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

[JohnnyC]

Left. Right hand donates gas if necessary. Primary donate, long hose user.

 

[The Chairman]

During deployment, my spool and SMB are in my right hand in a tight little package. I push the BC inflator hose onto my SMB for three seconds and then let it all go. The spool zips above me and then slowly returns. I usually reconnect my BC inflator hose while I'm waiting for the spool to return.

FWIW, I added "Freespool" to the list of choices for the poll.

 

[Schwob]

Last time I deployed my 6’ DSMB (hog, mouth inflator valve, over pressure relief valve, and inflatable from the bottom (also, I never did on that particular one), I did so from the safesty stop and ended up with a limp sausage. Because I was in a hurry and also juggled a full camera rig and needed to give my wife a tug to slow down.... I just left it at one puff to deal with at the surface. There, I fully inflated and was quite puzzled why I could not get it to stand up. Then I remembered the little blue pill... nah... anyway I was too busy making sure I don’t do anything stupid to the camera rig or the dome port... the boat had found us....

On board I realize there is a foot to foot and a half in the sausage. That explains it wanting to lay flat...
Blown up on dry land the sausage holds pressure (until it’s dry at least).
Which has me wondering:
Most likely cause of the water ingress?
How to avoid?

 

[scubadada]

During deployment, my spool and SMB are in my right hand in a tight little package. I push the BC inflator hose onto my SMB for three seconds and then let it all go. The spool zips above me and then slowly returns. I usually reconnect my BC inflator hose while I'm waiting for the spool to return.

FWIW, I added "Freespool" to the list of choices for the poll.

Do you always do this, regardless of depth, current, and visibility?

 

[The Chairman]

Do you always do this, regardless of depth, current, and visibility?

I haven't been in a situation that contraindicated doing so. Currents have been close enough to keep up/back since it's moving in the same direction. It only goes up ten feet or so until it gains the spin that allows it to stay stable and even start to sink. It's a gamble the first time. You're still questioning your sanity for the next dozen or so. Then it becomes routine. I use the expensive Halcyon SMB since it has the best nipple out there.

 

[tbone1004]

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 ?

i'm sure this has been said. You should NOT be using your drysuit for buoyancy.

You need to manipulate your regulator which is easier done with your right hand, so reel/spool goes in the left hand.

 

[Edward3c]

We, BSAC, use the attached for teaching drysuit only in the early part of diving career.

 

[BlueTrin]

i'm sure this has been said. You should NOT be using your drysuit for buoyancy.

You need to manipulate your regulator which is easier done with your right hand, so reel/spool goes in the left hand.

I use wing for buoyancy, I have tried both however. This was a hypothetical question.

 

[Storker]

You should NOT be using your drysuit for buoyancy

And here we see another of those blanket statements. Isn't it time to start seeing some nuance?

Both the drysuit and the wing/BCD provide buoyancy. Both bubbles need to be managed to avoid squeeze or unmanageable bubbles. OF COURSE the drysuit provides buoyancy, but it's used in a different way than the wing/BCD is used. And relying only on your drysuit for buoyancy underwater is... suboptimal.

 

[tbone1004]

We, BSAC, use the attached for teaching drysuit only in the early part of diving career.

don't care that BSAC teaches, it doesn't mean it's a good idea. Same with secondary take. Advocating drysuit for buoyancy has potentially dangerous consequences if the dump doesn't deflate fast enough, they end up feet up and can't recover, etc. Is the risk high? No, but it's higher than not. In single aluminum cylinders, you don't even need a bcd, you can handle it with your lungs. Fine, but teaching drysuit for means of buoyancy is not preparing them for the future where they will have to compensate for much more than the suit can handle safely.

@Storker the problem with talking about nuance is those who will misunderstand it. The drysuit is NOT for buoyancy compensation, yes it provides buoyancy, but should not be used as primary compensation of buoyancy. Emergency circumstances not withstanding.