Buying DSMB and 'FORMAL' Training ???

[Davey Willo]

Mate... your always welcome, we all have varying levels of expertise so just jump right in and join us. :thumb:

[PaulC]

No absolutely not guys. You learn on the job and I think I can say from my experience that even the most experienced YD divers will not give you a hard time for being a bit new at something: just mention it and all allowances will be made! Interestingly there was recently a thread on DiverNet about this subject, when I made the confession that I learned DSMB deployment in Thailand - where they consider reels aren't for real men and 5m of paracord will do! (not good if you're below 5m...not good...) It's one where practice makes perfect and I'm by no means perfect yet. So comne on down, bring your reels and we'll shoot bags.

[Gavin Yates]

Simon,

Ditto to Paul above ... the only way to learn is practice ... I went to a quarry where a course was being taught and me and my buddy kept on putting up blobs and pulling the buggers down for 20 minutes but until you do it for real it's never the same.

I certainly would come and watch and assist if necessary. Good attitude can be as important as perfect skills sometimes.

[Jay]

</span>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Quote: from Simon Leach on 6:16 pm on Sep. 3, 2002
Still one more question - do we need the skills off-pat before we can dive with you guys? Truthful answers okay - we're big boys and will understand.  S &amp; J.

<span =''>
Absolutely not - there is no substitute for experience and that can only be gained by actually diving. You are more than welcome to come on any of our dives. We are still tending to arrange the easier, shallower kind of UK dives because they suit everyone (and also are more interesting anyway).

Regards

[parahandy]

Dave's summed up the points pretty well.
Practice the skills in shallow water.
If you have got your bouyancy sorted out and kit configured right shouldn't be to much of a problem.
I'd choose a reel thats less likly to snag the line some of the more decorative &quot;fancy&quot; ones can be prone to foul ups.
The stainless steel dive rite type ones are excellent but pretty pricey, simplicity seems to be the key here.

At the risk of stating the obvious,if youre ever using an inflated SMB and line don't be tempted to clip it to your kit. Read a nasty Diving incident Report of a poor guy being dragged up by a boat tangled in the line.:shocked:

[Dominic]

</span>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Diverging slightly - but for you guys who use the Buddy dSMB and say you carry two, how do you carry two?  I find just one is a pain in the proverbial coz they ain't exactly the smallest things when rolled.

<span =''>

I personally only carry one, with a normal manual inflator as the second.
But even though I use the larger bottle on mine, I can't say I find it to be THAT awkwardly big.
Are you using the DIN or A-clamp version? I found that the A-clamp was horribly bulky compared to the DIN version - if you're on A-clamps, you might want to consider switching to DIN.
It's not too tough to do, as AP Valves are very good at selling replacement parts and exchanging bottles.

[MATTBIN]

One minor question Simon, your son at 14 should not be below 18/20 mtrs and I am very concerned about your dive guide letting you go to the surface whilst he carried on.
I have a 15 yr old and he has just passed his AOW so he's about the same as Josh (he also has 20 dives) and although he can now do 30m (in theory - not yet in the UK though) I wouldnt have been happy. We too trained in warm waters and dont have smb skills as yet, its something I am looking into as is UK diving. My BSAC DO was very insistant that my son went no lower than 15m when he was 15, please ask your DO about the physiological situation with your son as there are risks to development using compressed air to young bones. Matt

[Lou]

Hi Dom,

I was actually talking abou the manual inflate! &nbsp;Rolled up it is about (using hands to imagine/gauge size....)a 9&quot;x4&quot; dia cylinder, with the black webbing adding to that if you hang it by that. &nbsp;Hence it hangs halfway down my thigh and is not exactly streamlined. &nbsp;It is easy-ish to get off there though.

What do you do with either of yours? &nbsp;One of my pocket (which ain't great) holds my torch on a lanyard and I think the dSMB is too bulky to really be feasible in there. &nbsp;Am I packing it wrong or something?

Cheers

Lou

[Dominic]

Ah, right. With you.
Firstly, I tuck the webbing loop out of the way: as you noted it gives far too much slack. The only thing I dislike on Buudy SMBs is this loop.
I attach the clip to the velcroed strap that keeps the dSMB rolled up. On my manaual dSMB, there's a metal loop on this strap, but on the Buddy, you just have to attach to the strap itself.
The self-inflator I have clipped to my left hip D-ring, where it's accesible but out of the way.
The manual backup I keep in my drysuit cargo pocket.
I did actually have a problem with getting it into the pocket when I first got it, as it was just slightly too big. I've found that the best way to cut down on bulk is to NOT roll the dSMB up.
Instead, fold it up, concertina style. Instead of an annoying bulky roll, this gives a nice flat rectangle that is a lot more manageable. It also means that when you undo the velcro, it doesn't need unrolling, it just opens up by itself.
If I were to add a third (A yellow emergency one) I'd probably add a pocket to my wing backplate and put it in there. That's not really feasible with a stab jacket usually though.
Something you could try is a pocket threaded onto your cylinder camband, BCD waist strap or even weight belt - there's plenty of pockets around that can thread onto a 2&quot; bit of webbing. Some dive shops sell them, so do most outdoor and camping shops.
Personally, I swear by thigh-mounted suit pockets. Never got on with BCD pockets.
All else failing, get some bungee cord and mount it on your torch

[Lou]

Ok, so I need to do some mods then. &nbsp;My (AP Valves - I think) dSMB has a stupid press stud to keep it rolled up and hence nowhere to attach to D-ring apart from webbing loop. &nbsp;I guess a bit of sewing might be in order. &nbsp;Because of the popper I can't even vary how tightly I roll the dSMB!

Cheers Dom, I will get it out tonight and have a tinker...