question for owners of Seaquest BCD's

[SHAGGY]

I've seen this product advertised in a few magazines and I decided to take a look at the Aqualung website to get a little better look at it. They call it the S.O.S. "surface observation signal". It looks like a really handy product. It replaces the lower dump valve on Seaquest BCD's, and eliminates the need to have to manually blow up your surface signaling device. I was courious if any on here has one and if so how do you like it?


Accessories

shaggy

[Splitlip]

I presently do not own a Seaquest BC. I, however, do not see need for one.

(Although Dolfin might disagree )

[mitsuguy]

nifty, but not needed...

[terrillja]

So Stephen Frink can afford to carry like 4K in cameras, but not cave line and a bolt snap for his camera?

My main issues with this:
1) If it deploys underwater, say in a wreck, you are in trouble
2) It can't be deployed during a deco hang, as many SMBs can.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by terrillja

So Stephen Frink can afford to carry like 4K in cameras, but not cave line and a bolt snap for his camera?

My main issues with this:
1) If it deploys underwater, say in a wreck, you are in trouble
2) It can't be deployed during a deco hang, as many SMBs can.

not necessarily on number 1 though... it takes air out of the lower dump of the bc, meaning the bc would need to be almost fully inflated in order for it to inflate (and also, it wouldn't automatically fill up upon deployment, you'd have to specifically add air to it) however, it would be a potential entanglement hazard...

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by mitsuguy

not necessarily on number 1 though... it takes air out of the lower dump of the bc, meaning the bc would need to be almost fully inflated in order for it to inflate (and also, it wouldn't automatically fill up upon deployment, you'd have to specifically add air to it) however, it would be a potential entanglement hazard...

I haven't seen one in person, but from the video it seems like once the d-ring is pulled, there is nothing to hold the smb in. So if air is added to the bc, some will go into the smb. At least that is how it seems to me. I haven't seen anywhere if it can be deployed with the bc partially full or not.

That would be helpful, if someone who has seen one can say if the BC has to be fully inflated or not to deploy the smb.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by terrillja

I haven't seen one in person, but from the video it seems like once the d-ring is pulled, there is nothing to hold the smb in. So if air is added to the bc, some will go into the smb. At least that is how it seems to me. I haven't seen anywhere if it can be deployed with the bc partially full or not.

That would be helpful, if someone who has seen one can say if the BC has to be fully inflated or not to deploy the smb.

well, air always goes to the highest point... if you were horizontal or head down, then the air would travel to the SMB, but, remember you haven't necessarily added air, its just moved, so, although inconvenient, it wouldn't cause any type of runaway ascent... now, in the heads up position, air only goes to the bottom of the BC if its close to full... (try dumping air from your lower release valve while in the heads up position with it only 1/4 full)

[terrillja]

I'm not thinking of a runaway ascent, but if you are properly trimmed out, and are horizontal, then some air will be pressing against the lower dump valve. If the smb can deploy, even partially, and gets tangled on part of a wreck, you'd have to figure out how to cut off the smb, and your bc would presumably then have an opening if you cut off the smb. Now if the BC has to be fully inflated for the smb to deploy, this would be less of a possibility.

[mitsuguy]

good question... I guess I assumed it would only get air in it if the valve was vented into it either by overpressure, or by pulling the dump valve cord

Originally Posted by terrillja

I'm not thinking of a runaway ascent, but if you are properly trimmed out, and are horizontal, then some air will be pressing against the lower dump valve. If the smb can deploy, even partially, and gets tangled on part of a wreck, you'd have to figure out how to cut off the smb, and your bc would presumably then have an opening if you cut off the smb. Now if the BC has to be fully inflated for the smb to deploy, this would be less of a possibility.

[Splitlip]

I'm an ocean diver.
How do you climb on the boat with that think. I keep thinking of Jim Belushi in that SNL skit when he had the giant bulge in his pants that would knock drinks off the tables and push people out of the way.

And how hard is it to stow. I am all for progress, but seems like an unnecesary gadget. I think a SMB is more effectively launched from a safety stop.