Question on SMB and Spool

Comrades,

I am trying to get together all the gear needed for an Essentials class. I was wondering if I could get recommendations, on a 100’ spool and smaller SMB. I know nothing about them other then I need one for the class, and that the SMB needs to be able to release pressure somehow. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Sheahan

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Permalink Reply by Matt Spiro on June 25, 2009 at 10:38am

hey sheahan

the DSS 3' smb is a great smb to learn to shoot with.

https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=1305

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Permalink Reply by Jake Virnig on June 25, 2009 at 1:38pm

Sheahan that's the one I have, I like it, it's small, easy to use, and rolls up tight. Joe has the H one, and he like that too. I think those are the two main ones that people use. For a spool, they are pretty easy to come by, and i don't think there's much difference.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Wiederspan on June 25, 2009 at 2:13pm

Hey Sheahan-

Good question, and Jake and Matt gave you some good answers. Either one of those smb's will serve your needs well.

A simple 100' spool with a stainless steel double-ender is all else that is needed.

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Permalink Reply by Richard on June 25, 2009 at 4:31pm

Avoid the stainless spools. Generic plastic or delrin are fine and can be found on sale for relateivly little (~$15 with line if you look around a bit).

The DSS SMB can come with either the LPI or mouth tube inflation end, in my limited playing around I can't tell the difference. They both seem to work the same. With such a small bag (couple liters volume) they are easily inflated orally without disconnecting suit inflators etc.

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Permalink Reply by Don Chennavasin on June 25, 2009 at 6:58pm

Richard said:

The DSS SMB can come with either the LPI or mouth tube inflation end, in my limited playing around I can't tell the difference. They both seem to work the same.

I find the LPI version easier to inflate. After a long dive in cold water, my frozen lips don't a sufficient seal to push air through the mouth tube inflation version.

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Permalink Reply by Sheahan Mcculla on June 26, 2009 at 6:41am

Thanks for the help guys! It seems like as long as it has a pressure relief valve, anyone would work fine, whether it’s 3’ or 6’? Thanks for the tip on lpi inflation Richard and Don

One more quick question. I was looking at a Halcyon 4’ SMB, and it has “EMERGENCY” written on the side. Why would they put that on there? If you are shooting a bag as a reference line, you probably wouldn’t want someone on the surface to think it’s an emergency. Any thoughts on this, or do I just not worry about it.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Spiro on June 26, 2009 at 6:47am

Richard said:

The DSS SMB can come with either the LPI or mouth tube inflation end, in my limited playing around I can't tell the difference. They both seem to work the same.

the DSS smb can be inflated via the LPI or orally. from the DSS site:

"A special Notchless Nipple is fitted to the fill stem to allow for inflation using either an LP hose, or orally. This nipple will NOT Permit the LP hose to latch and is ejected when released. "

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Permalink Reply by Matt Spiro on June 26, 2009 at 6:50am

Sheahan Mcculla said:

Thanks for the help guys! It seems like as long as it has a pressure relief valve, anyone would work fine, whether it’s 3’ or 6’?

the 6' bags have a LOT of lift, sheahan. i would recommend learning to use a short one first, to avoid being dragged to the surface... ;)

i'll be at redondo for most of the day on sunday. you're welcome to come down and i'll show you how to shoot my 3' DSS smb.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Wiederspan on June 26, 2009 at 7:19am

Sheahan-

Stay clear of the "emergency" bag. That will do nothing but cause confusion and stress on the surface. Get 3' bag with nothing on it, except for maybe SOLAS (refelective) tape.

As far as bag size, Matt covered it well, again. Unless you're deep, a 6' bag is almost a 2 man job. A 3' bag is super easy and can be deployed and launched by a single person in less than a minute.

If you have any more questions, please keep them coming. I'm glad to see you doing your research before you buy, and I'm sure these questions are helpful to others as well.

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Permalink Reply by Don Chennavasin on June 26, 2009 at 9:37am

Matt Spiro said:

Richard said:
The DSS SMB can come with either the LPI or mouth tube inflation end, in my limited playing around I can't tell the difference. They both seem to work the same.

the DSS smb can be inflated via the LPI or orally. from the DSS site:

"A special Notchless Nipple is fitted to the fill stem to allow for inflation using either an LP hose, or orally. This nipple will NOT Permit the LP hose to latch and is ejected when released. "

DSS makes two SMBs: (1) LPI and (2) Oral only.
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?category=markers

Here's a picture of the Oral only.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Spiro on June 26, 2009 at 11:00am

Don Chennavasin said:

DSS makes two SMBs: (1) LPI and (2) Oral only.

sorry i wasn't being clear. i meant that the DSS smb i linked to in my first reply was inflatable either via the lpi or orally.

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Permalink Reply by Richard on June 26, 2009 at 11:18am

The 4.5ft Halcyon bag is huge (I have one) and not easy to get inflated. 6ft is truly giant. They aren't things you want to learn with at all. Smaller is better to start. You'll probably end up with a very large bag if you dive remote site with high current, but until then practice with the smaller SMBs to get the mechanics down.