Deploying a Safety Sausage w/ a Reel - Tips?

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by mm2002

According to PADI, I think that would be scream like hell........while making the ahhhhhh sound.

...as in "AHHHHHH SHHHHHIIIIII....!"

[Splitlip]

Another tip. Always look up first before you send it. Otherwise you may have another diver screaming AHHHHH SHHHHIIIIITTTT

Edit: Got past the filters

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

Another tip. Always look up first before you send it. Otherwise you may have another diver screaming AHHHHH SHHHHIIIIITTTT

Edit: Got past the filters

OK, Tim gets an extra 10 points for getting the word **** past the filters. Nice work bro!
5 points to compudude for the phrase "AHHHHHH SHHHHHIIIIII....!" I loved that!

[Splitlip]

OK.
So today I had about 800# left in one of my bottles. My buddy and I went over to the BHB (shore dive) to play with our sausages.
I picked up a Manta reel (normally I am a spool guy). The Manta is less likely to birdnest because even when it is released there is tension on the spool.
My last few dives have been with my 5ft primary and necklaced secondary and a 12-13" Halcyon corrugated hose on my wing. So dumping air into an open bottom bag from my inflator was not comfortable.
Anyway, I added a 26"? inflator hose to my 1st stage with a dive alert on the end and clipped it off by my reel on my right hip. We finned out to about 18 to 20 ft of water and hung out.
When I hit 500psi, I pulled out my 1 meter closed circuit Halcyon tube and very easily inflated the bag with the Dive Alert inflator on the end of the hose.
Was briefly concerned because of the tug on the reel. Like I said there is a built in drag so it does not free spool.
But the bag went and all was good. I only carry 2 # on my belt which I thought about loosing, but I think I need every bit of it with a near empty cylinder shooting with this reel. So it will stay.
Mark, if you are reading this, my buddy was using the same marker you have. It is quite adequate for most Palm Beach Diving if you shoot fairly close to the boat. I watched it from the surface pop up like a polaris missle and easily put more than 3 ft of fat material up there. (he inflates from his AirII)
I have a bigger OMS bag for diving further north. I am going to replace that shortly with a larger Halcyon closed circuit bag. Using the QD inflator and Manta reel was very slick. The extra hose and extra weight not a big deal.

Edit: note: I shortend my necklace and am a liitle more able to deal with the 5ft hose in that location. Only thing with the shortened necklace is my secondary tugs. I have ordered a Miflex hose which based on the reports here should solve that issue. Thanks to all for their input.
__________________

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

My buddy and I went over to the BHB (shore dive) to play with our sausages.

Once I got past that statement, I enjoyed the rest of your post!

I played with my sausage yesterday too. My reel has a drag also, and it does tug at you a bit. What amazes me is how fast those things shoot to the surface! The reel has to be under water to keep from overheating the bearings! I did as you had recommended, and got negative first, then added a small amount of air just to open the bag a little. Then, with a death grip on the reel, and my index finger in the bag loop, I filled the bag until it started to pull me up, and let go. As soon as it hit the surface, the line went slack, so a couple of turns of the reel got it nice and snug. To me, the coolest part is being able to "reel" yourself up to the 15 ft stop, and just hang from the bag. On the way up, and at the stop, the waves bob you up and down in the water, and that's kind of a weird feeling. I can see areas where it takes a little practice to be slick with it, but I really didn't find anything real difficult. The main thing is keeping an eye on the line routing so it doesn't tangle on your reel, arm, etc.

[Splitlip]

LOL

Yup, the reeling yourself up is cool. And then the "hang". That's why guys like bags and tubes for deco. Easy to maintain your depth.

[mm2002]

As soon as I get to FL, we'll have to hook up and go out and play with our sausages! Nice warm sunny day, clear water, you and me, and our sausages! I can't wait!

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by mm2002

As soon as I get to FL, we'll have to hook up and go out and play with our sausages! Nice warm sunny day, clear water, you and me, and our sausages! I can't wait!

Just no bumping sausages. That is a no-no.

[mm2002]

I was thinking more like a test to see who has the best sausage. We both deploy our sausages at the same time, and see who gets seen first. That'll tell us if size really matters, or if color matters more.

[Splitlip]

lol
you're on