What does it say on your yellow DSMB?

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by Mark

Hi all,

thanks for the feedback. The British Diving Safety Group (link will download their pdf) advise that a yellow DSMB should have the word 'EMERGENCY' written on one side and the diver's name on the other. This is all very well but the word 'EMERGENCY' done vertically as in the picture would be about 75cm long and would no doubt be partially submerged when on the surface.

Cheers,

Mark.

That just about sums the group up

[Mark]

Hi Dave,

as a dive boat skipper what would expect/like to see on a yellow DSMB? I think it should say something to point out there is a problem, to rule out it being deployed by someone that just thinks yellow is a nicer colour than red etc.

Cheers,

Mark.

[gobfish1]

my alpine buddy has killed his ccr, and now has my bailout gas,
please send in my drop tank asap ,,, the fish

i never cock you my self ...

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by Mark

Hi Dave,

as a dive boat skipper what would expect/like to see on a yellow DSMB? I think it should say something to point out there is a problem, to rule out it being deployed by someone that just thinks yellow is a nicer colour than red etc.

Cheers,

Mark.

As a skipper, If someone plans on taking something into the water to inform the skipper of a problem then they should start asking a whole bunch of questions first. Because, basically as the diver you cannot take anything for granted

will someone else called mark be on the boat using a yellow smb as a normal smb?
will another dive boat turn up on site where their divers are not using the same protocals as your boat?
You expect a drop tank........did you bring one with you or do you expect the skipper to magic on out of thin air?
How do you want your drop tank deployed? did you bring it with the correct length rope and buoy?
Do you want someone to jump in the water and swim down to see how you are? - who? all the other divers could still be in the water?
Do you expect the skipper to call the MCA?

the list goes on and on

Basically if you have a emergency signal of any sort and to be honest I dont care what it is - provided

1) its a clear indication that something is wrong
2) it clearly identifies the diver
3) it cannot be confused with something someone else has deployed
4) it clearly states what you expect the skipper to do
5) and you have provided the skipper with the written instructions and the equipment to carry out your request
6) You have agreed the whole thing with the skipper

Without this I would say that when a yellow SMB hits the surface the skipper either thinks its just another diver using a yellow SMB of he call the MCA and tell them the he might have a problem because someone sent up a yellow SMB - then at least it will be more than just the skipper who is a little confused.

My comment about the BDSG is simply because I have been asking the all the training agencies for over 5 years to help resolve this problem.
There reply has always been that "they do not prescribe how people dive" and the BDSG is just the same.

Well thats daft. If PADI BSAC TDI IANTD SSI GUE all sat round that table and agreed a procedure for emergency signaling , then then could incorperate it into training. Professional instructors would be informed quartrley updates and BSAC thought the diving officers structure. Most shops have a PADI affiliation so the staff selling the stuff would find out. So if they did this now, everyone would know before next season. Unless the agencies "dictate" on this matter we will continue with long winded internet debate for the next 5 years as well.

The BDSG advice on Yellow SMB's does not address the problem at all. Their members are doing the training so the answer is simple - train them in a well thought out structured method of signaling an emergency.

/rant

regards

David

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by David Wallace

Well thats daft. If PADI BSAC TDI IANTD SSI GUE all sat round that table and agreed a procedure for emergency signaling , then then could incorperate it into training. Professional instructors would be informed quartrley updates and BSAC thought the diving officers structure. Most shops have a PADI affiliation so the staff selling the stuff would find out. So if they did this now, everyone would know before next season. Unless the agencies "dictate" on this matter we will continue with long winded internet debate for the next 5 years as well.

The BDSG advice on Yellow SMB's does not address the problem at all. Their members are doing the training so the answer is simple - train them in a well thought out structured method of signaling an emergency.

/rant

regards

David

I agree with your sentiments here, but the problem from my view is that we have a worldwide situation where AIUI the US has gone for one colouring system, the UK another and Buddy in their infinite wisdom have combined both To get a standard means that someone is going to have to change and en masse .... as we have seen with the M26 thing people are very resistant to that sort of thing

Mal

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

I agree with your sentiments here, but the problem from my view is that we have a worldwide situation where AIUI the US has gone for one colouring system, the UK another and Buddy in their infinite wisdom have combined both To get a standard means that someone is going to have to change and en masse .... as we have seen with the M26 thing people are very resistant to that sort of thing

Mal

Agreed, I think I was referring to a en masse answer although I dont agree the M26 thing is a good analogy.

cheers

[gobfish1]

never mind PADI BSAC TDI IANTD SSI GUE ,,

if your my skipper for the day you will be told red bag is ok
yellow bag is not ok ,, send in the gas ,,, and dont ask which one ,
just toss one in

m26 , it will never catch on

[finbar.taylor]

Originally Posted by gobfish1

never mind PADI BSAC TDI IANTD SSI GUE ,,

if your my skipper for the day you will be told red bag is ok
yellow bag is not ok ,, send in the gas ,,, and dont ask which one ,
just toss one in

m26 , it will never catch on

I trust you bought your own gas and your not relying on my drop tank?

or did you want my 80% on 40m of rope?

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by gobfish1

never mind PADI BSAC TDI IANTD SSI GUE ,,

if your my skipper for the day you will be told red bag is ok
yellow bag is not ok ,, send in the gas ,,, and dont ask which one ,
just toss one in

m26 , it will never catch on

Note to self...

I must not bite.....

now....

Which yellow bag?
What gas?
Oh dear... I just threw the only drop bottle on the boat at the guy who uses a yellow SMB for normal use....
Oh dear now your in trouble and I don't have anything left to chuck at you


get the point?

Another note to self.

Give up and go get some coffee

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by finbar.taylor

I trust you bought your own gas and your not relying on my drop tank?

or did you want my 80% on 40m of rope?

Morning Finbar

What a sensible post