DSMB advise required

[Simon A]

As a relatively new diver I am looking to by my first Blob.
Is there any reason that I shouldn't go straight for a Halcyon closed circuit DSMB?
Also will the closed circuit fitting be compatable with my (edit) Drysuit(end edit) low pressure inflator fitting? or will I need to replace the connector on the hose and the nipple on the (edit) drysuit inflator (end edit) for it to be compatable?
And finaly what length of DSMB do people tend to use for Uk conditions, 3 foot? 4.5 foot? or the 6foot DSMB?

Thanks for your help
Simon A

====edit====
My mistake, of course it would be the drysuit feed, so I've edited it. I've only had the drysuit for 3 hours so I didnt think about it.
The Question Still stands though.
===end edit===

[Dominic]

BCD? Do you not use a drysuit?

I wouldn't want to try using a BCD direct feed, myself.. it's routing isn't ideal for SMB filling.

At a guess, I think my SMBs are in the 4.5 foot catergory..

[Fraser]

Only reason I can think of to not go for the fully closed type is if you plan to do any wetsuit diving... if all your diving is in a drysuit it should be fine.

As for the connectors, no idea as I don't have one, I think other guys on this board might be able to help (WL??).

I plan to get one myself as it'll be easier to inflate on the surface and tow around Horsea!

HTH,

Fraser.

EDIT: Just noticed you were asking about using your BC inflator... you do not want to disconnect your primary source of buoyancy. Use your drysuit LPI.

[Dominic]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I plan to get one myself as it'll be easier to inflate on the surface and tow around Horsea!

(Sorry for hijacking your thread Simon!)
If you're after a non-delayed SMB, you might want to consider the torpedo-style sold by some freediving suppliers - apparently they're easier to tow.

Haven't tried them myself tho.. I use my stroke's crack-bottle dSMB to do an inflate on the surface

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]If you're after a non-delayed SMB, you might want to consider the torpedo-style sold by some freediving suppliers - apparently they're easier to tow.

Cheers but I rarely have need of a dedicated SMB (aside from said pootles around Horsea).

Plus, I wouldn't wish to get mistaken for Picasso



Fraser.

[Simon A]

Thanks for the replies,
Doh! it would be the Drysuit feed! (the drysuit only arrived 3 hours ago!)
Same Question: would the coupling that came with my Apeks drysuit inflator hose and inflator be compatable? or would I need to change the coupling and nipple for it to work?

Cheers
Simon A

[MATTBIN]

Simon
does this mean you have to disconnect the d/s or wing (whichever it is   ) and connect to the dsmb to inflate?

Matt

[Noel Johnson]

Matt,

It certainly looked like that in the recently posted video - I may be wrong though.

Noel

[wreckweasel]

yes, you normally inflate using your drysuit feed (although you could use your wing feed in a pinch).

Normally, you need to swap the nipple on your drysuit feed and swap the hose for a normal LPI hose.

I live in the dream that one day all drysuits would come off the shelf with compatible fittings.

<edit> whilst the halcyon SMB is ok, I dont beleive you can orally inflate it if you want to....</edit>

/Z

[Digger]

<font color='#000080'>Personally I'd avoid disconnecting things like drysuit inflators when firing SMBs. If it's that much of an issue, get a blowgun. They do the same thing, but you don't risk loss of buoyancy. Or just get another inflator hose from me, and add that to your rig.

This may or may not be DIR, but I think is sensible advice unless you're sat on the bottom, which you can't always guarantee, and often isn't sensible (ie silty bottom etc)

Personally I either use a reg or exhaled air. Depends if anyone's watching.