Finger Spool

[awap]

Originally Posted by Gombessa

Is the spool neutral? What happens if you try to grab it and miss?

I think the spool will sink very slowly if you don't catch it. So there is little ugency in "catching" it.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by awap

I think the spool will sink very slowly if you don't catch it. So there is little ugency in "catching" it.

They do sink,, I just never suggest releasing a spool as you are deploying a bag or marker...if the line catches in the spools unwound line as it unreels 'up' it goes at a good clip,,,currents at stop depth or in the upper water column can also sweep the spool/marker bye-bye...I would always suggest using the finger hole. I will leave the dancing spool for those DIR training flicks.

As to the OP and heavy cold water gloves...my fingers and hands are small...I just recommended the large hole spool from persl. diving experience as it making usage SO much easier.

[awap]

[quote=texdiveguy;123816They do sink,, I just never suggest releasing a spool as you are deploying a bag or marker...if the line catches in the spools unwound line as it unreels 'up' it goes at a good clip,,,currents at stop depth or in the upper water column can also sweep the spool/marker bye-bye...I would always suggest using the finger hole. I will leave the dancing spool for those DIR training flicks.

As to the OP and heavy cold water gloves...my fingers and hands are small...I just recommended the large hole spool from persl. diving experience as it making usage SO much easier. [/QUOTE]


I thought about that and decided I'd rather risk losing the bag than try to hold it if the line jams. With a 50 lb bag, I'm looking to get 20 - 25 lb of bouyancy in it before I let it go from 30 ft. I'd rather lose the bag than risk that ride up. I do rewind the spool carefully after each use. So far, no problem.

But I'm sure you could compromise and hold it to give light jams a chance to come loose and still let it go before a real snarl drags you up. I'm not sure if that could creat more problems than it solves or not.

I also tried weighted spools with 40 to 50 ft of line on them that I would let go to the bottom before I deployed the bag. Decided it just was not worth the trouble.

[texdiveguy]

[quote=awap;123827]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy;123816They do sink,, I just never suggest releasing a spool as you are deploying a bag or marker...if the line catches in the spools unwound line as it unreels 'up' it goes at a good clip,,,currents at stop depth or in the upper water column can also sweep the spool/marker bye-bye...I would always suggest using the finger hole. I will leave the dancing spool for those DIR training flicks.

As to the OP and heavy cold water gloves...my fingers and hands are small...I just recommended the large hole spool from persl. diving experience as it making usage SO much easier. :)[/QUOTE

I thought about that and decided I'd rather risk losing the bag than try to hold it if the line jams. With a 50 lb bag, I'm looking to get 20 - 25 lb of bouyancy in it before I let it go from 30 ft. I'd rather lose the bag than risk that ride up. I do rewind the spool carefully after each use. So far, no problem.

But I'm sure you could compromise and hold it to give light jams a chance to come loose and still let it go before a real snarl drags you up. I'm not sure if that could creat more problems than it solves or not.

I also tried weighted spools with 40 to 50 ft of line on them that I would let go to the bottom before I deployed the bag. Decided it just was not worth the trouble.

I think you would be better served by lightly holding the spool...if it
does jamb and you are unable to clear it--RELEASE! If you are in a dive situation of knowing you are going to deploy a marker or bag....its recommended to carry a redundant of each anyways.