What is the proper use of a Diver Marker "Sausage"

[Sperbonzo]

I often come up some distance from my own boat, or a dive charter boat, and I've had some close calls with boats coming over our heads while doing our safety stop.

Some friends have suggested that I buy a sausage marker.

How is it deployed? I assume that I fill it with my oral inflater on my BC, (or maybe not?), but what about deploying it? Do I have attach line to it? Should I attach the line prior to the dive, or carry some in a BC pocket? How much line?

This product is getting pushed a lot these days and I'm wondering what people think. I prefer not to have bunches of gear hanging off of me like fungus, but if it's worth it safey-wise, then I'll carry one...

Any thoughts and/or advise?

 

[LiteHedded]

with mine you have to blow it up orally when you're on the surface
I use it a lot

 

[beautybelow]

The more popular ones for safety stops and simply putting up before you surface to warn boat now are open on the bottom so all you have to do is give it a shot with your octo. One of those attached to a reel and you dont have to worry about how much line either. Just practice with it though. It is not as easy as it looks.

 

[Richesb]

Become a better underwater navigator!!!
You should carry a safety sausage in a BC pocket. Deploy it when necessary with a line attached to you or it is worthless. This will aid in whoever is in the boat to pick you up if you are that far from the boat (no excuse other than bad navigating).
Option 2 is dive with a float/flag - until you become a better navigator.

 

[Sperbonzo]

with mine you have to blow it up orally when you're on the surface
I use it a lot

So you can't deploy it from 15 feet down while on your safety stop? When I'm on the surface I can see boats coming and use my whistle and wave to keep them off, (so far anyway). It's when I'm just below the surface hanging that I need it.

Obviously when I'm PLANNING a drift dive, then I bring a flag with me, but when there is a large flag on my boat then dragging a flag is a pain in the ***.... especially when I'm down there grabbing bugs!!

 

[beautybelow]

There are things other than just navigation that may bring you up away from you boat. I wouldnt "attach" it to you either while you drift on your stop. A lot of current can pull you and if a boat did snag it well...you would want to be able to let it go of course. I deploy mine when I begin my safety stop. I use a reel (small cave) and inflate it and let it pop up, then hold it in my hand, actually just letting the string slide through my fingers so the surge if any doesnt bob me with the sausage. If you get one and use it on every dive for a little while you will get used to doing it when you need it.

 

[Sperbonzo]

Become a better underwater navigator!!!
You should carry a safety sausage in a BC pocket. Deploy it when necessary with a line attached to you or it is worthless. This will aid in whoever is in the boat to pick you up if you are that far from the boat (no excuse other than bad navigating).
Option 2 is dive with a float/flag - until you become a better navigator.

LOL!!!

Thanks Rich.

I'm actually pretty good at Underwater Nav. It's just that there are times when I want as much time at the coral heads grabbing as many bugs as I can, and they plus currents may lead me away from the boat. Since it is generally my wife and myself diving, there is no one left on the boat to drive it over to us.

 

[DandyDon]

IMO, any diver who goes to sea without a sausage is simply reckless. Mine stays cliped to my BC.

So you can't deploy it from 15 feet down while on your safety stop? When I'm on the surface I can see boats coming and use my whistle and wave to keep them off, (so far anyway). It's when I'm just below the surface hanging that I need it.

Sure you can. Mine is closed, but I have filled it 1/3 full at 70 ft, deployed it on a reel, and cranked it up slowly on ascent. It might be over filled at times after surfacing, but even the $20 ones are pretty tough. Spend more on the open end model if you want, but don't dive without one.

Deploying from depth can be tricky. Until you are comfortable with that, you can inflate it at 5 ft and make sure you hold on well. Or once on the surface. Anything will help.

 

[shark_tamer]

I inflate mine with my octo when the dive is over.

On my way up at about 10 or 15 meters down, inflate it with my octo. It is attached to a reel with 30 meters of rope.

I have done a bright red mark at 5 meters ... safety stop mark, but still keep any eye on my PDC.

Sausage and reel are hooked to my BC on my right side... it takes a while to get use to diving with all that gear, but you get used to it pretty quickly.

Two things to look for when you buy yours;

1) Make shure the one you buy has weights at the bottom, otherwise the signal lays flat on the water ... not much of a signal when only 3 inches sticks out of the water !!!

2) Try to buy one that closed itself and is stiff enough ... if not, when it gets to the surface it deflates !!!

:no :no Would never dive without it !!!!

P.S. I'm always amazed at how fast that thing shoots topside !!!

 

[Sperbonzo]

It is attached to a reel with 30 meters of rope.

...

Sausage and reel are hooked to my BC on my right side...

So can/should I use a small "finger reel" to deploy it? I just don't fancy the thought of having my full size reel clipped to my BC