johndiver999
Contributor
I thought you were supposed to train like you dive? Could not the instructors invent some other task loading event that is not opposite of what you would do on a reel dive?
Why not attach spool to DSMB before the dive?
- Thread starter Brilig
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Here's what works for me after trying tons of different configurations and permutations.
Primary reel (for penetrations and shooting DSMB) is on my butt D-ring. Right pocket contains the primary SMB and backup reel (100ft). Each on its own double ender and clipped within the pocket. Left pocket is backup SMB and backup mask.
I no longer carry an SMB and reel attached to each other and certainly NOT outside a pocket. I can't tell you how many times an SMB unrolled or the spool unrolled. At times it's a nuisance, but at one point it became an entanglement hazard. The line was everywhere. This is especially true if you do any type of wreck penetrations, where I've had my equipment snag. Anyway, I digress.
So here's a picture of my primary reel and SMB:
Now, if there's just no time to futz around with attaching the reel and it MUST be deployed right away, I'll just use the double ender like so:
If anything happens to my primary reel or SMB, then I go to the backup.
One of the reasons I've separated everything is because my 100ft reel was no longer long enough to launch the DSMB when I'm on a deep wreck and carrying the equipment outside my pockets was problematic, as I've stated. Lastly, I had one situation where I needed a line to secure deco cylinders and if everything is constantly attached together then I'll have to bring additional reels for additional tasks. Keeping everything separate keeps my gear options flexible and as you can see in the picture above, it takes no time to deploy the DSMB.
Primary reel (for penetrations and shooting DSMB) is on my butt D-ring. Right pocket contains the primary SMB and backup reel (100ft). Each on its own double ender and clipped within the pocket. Left pocket is backup SMB and backup mask.
I no longer carry an SMB and reel attached to each other and certainly NOT outside a pocket. I can't tell you how many times an SMB unrolled or the spool unrolled. At times it's a nuisance, but at one point it became an entanglement hazard. The line was everywhere. This is especially true if you do any type of wreck penetrations, where I've had my equipment snag. Anyway, I digress.
So here's a picture of my primary reel and SMB:
Now, if there's just no time to futz around with attaching the reel and it MUST be deployed right away, I'll just use the double ender like so:
If anything happens to my primary reel or SMB, then I go to the backup.
One of the reasons I've separated everything is because my 100ft reel was no longer long enough to launch the DSMB when I'm on a deep wreck and carrying the equipment outside my pockets was problematic, as I've stated. Lastly, I had one situation where I needed a line to secure deco cylinders and if everything is constantly attached together then I'll have to bring additional reels for additional tasks. Keeping everything separate keeps my gear options flexible and as you can see in the picture above, it takes no time to deploy the DSMB.
beester
Contributor
I was trained to assemble. It's what is the procedure during a fundies course, main reason however is to add workload to you, while you need to maintain trim, position, depth, and keep awareness (eye contact with buddies).
However in day to day wreck diving I keep the spool attached to the SMB and in my left pocket. If I need another spool/reel if penetration warrants this I'll add one, if I need more than 1 smb I'll add that but disassembled. If I really need the spool I can always disassemble it.
Keep it simple!
However in day to day wreck diving I keep the spool attached to the SMB and in my left pocket. If I need another spool/reel if penetration warrants this I'll add one, if I need more than 1 smb I'll add that but disassembled. If I really need the spool I can always disassemble it.
Keep it simple!
hammet
Contributor
I had the opposite problem a couple of weeks ago. I keep an smb tied to my spool . The spool I had was recently ordered from DGX but I forgot how much line I ordered it with.
We were diving in S. Florida and our own dive boat ran over our flag and severed the line a few minutes into the dive. Rather than abort the dive, we chose to send up my smb, but since I didn't know how much line I had on it for the 65 depth (plus scope) we would need, I untied it from my spool and my buddy tied it to remaining line for the flag. (Turns out i ordered the 100ft so I would have been fine with the spool anyway).
We were diving in S. Florida and our own dive boat ran over our flag and severed the line a few minutes into the dive. Rather than abort the dive, we chose to send up my smb, but since I didn't know how much line I had on it for the 65 depth (plus scope) we would need, I untied it from my spool and my buddy tied it to remaining line for the flag. (Turns out i ordered the 100ft so I would have been fine with the spool anyway).
I had a minor one where diving in 3 where my buddy hooked a permanent buoy at the dive site with his DSMB, when we finished the dive and the current was stronger than expected.
He got pulled towards the surface and didn’t want to let go before I launched a DSMB because he thought we could get lost. With the speed at which he was pulled I really thought his DSMB was pulled by a boat. (It’s only after the dive that the boat told us he saw it entangled with the buoy)
I keep one of my two dsmbs already prepared so it was no issue. But it would have been harder to keep at the same depth with him fighting to keep down while assembling one making sure than the third guy is with us in low vis.
SubseaSports
Contributor
Wow 13 pages lol.
Good stuff though.
I keep spool or reel connected depending on dive (whether pulling a dive buoy or not)
SMB is bungied on dead side of reel and connected if I am not pulling a flag.
Good stuff though.
I keep spool or reel connected depending on dive (whether pulling a dive buoy or not)
SMB is bungied on dead side of reel and connected if I am not pulling a flag.
Follow up question: when storing the 2 unattached, I am able to secure the line by passing it through 2 holes on the spool in a similar way to what you have in the picture. It basically avoids the double ender to open unintentionally.
How do you secure this when storing attached?
How do you secure this when storing attached?
My primary & backup DSMBs with attached spools are in my right & left pocket respectively. I don’t have to utilize these tricks to keep the double ender from becoming detached. Also, there are alternative methods that can be utilized to help prevent the double ender from detaching that don’t required the spool & DSMB to remain detached.
Similar threads
