Which hand do use to hold the spool/reel when inflating the DSMB

[Ayisha]

I agree with you but I use a very large DSMB which has no mouth inflator adapter, I need to use my alternate to inflate it.

Aah, there are the 2 issues. The very large SMB and a non-oral inflate. Most of the replies are assuming a closed oral inflate SMB. A 3 - 4 foot closed SMB is so much easier to learn with because the gas is just shifting from your lungs to the SMB, so you remain neutral with it. You put your reg back in, look up to ensure nothing's above, and let it go as you take a breath. The first video that @CptTightPants21 posted is the way that I learned it.

If you're planning on keeping that very large non-oral inflate, hopefully you'll get some good tips...

 

[Graeme Fraser]

I agree with you but I use a very large DSMB which has no mouth inflator adapter, I need to use my alternate to inflate it. This is why I won’t be neutral after inflating it. I try to start neutral with my lungs a bit more inflated, then I keep my lungs more empty when inflating it.

I don’t plan to dump, just want to be able to do it if I need it.

I don’t have a lot of experience in drysuit (or even not much experience diving in general) I’ll practice the shoulder thing.

Horses for courses when it comes to SMB's I'm afraid. An oral inflate 1m bag may be fine in warm water with low swell, but just won't cut it in British waters (assuming that's where your diving). Even with a big set of lungs, trying to get a mouth seal on the inflater after an hour at 8°c is a joke. Regarding AAS inflation, just be careful about freeflowing in cold water and watch you don't get the second stage caught when she starts to go.

Maybe controversial, but have you considered a crack bottle or CO2 cannister SMB? Dead easy.

Either way, practise plenty in a pool or limited water environment.

 

[BlueTrin]

Horses for courses when it comes to SMB's I'm afraid. An oral inflate 1m bag may be fine in warm water with low swell, but just won't cut it in British waters (assuming that's where your diving). Even with a big set of lungs, trying to get a mouth seal on the inflater after an hour at 8°c is a joke. Regarding AAS inflation, just be careful about freeflowing in cold water and watch you don't get the second stage caught when she starts to go.

Maybe controversial, but have you considered a crack bottle or CO2 cannister SMB? Dead easy.

Either way, practise plenty in a pool or limited water environment.

Thanks for the advice.

Previously I would only dive on holidays (except for a weekend in Plymouth) in warmer waters so I would use a smaller DSMB with oral inflate and a spool, no gloves. I do not have any issues with this setup.

I only recently wanted to dive in British waters so I need to get better at using a reel and large DSMBs. I do not want to use a crack botte before I feel like I can inflate them with confidence without one. I won’t be diving in British seas until summer so I’ll be practicing in pool/quarries and during my next holiday in the meantime.

 

[Firebar]

I’ve got a 6’ semi closed dsmb that I’m still learning with. The best way I’ve found of inflating so far is:

1. Get the dsmb ready, spool held securely in right hand between thumb and middle finger, dsmb held with index finger.

2. Retrieve octo from left side (note BSAC has the octo on the other side to most groups).

3. Blip a little air into dsmb to unfurl it.

4. Purge into dsmb and exhale. When you start to ascend let go of dsmb.

5. Inhale to stop descent from empty lungs, tidy octo.

Seems to work ok with 5mm gloves on too.

 

[BlueTrin]

I’ve got a 6’ semi closed dsmb that I’m still learning with. The best way I’ve found of inflating so far is:

1. Get the dsmb ready, spool held securely in right hand between thumb and middle finger, dsmb held with index finger.

2. Retrieve octo from left side (note BSAC has the octo on the other side to most groups).

3. Blip a little air into dsmb to unfurl it.

4. Purge into dsmb and exhale. When you start to ascend let go of dsmb.

5. Inhale to stop descent from empty lungs, tidy octo.

Seems to work ok with 5mm gloves on too.

Thanks that’s very detailed I’ll try that.

At the moment I have this reel: AP Pocket Reel.

It’s ok without gloves but too tiny for me when I wear cold water thick gloves (I tried to use it with thick gloves in a pool). I was thinking of buying a Kent Tooling reel but they are actually asymmetric, hence the question
https://www.mikesdivestore.com/prod...BTkrkL1fssJMJH65FHzZ2DrxBzrEnyuxoCPA8QAvD_BwE

 

[Edward3c]

Thanks for the advice.

