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 Kristof Damen on July 12, 2009 at 1:25pm

I really thought there were no huge differences in smb's. Till one day as a junior instructor I let (one of my best students and one of I've never thought he would have problems) launch an open circuit smb on a 20 m / 65 ft platform in an adv eanx class. His primary second stage got stuck in the loop while inflating the buoy and he started an ascent that scared the wits out of me. Luckily there was a big chord near me I could grap (buoy that marked the platform) - and a second colleague instructor that could deflate his smb. Once we surfaced, a shivering got over me. Since then I'm a big closed circuit smb fan...

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Permalink Reply by Lynne Flaherty on July 12, 2009 at 8:48pm

I'm a huge DSS fan and supporter . . . I think they make excellent gear in general. But I don't like their SMB. I don't like the inflator valve, and I really don't like the exhaust valve. It's difficult to rinse the inside of the bag, and it's difficult, with cold hands, to exhaust the gas to restow the bag as you swim in.

Although I hate to like Halcyon gear, I love their SMB. We own, I think, six different brands; for me, the Halcyon is the nicest. The broad cuff on the inflator is easy to seal around with numb lips. You can inflate from a hose if you wish. And the pull dump is easy to empty the bag, and can be taken off to rinse the interior. The only kvetch I have with the Halcyon bag is that the shock cord that is used to roll it up is very stiff and hard to pull with cold hands.

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Steding on July 13, 2009 at 7:34am

A good way to launch open bottomed or semi-closed bags is as follows:

Diver 1 holds the spool and the bag out in front of them. Enough line off the spool so knots are cleared from it.

Diver 2 inflates the bag with their reg while facing diver 1. this allows both divers to work with the bag out in front of them and clear of any snagging hazards. Takes a bit of practice, of course, but certainly doable--even for a newer diver (I learned this around 40 dives or so, it helped that my teammate had his stuff pretty together).

Kristof Damen said:

I really thought there were no huge differences in smb's. Till one day as a junior instructor I let (one of my best students and one of I've never thought he would have problems) launch an open circuit smb on a 20 m / 65 ft platform in an adv eanx class. His primary second stage got stuck in the loop while inflating the buoy and he started an ascent that scared the wits out of me. Luckily there was a big chord near me I could grap (buoy that marked the platform) - and a second colleague instructor that could deflate his smb. Once we surfaced, a shivering got over me. Since then I'm a big closed circuit smb fan...

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Permalink Reply by Kristof Damen on July 14, 2009 at 10:36am

I truly agree! When I needed to inflate one in a team (had also the open smb), we did it like that. Pity that not all agencies think link that. Time for me to teach it the UTD way or with a closed one.

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Permalink Reply by Sheahan Mcculla on December 3, 2009 at 11:45am

I have not purchased one yet, It's hard to justify $80.00 for a practice SMB. I was trying to see if there was a in-between one. What do you guys think of this? I think it's made by Manta. 25lbs lift 4.2'

http://www.piranhadivemfg.com/products.html

Attachments:

SMB.jpg, 65 KB

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Permalink Reply by Maciej Arkuszewski on December 3, 2009 at 2:40pm

Hey Sheahan.

I would steer away from that one.

25lbs is a LOT of lift for an SMB to handle alone.
Pouch bag seems to be permanently attached. This increases likelihood of entanglement and being taken to the surface by 25lbs bag can have unpleasant implications. But you can cut pouch off I suppose.
I also wonder how much lead they put in it to make it stand upright. Since this bag is pretty big i have a feeling it may be in pounds not ounces. I don't think it solves anything, but for sure will create interesting buoyancy challenges.

I would also add recommendations for small DSS or Halcyon SMBs. Each has barely 6lbs of lift - this is much easier to manage underwater and is essential safety item I carry on every dive.

Hope that helps

Sheahan Mcculla said:

I have not purchased one yet, It's hard to justify $80.00 for a practice SMB. I was trying to see if there was a in-between one. What do you guys think of this? I think it's made by Manta. 25lbs lift 4.2'

http://www.piranhadivemfg.com/products.html