SMB / Safety Sausage

[Dash Riprock]

Im looking to buy another SMB, one that I can shoot from depth as a safety stop hang.

My first SMB, is the See-Me Safety Tube bought from ScubaToys. Im sure it could be used for what i intend, but it has oral inflate only, and no overpressure relief. Id rather not remove my regulator from my mouth, Id prefer to inflate by purging my Octo+.

The other two SMBs are the See-Me with "dump" valve and the Self-Sealing See-Me.

My questions are:

Is a dump valve always the same as an overpressure valve?

The Self Sealing bag says it wont deflate at the surface. Does this mean the "See-Me w/ Dump valve" will upon surfacing? If that is true, then why sell it? If the bag has a dump/overpressure valve, then it seems it is geared towards underwater deployment, but if it will instantly deflate at surface, it seems like it has lost its purpose.

Finally, why O why are these things so expensive? $90 for a vinyl tube with plastic spring loaded valve and a clip...??

Thanks for your replies

[DougNR]

Originally Posted by Dash Riprock

My questions are:

Is a dump valve always the same as an overpressure valve?

The Self Sealing bag says it wont deflate at the surface. Does this mean the "See-Me w/ Dump valve" will upon surfacing? If that is true, then why sell it? If the bag has a dump/overpressure valve, then it seems it is geared towards underwater deployment, but if it will instantly deflate at surface, it seems like it has lost its purpose.

Finally, why O why are these things so expensive? $90 for a vinyl tube with plastic spring loaded valve and a clip...??

Thanks for your replies

A dump valve wouldn't necessarily be an OP valve, but for this conversation I believe it is.

Neither style you are looking at will deflate upon hitting the surface.

You're right. These are a bit overpriced IMO for what you get. A month or so ago DAN was selling their SMB for about $60 on special - usual price $90. It's a nice marker that comes with all the bells and whistles - Chem light, signal mirror, whistle. It has an inflation valve you can use to fill from your lp BC hose AND the ability to fill by purging a reg underneth, and the op valve. Good quality, but it rolls up a bit large (again IMO) but I think it's a 7 foot SMB.

Good luck.

[skdvr]

If you go Here about midway down the page are the SMB and lift bag. I bought one of each and really like them. I agree that the prices of these things is pretty crazy but these are not to bad.

Phil

[Dash Riprock]

Originally Posted by DougNR

Neither style you are looking at will deflate upon hitting the surface.

Then what is the purpose of the "self-sealing" feature? And why does it inflate the price so much?

[Dash Riprock]

Originally Posted by skdvr

If you go Here about midway down the page are the SMB and lift bag. I bought one of each and really like them. I agree that the prices of these things is pretty crazy but these are not to bad.

Phil

I looked at those, my only problem is how big they are. 9" long when rolled up ??!!??

Id have to tow a trailer....

[skdvr]

Originally Posted by Dash Riprock

I looked at those, my only problem is how big they are. 9" long when rolled up ??!!??

Id have to tow a trailer....

They are 7ft tall when they are inflated and they are not to bad when they are rolled up. If you do not want something that tall use the lift bag. It works well as a surface signal that you can shoot from depth... That is mainly what I use mine for.

Phil

[Dash Riprock]

Originally Posted by skdvr

They are 7ft tall when they are inflated and they are not to bad when they are rolled up. If you do not want something that tall use the lift bag. It works well as a surface signal that you can shoot from depth... That is mainly what I use mine for.

Phil

Its not the deployed size, its the stowed size. The roll will be 9 inches long (maybe I should say wide), I just dont have anywhere to put something like that.

The original See Me is 6 inches wide when rolled up and fits perfectly in my Zeagle Tank band pocket that came on my Stiletto.

[skdvr]

Oh, I see. I just clip mine to a D-Ring or to my BP. I keep the spool wrapped up in it and then it is ready to deploy when I need it. I have never used anything else so the size works for me...

Phil

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by skdvr

If you go Here about midway down the page are the SMB and lift bag. I bought one of each and really like them. I agree that the prices of these things is pretty crazy but these are not to bad.

Phil

Hi Phil:
Have you had the opportunity to compare it to a Carter 35# or a Dive Rite marker?
I ask, because I lost one of mine and need to replace it. Those 2 are the only ones I have seen that I know will fit in my storage sleeve and are sturdy enough for my liking.
In the link, it looks a lot like the Dive Rite and I was wondering if they might be the same OEM.
Thanks

[Centerius]

Originally Posted by Dash Riprock

Then what is the purpose of the "self-sealing" feature? And why does it inflate the price so much?

Quoting this because I didn't see an answering anywhere and I want to know, too.