Non-Inflateable SMB's

[dammyla]

Hi there

I am basiaclly a glutton for punishment and do not wish to use a DSMB. Instead, i want to drag mine around so that it is visible for the entire dive.

There will be no wreck diving involved so snags shouldnt be a problem. Conditions will usually be in around a 2m swell so whatever i get needs to be prominent and easy to spot. Ideally id like it to have an A-flag on top as well.

However, i am unable to find a decent one anywhere! I have found a few that you blow up on the suface but these are tiny (about the size of a football including flag) and would be very difficult to keep track of in anything but picture perfect conditions. I am also reluctant to use one of the readily available DSMB's and just keep it inflated for the entire dive.

I know they exist because i trained with some that were essentially fishing boat buoys with A-flags attached but was wondering if anyone knew of any that were for sale before i go down the route of making my own?

Thanks in advance guys and gals!

[Rob Dobson]

You mean something like this???

http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDe...?StockID=72114

[mixdiver]

Why don't you want to use a 'normal' SMB? They are long (usually) and have flaps at the bottom to prevent air escaping much easier to follow from a boat than a round buoy IMHO. Apart from that you must be new to diving as most people find them a pain in the ar8e after their first dive with one and are happy to deploy them before an acent- if you are worried about this then get some training on how to use one.
If however you are worried about getting lost get yourself an EPERB when you are in a situation of being lost at sea the RLNI will be able to find you very rapidly with one

Mixdiver

[Finless]

I agree, get a normal big DSMB and inflate it before you dive.

The dedicated SMBs are more for pond diving (IMO).

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by dammyla

Hi there

I am basiaclly a glutton for punishment and do not wish to use a DSMB. Instead, i want to drag mine around so that it is visible for the entire dive.

There will be no wreck diving involved so snags shouldnt be a problem. Conditions will usually be in around a 2m swell so whatever i get needs to be prominent and easy to spot. Ideally id like it to have an A-flag on top as well.

However, i am unable to find a decent one anywhere! I have found a few that you blow up on the suface but these are tiny (about the size of a football including flag) and would be very difficult to keep track of in anything but picture perfect conditions. I am also reluctant to use one of the readily available DSMB's and just keep it inflated for the entire dive.

I know they exist because i trained with some that were essentially fishing boat buoys with A-flags attached but was wondering if anyone knew of any that were for sale before i go down the route of making my own?

Thanks in advance guys and gals!

The DSMB is not the correct tool for the job anyway. I agree the small blowup things are not good.

I use a 20 litre container that once contained Sunflower oil. It is bright yellow and I have drawn an A flag on it as well as attaching an A Flag with tape. It can be seen from miles away. I use that when an SMB is required especially on Drift dives.

I also use it as a trailing buoy when shoting wrecks. It has a carring handle that is very easy to attach a Caribener on to.

You can get 25 litre containers at Camping Shops that are used for carrying water. You may be able to get a cast of sofnoline container that will do the job. Dont thing the colours are that good but can be used.

Gary

[Finless]

Originally Posted by GaryC

The DSMB is not the correct tool for the job anyway. I agree the small blowup things are not good.

I use a 20 litre container that once contained Sunflower oil. It is bright yellow and I have drawn an A flag on it as well as attaching an A Flag with tape. It can be seen from miles away. I use that when an SMB is required especially on Drift dives.

I also use it as a trailing buoy when shoting wrecks. It has a carring handle that is very easy to attach a Caribener on to.

You can get 25 litre containers at Camping Shops that are used for carrying water. You may be able to get a cast of sofnoline container that will do the job. Dont thing the colours are that good but can be used.

Gary

I don't do that type of shore diving BUT a decent size DSMB with a weight on the bottom is more than sufficient?

So long as the diver is not in the surf I don't really see there is any problem?

[edit]I do like your suggestion BUT there is nothing wrong with .................

