Dumb Aussie questions about DSMB with self inflate

[diverdman]

Hi these DSMB with self inflate bottles are not common in Australia. My wife likes the idea and as I am ordering a couple of Kent reels thought I would grab a couple of DSMBs as well.
SO???????
Closed circuit- but what do you do if the little canister is empty or faulty.
If they are a one use item how do you test the bottle before a dive.

What happens if they start inflating by themselves in your pocket. I assume that the OPV is near the inflator and rolled up it will just vent.

Do they come with a oral inflate as well as bottle so if bottle fails you can still use it.

Open circuit-pro and cons bar the open curcuit can tip and empty and sink???
Guess open circuit is backup if bottle fails.

Sorry about my terminology as the idea is not common in Australia.
What do you the majority of user of these products recomend
Cheerio Damien

[Alun]

Two main types. One with mini CO2 cartridges, and one with a 0.1 litre din/a-clamp cylinder (your choice) that you fill from your normal scuba cylinder before the dive (not after your last one to "save gas")

Both as far as I know can be filled the normal way, and are self sealing.
There is a thread about these that I'll post the address for when I've found it.

Edit: Don't need to post the address, it's the sticky at the top of this section. Buddy DSMBi/AutoBlob/Blow&Go all the same thing.

Don't have one myself cos I'm a tight git with the small things, wish I was the same with the large and shiny things...

[diverdman]

Thanks I have read the thread but it is mainly about filling the bottle or deploying it. My questions are mainly pertinant to the one use I assume co2 cartridge type. And the other issues I percieve with the system within my limited knowledge.
I think the one you are referring to is a buddy DSMB with a great big bottle that hangs of the side of it. No good for O/S travel for me or streamlining kit. I already carry 2 DSMB but like the idea of a little one that hooks on the side of the Kent reel.
Cheerio

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by diverdman

Thanks I have read the thread but it is mainly about filling the bottle or deploying it. My questions are mainly pertinant to the one use I assume co2 cartridge type. And the other issues I percieve with the system within my limited knowledge.
I think the one you are referring to is a buddy DSMB with a great big bottle that hangs of the side of it. No good for O/S travel for me or streamlining kit. I already carry 2 DSMB but like the idea of a little one that hooks on the side of the Kent reel.
Cheerio

My full size back up C02 bottle SMB can be inflated in the normal way. My mini yellow back up emergancy SMB will only inflate via the Co2 bottle.

I wouldent use either as a general perpos SMB as its silly payion out for new C02 bottles every dive.

The CO2 bottle ones should be striped between every dive to ensure the end has not coroded through if the co2 cylinder is unused. I have had my yellow one about three years on the same CO2 cylinder no problem.

The Mini crack bottle SMB is by far the best option. They come with tiny crack bottle cylinders and I mount my one on the reel. The bulk issue is way smaller than the issue of conveniance and safety in use. If the bottle is empty (why?) you can manualy fille them. If the bottle leaks during the dive the OPV just vents the gas.

This would be my prefered choice.Personaly I dont think they are big enough to worry about.






ATB

Mark Chase

[diverdman]

Hi Mark thanks for the pics.
What brand is the mini crack bottle unit, can I get it from Kent ttoling.
Will it have enough gas to get going from 90 metres.
Cheerio

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by diverdman

Hi Mark thanks for the pics.
What brand is the mini crack bottle unit, can I get it from Kent ttoling.
Will it have enough gas to get going from 90 metres.
Cheerio

Its an AP Valves Buddy crack bottle SMB. You could ask them at KT to help you out they are prety nice chaps over there.

You bag off from 90???

I very much doubt the CO2 ones have enough gas for that but I am prety sure the AP crack bottle one will. That said I have never tried it. 65 is the deepest I have ever bagged off and I wont be doing that again The drag on all that line was incredable. If it wont move you could stick a bit more in manualy I supose. They come in 0.1ltr and 0.2ltr bottles so at 230 bar thats 23ltrs or 46ltrs of gas dependend on your choice.

Any how theres only 80m of line on my SMB reel

http://www.apvalves.com/smbci.html

ATB

Mark Chase

[diverdman]

No I dont shoot from that depth hopefully will never have to, but if I lose the shot at that depth I will be, depending on the current
Hopefully I will have some wreck to tie off to and cut the reel away if I have time. The Kent reels I am getting will have 150m of line.
The wreck I am coming to do in the UK is at 87 metres.
I dont fancy winding in that much line, 50 metres on a smaller diameter reel is a real pain.
Cheers for the info.
And yes I have found John Perrin to be very helpfull.

[Simon A]

The crack bottle smb's are buddy. If you want to give yourself a real scare get a price off Barry at Southern cross divers in Sydney, he distributes them in Australia. Then get one when you are in the UK, depending on supplier they are anything fron £65 t0 £80.

HTH
Simon A

[String]

Originally Posted by diverdman

Closed circuit- but what do you do if the little canister is empty or faulty.
If they are a one use item how do you test the bottle before a dive.

The Buddy self inflator can be filled normally like any other bag if the cylinder is empty (or more commonly, you forget to fill it...). If travelling you can take the cylinder off and pretend its a normal DSMB too.

What happens if they start inflating by themselves in your pocket. I assume that the OPV is near the inflator and rolled up it will just vent.

I was worried about this so tested in the pool and shallow depths. If its properly rolled up and the velcro or other strap properly tightened then its what you said, there is only a very small airspace and it all comes out of the dump valve rather than filling the bag. It didnt even fill enough to alter my buoyancy. I presume if its not rolled as well or tightly it maybe different but i satisfied myself at least that it isnt going to send me up like a lifting bag by accident. Again, this is the buddy self inflator.

Do they come with a oral inflate as well as bottle so if bottle fails you can still use it.

Not on the buddy but see above.