DSMB advise required

[BrianG]

Simon,
I have never seen a DSMB where you connect a suit inflator hose to inflate. This does not seem to be a good idea, trying to disconnect the inflator while the the DSMB rises at the same time operating a reel is frought with problems. Certainly too complicated for me. I use an open unit which I inflate with a small air gun. A duck valve keeps the thing inflated at the surface. I do however think that the type with the integral air bottle as Dominic describes is the most foolproof and easiest to deploy.

Brian

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

I have a closed circuit smb and use it often. The main advantage is that you do not have to switch regs, unwrap the long hose and rewrap it. The other advantage is that you do not have to 'hold' the smb open whilst filling, which I think makes the task less fiddly. Remember to reconnect your drysuit though! They are quite easy to use with a little practice. I use the 4.5 ft.

The disadvantages are that you would have to leave your drysuit hose on your rig for wetsuit diving. They are expensive and a simple Buddy SMB does the job at a third of the price. Oral inflation is possible but very slow.

I see no real difference between disconnecting and reconnecting a drysuit hose and switching regs, or fannying around aiming exhaust bubbles (which I wouldn't do. Its just asking for a nasty incident). As for loss of buoyancy, surely you are neutral when undergoing this, or any other task. Thats just basics.

My advice though, is to try before you buy. You are quite welcome to have a go with mine or have a demo if we are ever in the same puddle.

Kindest Regards

Andy

[wreckweasel]

Every technique has its risks;

Reg inflation; catching the reg and getting yanked up, or freeflow.
Suit feed; The feed jamming and getting yanked up
Crack bottle; they do sometimes jam shut (lack of maintenance), and they're bulky.
Exhaust bubbles; catching the reg and getting yanked up

Like anything, you can train to minimise the risk, lets not over emphasis

The crack bottles are nice for speed, but to be honest, I go for exhaust bubbles. Its quick, easy... and balances your bouyancy against that of the bag.

Anyone wanna buy a crack bottle DSMB? :P


/Z

[Reeve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (zaksherlock @ Mar. 04 2004,18:40)]Like anything, you can train to minimise the risk, lets not over emphasis

The crack bottles are nice for speed, but to be honest, I go for exhaust bubbles. Its quick, easy... and balances your bouyancy against that of the bag.

<font color='#000F22'>The method that best suits me it the use of exhaust bubbles. I do have the Adv of one side port (jetstream) 2-3 puffs and it's ready to let go.

It does require practice to master mid water, and I have once had it caught my reg pulling it out of my mouth(won't make the same mistake twice). However once perfected it's easier that getting your buddy to assist you. Quick, easy, no fuss, limited movement (buoyancy) issues.

gareth

[tom]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (zaksherlock @ Mar. 04 2004,18:40)]Anyone wanna buy a crack bottle DSMB? :P

Well actually... PM me if you're serious and the blob hasn't got your name scrawled all over it


WRT to the Halcyon SMB, does the drysuit hose actually *connect* to it (which I think is what BrianG's talking about as being a bit risky)?

[And]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (tom @ Mar. 04 2004,18:51)]WRT to the Halcyon SMB, does the drysuit hose actually *connect* to it (which I think is what BrianG's talking about as being a bit risky)?

<font color='#000080'>Hi

No, it just has a nipple thing which you push the drysuit hose on and it lets in gas. It cannot stick.

Andy

[Bob Cooper]

I've tried all sorts, including the Halcyon closed SMB with the &quot;no-lok&quot; connector. &nbsp;I find the Halcyon SMB difficult to inflate, using the dry suit inflator. &nbsp;Main reason for this is that you need to keep the bag close to you when inflating and therefore you can't see where the reel and line is. &nbsp;Orally inflating it helps a bit (not with exhaust bubbles, just removing reg from mouth and blowing in it), but I've gone back to an ordinary buddy SMB, which can be inflated with a reg (long hose) or by exhaust bubbles (not my favourite method).

The good thing about the buddy SMB is that it can be inflated as a &quot;team effort&quot;. One holds the SMB and reel at arms length, whilst buddy inflates SMB at arms length. &nbsp;That way, any freeflow can be dealt with quickly (as a team). &nbsp;The trick is, not to blast it full of air, just bubble a little bit in the bag and then let it go.

Don't underestimate how difficult it is to launch on of these things. &nbsp;It's easy to get out of practice and foul things up.

Bob

[MATTBIN]

Personaly I dont like the idea of disconnecting my bouyancy control device feed, be it wing or d/s and then not being able because of frozen fingers to reconnect.
I use a buddy dsmb, find it easy, if I'm on a wreck I just tied it off, inflate, loose to surface and then untie. Mid water slightly more difficult. Worse happens and I manually inflate with occy or similar in small puffs rather than one huge go.

Rgds
Matt

[Mark]

<font color='#000080'>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Personaly I dont like the idea of disconnecting my bouyancy control device feed, be it wing or d/s and then not being able because of frozen fingers to reconnect.

You should consider getting better gloves if your hands get so cold you are unable to perform a simple task like that.


Regards,

Mark.

[UKPhil]

You could try a self-inflate model:
SMBCi
I've used one and it works fine, bit costly though (and not very DIR I suppose...)