Inflating blob from exhaust bubbles- marvellous

[MattS]

I have been using the reg exhaust technique for about 10 years. I tried a DSMBi but just did not get on with it.

Couple of points.
+ In a raging current face down tide and deploy while drifting off the bottom.
+ Lines and straps getting caught up almost always comes down to allowing slack in the line. Once the reel is tied/clipped on to the DSMB, drop it and use two hands for the DSMB. The weight of the reel will stop the line becoming slack.
+ Don't fill the DSMB to the point that it can drag you up. I use 2 1/2 breaths in my AP DSMB and that is sufficient to have the blob fully inflated from 15m but without having to rush the final deploy. I have a much smaller backup DSMB for use shallower than 15m. The total cost of both of these was still less the DSMBi sells for.
+ The technique takes practice, lots of constant practice and improvement.

I have talked to a few people that have been sent skyward by their blobs and when pressed they all admit to having spent scant attention on the skill. If you don't have the time or inclination to perfect and maintain the skill, go buy a DSMBi.

Whether a DSMBi is faster to deploy is very debateable. In the right conditions I am in the habit of preparing my reel about a minute before I am due to leave, finning gently up, deploying the blob and continueing up while the blob makes it's way to the surface. On a 30 to 50m dive this puts me close to my deep stop at around the same time I have to start reeling in. Please don't try it unless you are extremely confident/comfortable of what you are up to. Perhaps it is the level to aim for rather than start with. I don't quite have the hang of the single handed deploy...but I am working on it.

[Woz]

Fired it from the bottom of Stoney on Sunday using exhaust bubbles from my Jetstream. Piece of piss and worked a treat. Very very controlled, no probs with being dragged north by an over inflated blob and it was as stiff as a priest at a netball match at the surface.

[Padowan]

OK, I've posted this before but here's what I did on OC:

I used my wing for bouyancy with my twins, so there was plenty of air in this. When I wanted to deploy my blob (often midwater) I would use the wing inflate, and dump gas from the wing into the bag. Because all I have done here is moved gas from my wing to the blob, I don't sink, or rise and I can hold onto the blob for as long as I like - perhaps until my buddy had his ready to deploy in a raging current. When ready to deploy I let it go, off it goes, I start to sink, so I either add some air back into the wing, or slow the reel by grabbing it with my hand which gives you a nice steady pull upwards which after some practice you can use to your benefit to hold you where you are or to start your ascent whilst the bag is still on it's way up (this has the benefit of allowing any remaining gas in the wing to expand giving you back some of the bouyancy you lost). As a couple of side points, sometimes I would put half a breath into the bag at the start just to straighten it out, and secondly, if you concertina fold your SMB's then they unfurl MUCH quicker than if you roll them.

As I still put air into the wing of the YBOD (neoprene suit getting compressd and all that), I can continue to use this technique, and don't waste any of my precious diluent!

Admittedly it's more hastle than a crack bottle, but I can still have the thing away and be on my ascent in about 30 seconds MAX.

[JohnK]

So for those on twinsets - whats the difference in inflating from primary reg exhaust or necklaced secondary - both are right in your face.

Actually, I start with exhaust bubbles to get the thing moving, then dump air from BCD, then hang. Works nice for me.

[tom]

Originally Posted by kirky

So for those on twinsets - whats the difference in inflating from primary reg exhaust or necklaced secondary - both are right in your face.

That's if you were going to fill the blob from the necklaced secondary though. IMHO its easier and safer to switch to your secondary, then use your primary to inflate the blob held out nicely at arm's length.

(having said that, I've now got a crack bottle one AND I'm experimenting with using exhaust bubbles...)

[alross]

I was sending up dsmb from 15m at the weekend.

Got reel out, unrolled smb then tilted head and went to inflate dsmb. Only to notice 2nd stage floating past my eyes!!! Somehow must have accidently spat it out in the process, how very bizzare i thought.

Anyway stuck the reg back in my mouth and filled the blob, still not sure why it came out. Maybe hose got caught, maybe i wasnt paying attention????

Seriously considering getting a dSMBi now. That said i have used the exhaust method previously with no problems.

When i did my advanced course in oban they actually taught me a different method which involved taking the reg out my mouth then inflating blob with bubbles out mouth. I have never used this method since as i thought it was best to keep my primary in my mouth to reduce chance of freeflow.

[Woz]

I find that the exhaust bubbles thing is a PITA with my Apeks but easy peasy with my Jetstream.

[dave archer]

Originally Posted by alross

When i did my advanced course in oban they actually taught me a different method which involved taking the reg out my mouth then inflating blob with bubbles out mouth. I have never used this method since as i thought it was best to keep my primary in my mouth to reduce chance of freeflow.

Yes, I don't like the idea of inflating it without a reg in mouth - the last thing you want if your SMB deployment goes tits up is no air to breathe.

Especially if you're fighting to free a tangle, to or overcome your miserliness and let the damn £50 reel go up without you

Dave.