Previously I would only dive on holidays (except for a weekend in Plymouth) in warmer waters so I would use a smaller DSMB with oral inflate and a spool, no gloves. I do not have any issues with this setup.

I only recently wanted to dive in British waters so I need to get better at using a reel and large DSMBs. I do not want to use a crack botte before I feel like I can inflate them with confidence without one. I won’t be diving in British seas until summer so I’ll be practicing in pool/quarries and during my next holiday in the meantime.

Inflating a large DSMB from anything less than 10m is challenging and is likely to result in it being less than half full on the surface.
From my experience using a crack bottle is harder than using a reg - you need three hands.
Remember DMSB deployment is part of BSAC Sports Diver training, open water lesson 4. With mid-water deployment in Dive Leader open water lesson 1.

 

[Firebar]

Thanks that’s very detailed I’ll try that.

At the moment I have this reel: AP Pocket Reel.

It’s ok without gloves but too tiny for me when I wear cold water thick gloves (I tried to use it with thick gloves in a pool). I was thinking of buying a Kent Tooling reel but they are actually asymmetric, hence the question

I’ve only got video of me getting it wrong unfortunately! Typical that!

I’ve been using a cheap spool from simply scuba, 45m but I stripped it down to about 30m.

Reel wise I’ve got a ratchet one, I’d still launch right handed with that but probably switch hands when done.

 

[Dsix36]

I have tried every method mentioned above and they all will work. i did not personally like any method that would not allow me to have the SMB inflated (OK partially inflated) and not be able to hold it without being sent for a joy ride to the surface. twice now i have needed to assist other divers after having my SMB filled and ready to release. I was able to maintain my buoyancy and swim to them to offer assistance.

I dive a rebreather exclusively and have finally got my method fine tuned to work for me. I add some extra gas to my breathing loop and vent a bit from my wing to stay neutral. I pull my large SMB, then my 400' reel, then connect them. I grab one with each hand and it only takes a second or two to have it ready. Next i look up and hold the assembly over my head and vent gas from my around my mouthpiece into the bottom of the SMB. I remain perfectly neutral. When the rest of the team is ready to deploy, I merely unlock the set screw and hold the tension with my thumb as i move my other hand to my wing inflator. I remove my thumb and add to the wing at the same time. Still perfectly neutral.

Rules of deployment
1 - keep everything untangled and away from your body and gear.
2 - never have it clipped off to your self (or buddy) even on the surface
3 - always be prepared to let go of it instantly (it is not a matter of if it will jam up, but WHEN it will)

I know this sounds pretty time consuming and difficult but it really isn't. It will not work for everyone but I thought I would share it anyway.

Sometimes I will just dump from my wing into the bottom of the SMB if I want to be lazy. Same exact principal for staying neutral throughout.

 

[markmud]

I used the right hand to hold the reel and DSMB because I thought I can inflate deflate air from my wing if needed with the left hand.

Then I was wondering: if I use my drysuit for buoyancy does that mean I need to do the opposite ?

Hi Blue Trin,

In my cert classes I deployed my DSMB quite well. After that I did well also.

Then I acquired a set of ten thumbs--all thumbs man!

We were in Bonaire (Surge 2018) on the house reef. The Chairman was teaching a class 50' to 100' feet away.

I don't recall who, but someone in the Chairman's class shot their DSMB. They let the thumb spool go. It traveled up the water column, and then unraveled right into the divers hand. That was a cool recovery of a mistake, I thought.

Back on dry land, I asked the diver about it. He said Pete told him to let the thumb spool go to avoid getting tangled with the line and then ascending with the DSMB. I asked Pete about that. He confirmed it. Don't get your fingers tangled up in the string/spool trying to pay out the line. Let it go. It seems to always come back to you. If you miss the grab, oh well. You still have your deployed DSMB and the line to hold for reference.

As others have referenced, one exhale does not inflate my 6' DSMB well. Unless I am below 50+. It still works on the surface, but it is not ridged.

markm

 

[Storker]

I've always held my spool with my left thumb and forefinger.

When I used a simple open-bottom sausage, it felt natural to hold the spool with my left hand and use my right hand to purge the donating 2nd into its opening since I'm right-handed. These days, my sausage is of the oral inflate type, but I still prefer to hold the spool in my left hand. Holding the spool is a low-effort activity, so that task is left for my non-dominating hand.