[dammyla]

Originally Posted by Rob Dobson

You mean something like this???

http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDe...?StockID=72114

Yes, but all others i have seen like that are only about a foot tall and consequently very difficult to spot. Please let me know if this is taller though and i'll consider it

Originally Posted by mixdiver

Why don't you want to use a 'normal' SMB? They are long (usually) and have flaps at the bottom to prevent air escaping much easier to follow from a boat than a round buoy IMHO. Apart from that you must be new to diving as most people find them a pain in the ar8e after their first dive with one and are happy to deploy them before an acent- if you are worried about this then get some training on how to use one.
If however you are worried about getting lost get yourself an EPERB when you are in a situation of being lost at sea the RLNI will be able to find you very rapidly with one

Mixdiver

As noted, DSMB's arent really the right tool for the job. I want to be able to have a flag flying from it so that it is obvious that i am diving and not just another floaty blob in the water. Where i dive there are lots of these that arent dive realted and generally get ignored.
I have no problems at all dragging it around with me. I did train with one during my part IV (as mentioned) but over around 100 dives ive never had a problem and am very used to it. I would also be happy to deploy a delayed SMB but dont really want too.

Originally Posted by GaryC

The DSMB is not the correct tool for the job anyway. I agree the small blowup things are not good.

I use a 20 litre container that once contained Sunflower oil. It is bright yellow and I have drawn an A flag on it as well as attaching an A Flag with tape. It can be seen from miles away. I use that when an SMB is required especially on Drift dives.

I also use it as a trailing buoy when shoting wrecks. It has a carring handle that is very easy to attach a Caribener on to.

You can get 25 litre containers at Camping Shops that are used for carrying water. You may be able to get a cast of sofnoline container that will do the job. Dont thing the colours are that good but can be used.

Gary

Thanks for the construction tip. I think i will call it plan 'B'
As mentioed, im quite lazy and dont want to have the hassle of constructing my own if i can just buy one.

[John_C]

Originally Posted by dammyla

Hi there

I am basiaclly a glutton for punishment and do not wish to use a DSMB. Instead, i want to drag mine around so that it is visible for the entire dive.

There will be no wreck diving involved so snags shouldnt be a problem. Conditions will usually be in around a 2m swell so whatever i get needs to be prominent and easy to spot. Ideally id like it to have an A-flag on top as well.

However, i am unable to find a decent one anywhere! I have found a few that you blow up on the suface but these are tiny (about the size of a football including flag) and would be very difficult to keep track of in anything but picture perfect conditions. I am also reluctant to use one of the readily available DSMB's and just keep it inflated for the entire dive.

I know they exist because i trained with some that were essentially fishing boat buoys with A-flags attached but was wondering if anyone knew of any that were for sale before i go down the route of making my own?

Thanks in advance guys and gals!

Try your local Lidl store, they were selling SMB (with flag) about two weeks ago for £1.99. Yes I know that sounds very cheap, but there made of a heavey duty plastic inner bladder and a canvass stiched outer brightly coloured (yellow and Red) and are about the size of a beach ball. The come with its own line (about 10m long and 5mm thick) but I would ditch that and use a more drag resistant reel line.

[Woz]

Someone on here uses an 8 foot inflatable penis. Years ago I used to use a 6 foot long inflatable shark until a seal popped it off the Farnes, the little bugger.

And the DIR lot, as an attempt at showing they are not a bunch of dry, boring b@stards, launched a 20 foot inflatable snowman from the bottom of Stoney just after christmas. Like they did the year before. And probably the year before that. Then went to the pub to spend hours showing each other which end of a Goodman handle to tie a boltsnap to. Then another hour showing each other the knot.

Meeeeow

[dammyla]

Originally Posted by John_C

Try your local Lidl store.

Ah yes, A good idea but there are none that i can get to without a rather expensive flight.

I live on Guernsey in the Channel Islands and so any solution must be either really common (as we have a limited range of shops over here) or be sourced from the internet.