Idiots guide to SMBs?

[Andyman]

Hi,

I've been searching around but I'm afraid I couldn't find anything relevant. I've never used an SMB before, probably because I've always dived in tropical water with excellent visibility. However I'm hoping to get into more UK diving this summer and think it would be sensible to use one. What I'd like is an idiots guide to using an SMB. When to use it, when not to use it, how to inflate, how to spool in etc. Can you guys offer any advise?

Many thanks,
Andy.

[chas49]

Originally Posted by Andyman

....What I'd like is an idiots guide to using an SMB.

You've asked the right person then

I'm sure you'll get plenty of helpful advice. Best thing to do would be to find someone experienced to show you, and help you practice though - in a nice calm safe environment (not the pool though). As much as many don't like the idea, a nice inland site might be a good place for a first practice.

Get a decent reel (not a crappy cheap Beaver one). And either a self-sealing DSMB (inflate from octo, gun, exhaust bubbles), or one with a crack bottle....

Get a demo, and practice slowly and often....

[Lazlo]

Good thread here which you may find useful.

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by chas49

You've asked the right person then

I'm sure you'll get plenty of helpful advice. Best thing to do would be to find someone experienced to show you, and help you practice though - in a nice calm safe environment (not the pool though). As much as many don't like the idea, a nice inland site might be a good place for a first practice.

Get a decent reel (not a crappy cheap Beaver one). And either a self-sealing DSMB (inflate from octo, gun, exhaust bubbles), or one with a crack bottle....

Get a demo, and practice slowly and often....

I agree with this, best way is definitely to practise it before heading out to the sea... the missus and I are heading to an inland site (probably vobster) towards the end of April for this very practise... *(and before Airassisted or Lou gets on here and put in that I need it.... The Koenig was a long time ago alright!!!!) So if you want to come along drop me a pm.

Mark

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Andyman

I've been searching around but I'm afraid I couldn't find anything relevant. I've never used an SMB before, probably because I've always dived in tropical water with excellent visibility. However I'm hoping to get into more UK diving this summer and think it would be sensible to use one. What I'd like is an idiots guide to using an SMB. When to use it, when not to use it, how to inflate, how to spool in etc. Can you guys offer any advise?

Hi Andy,

I would say that you definitely need to have a practice somewhere safe beforehand. However, if you have never dived in the UK before, then I would encourage you to get some training in and make sure your first dive in UK waters is with an experienced UK divers. There are several other differences between diving in tropical waters and diving abroad, and great though t'internet is, there's no substitute for proper training.

There are a couple of ways of doing this. PADI recommend that you do a local orientation with a local instructor, or you could do what I did which was join a local BSAC club. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages, but that's a whole new thread and a can of worms.

Janos
(PADI AOW, and BSAC AD)

[Andyman]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

I agree with this, best way is definitely to practise it before heading out to the sea... the missus and I are heading to an inland site (probably vobster) towards the end of April for this very practise... *(and before Airassisted or Lou gets on here and put in that I need it.... The Koenig was a long time ago alright!!!!) So if you want to come along drop me a pm.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thats a very kind offer. I might be up for that depending on the date. I'm starting my EFR & Rescue Diver course just after Easter so weekends might be a little busy towards the end of April. Please let me know though and hopefully I'll be around.

Where's vobster? Is it local?

Many thanks.
Andy.

[Finless]

Try http://ss829.fusionbot.com/cgi-bin/s...=54345513&ct=0 which is the results page on Divernet (Diver magazine's web site) after searching for DSMB. The first result is a review of reels and spools. Lower down is ........... I'm sure you'll get the idea.

Also, search on YD for DSMBs and you'll also get loads of info.

Personally I go for a big ratchet reel and a DSMB with its own inflator bottle - before use they are bungied together and clipped off on my cylinder D ring.

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by Finless

Personally I go for a big ratchet reel and a DSMB with its own inflator bottle - before use they are bungied together and clipped of on my cylinder D ring.

That's your DIR invite out of the window then I doubt if there is a single word in there they would agree with!!!!!

Matt

[Finless]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

That's your DIR invite out of the window then I doubt if there is a single word in there they would agree with!!!!!

Matt

Oh FI! AND after all those nice things I said about Richard Lundgren (GUE diver who did a Baltic wrecks talk at LIDS). Well, my Mum still likes me!

[Finless]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

That's your DIR invite out of the window then I doubt if there is a single word in there they would agree with!!!!!

Matt

Well I've never tried one and I have no intention of ever trying one so I am speaking with complete authority on this BUT there is no way in this world that I would deploy a DSMB from 40 mtrs in the Channel using a spool when the current is starting to run. Call me cowardly BUT I like my DSMB up on the surface BEFORE I part company with the wreck - ESP if/when diving solo.