includes DSMB deployment.

4. The shop should have an instructor just go out and teach a DSMB course on his own. Of course, if something goes wrong during the course, Tom (or his estate) can sue, and it will be up to the instructor to defend his or her instructional choices during that lawsuit, since the makeshift course they provided had no recognized agency action.

5. Tom should just go out and learn it on his own.

 

[DivingLane]

DSMB deployment was a skill in my Deep Diver class with SSI. I screwed it up on my first dive, so the instructor made me do it on my next one.

I really want to practice it some, but with shore diving here in La Jolla, I am afraid I will attract lifeguards trying to save me. Our instructor, as a courtesy, let the lifeguards know we would be practicing. Not sure why lifeguards would investigate in Diver Below buoy, but maybe that is a thing? Should have practiced on my recent boat dives here in San Diego, that is probably best time to do it.

 

[rmorgan]

Good Lord, PADI will create a course for anything.

You don't say . . . Boat Diver | PADI

 

[heftysmurf]

DSMB deployment was a skill in my Deep Diver class with SSI. I screwed it up on my first dive, so the instructor made me do it on my next one.

I really want to practice it some, but with shore diving here in La Jolla, I am afraid I will attract lifeguards trying to save me. Our instructor, as a courtesy, let the lifeguards know we would be practicing. Not sure why lifeguards would investigate in Diver Below buoy, but maybe that is a thing? Should have practiced on my recent boat dives here in San Diego, that is probably best time to do it.

Same! Skill in Deep and I think MAYBE my advanced. Then again, I followed advice on here and got a great instructor. He'll say, "This isn't a required skill but I like to teach it."

RE: Lifeguards, I'd just tell them. We see divers using SMBs on the beach sometimes if they venture off from the flag looking at stuff. Never seen Hasselhoff running down the beach for that.

 

[MarkA]

Don’t dive outside of your training. Take a course and get certified: Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) Diver | PADI

In all seriousness, whatever you do, practice it in the shallows. Your method will also depend on depth and size of the DSMB. Avoid methods that use regs unless in an emergency - oral inflation is a cool party trick on a platform, not fun when your hands are full.

That's what places like Stoney and Gildenburgh are for. Practice before using the skills in the sea.

So Tom wants to learn how to deploy a DSMB safely and effectively. He does not want any other instruction at this time. Which of the following is the appropriate action?

1. The shop should refuse to do it. "We're not here to serve the needs of the diving community! Go somewhere else!"

2. Or maybe you believe they should teach it for free, since the whole purpose of working as a scuba instructor is to provide free instruction to the masses as a service.

3. Or maybe you believe that instead of taking a simple and inexpensive course to learn how to deploy a DSMB, Tom should instead have only the option of taking a full, long, expensive course that includes DSMB deployment.

4. The shop should have an instructor just go out and teach a DSMB course on his own. Of course, if something goes wrong during the course, Tom (or his estate) can sue, and it will be up to the instructor to defend his or her instructional choices during that lawsuit, since the makeshift course they provided had no recognized agency action.

5. Tom should just go out and learn it on his own.

Unfortunately. I did No.5 first followed by No.3 10 years later. Don't remember there being DSMB training then.