How to deploy SMB w/ spool at depth?

[BobbyWombat]

I'm looking at buying a SMB and finger spool. I understand that it takes some practice to get proficient at deploying it at depth.

What is the process and steps you go through to deploy an SMB at depth off of a finger spool? Any tips/tricks things to be wary of (i.e. how to not get tangled in the line)?

Is there a class that this is covered in (AOW??)?.

Thanks!

-BW

[aggie99]

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

I'm looking at buying a SMB and finger spool. I understand that it takes some practice to get proficient at deploying it at depth.

What is the process and steps you go through to deploy an SMB at depth off of a finger spool? Any tips/tricks things to be wary of (i.e. how to not get tangled in the line)?

Is there a class that this is covered in (AOW??)?.

Thanks!

-BW

They didn't teach us that skill in AOW, I learned how to do while taking Intro to Tech. I will leave it to the experts to break down the steps, I would probably goof it up if I tried to tell you how

[Gombessa]

There are a few good vids on youtube showing smb deployment.

[awap]

Do your practicing at 15 ft. That helped a lot when I hit the wrong button on my Air2.

Start by emptying your BC into the DSMB. Thayt will makes sure the airway on the DSMB is open, gets it standing up straight, and you will still be neutral.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

I'm looking at buying a SMB and finger spool. I understand that it takes some practice to get proficient at deploying it at depth.

What is the process and steps you go through to deploy an SMB at depth off of a finger spool? Any tips/tricks things to be wary of (i.e. how to not get tangled in the line)?

Is there a class that this is covered in (AOW??)?.

Thanks!

-BW

Getting tangled is a bad thing...

There are several methods that work, but here is the one I like.

Note: Deploying an SMB is best done with two people, particularly learning to do it, as there are two major parts to it.

Note2: It is important that you are neutral in the water with around 1/2 a breath. Don't do this until you are.

1. Get reel out and attach to smb. Once you have the reel where it can unwind, you have to be in control of it till the process is complete.

2. Open smb up, at or above your face. I do it above my head.

3. I usually use my octo to fill it, but not all the time. The important part is to decide ahead of time which you are going to use.

4. I hold the reel and the bottom of the smb in the same hand.. have seen it done the opposite way, not sure which is best.

Note: What follows is done in one smooth step, fairly quickly.

5. I take my filling reg, in my one hand, pull down on the smb bottom and insert the second stage in the bottom. This makes sure that the rising air will go into the smb.

6. Closing the bottom (with the rest of the smb above the reg) with the reg inside it, push the purge button and inflate the smb (the amount you need depends on the depth, deeper, the less you need).

7. As you push the button, exhale (so you sink).

8. Hold onto the smb for just over a second to get air in, and have your finger it the spool openning. Insert finger and let go.

Note: The line had to be correctly aligned with the spool, and not already tangled, or you are about to be very unhappy.

9. Once you have the spool under control, breath normally. Let the line go out and stop when it gets to the surface.

If you do it correctly, it will be completely filled at the surface.

With two people, one holds the spool, keeps the line clean and the other person does the filling...

I like to deploy deep, as the initial starting air (and the amount of pull) is very low. From 15 ft, you have to wait several seconds to get enough air in the one I have, if you want it firm on the surface.

[BSea]

Here's a YouTube video. I've seen a better 1, but I can't find it.

YouTube - SMB deployment

[Gombessa]

That's the most recent one I remember.

I think most people probably have the SMB already attached to the spool via double-ender, so you can skip the "threading the smb strap" step, but that's the basic idea.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by Gombessa

That's the most recent one I remember.

I think most people probably have the SMB already attached to the spool via double-ender, so you can skip the "threading the smb strap" step, but that's the basic idea.

My SMB is in a mesh pouch, attached to the bottom of the plate on my BP/W. The reel is on my side and I must be the only person on earth that hates bolt snaps (never had one that worked correctly after a beach dive.) so I use an open form of carabiner that cannot get stuck, but I still have to connect the smb ring to the carabiner

[DivingCRNA]

I use a reel, not a finger spool. Not sure I would want my FINGER attached to a rising, and ever more buoyant SMB...

[texdiveguy]

I persl. like using my bc wings standard low pressure inflator to fill bags for deployment...venting just a tad of wing gas into the bag to both help right it a bit and off set the buoyancy change,, and then depressing both inflator/deflator buttons at once to bring bag to appropriate fill size before releasing the bag. Remember to keep your line clear of gear as to void getting tangled and shoot your bag about 10ft. below your desired final stop depth, then slowly take in your line till reaching your target stop depth. Also make sure your line is 'long enough' for your intended shoot depth....something folks forget about quite often. PRACTICE!!