SMB

[caroln]

Do you guys generally prefer an open SMB that you can inflate with a regulator, or a closed type that you inflate orally or with your inflator? This is the next item I need to add and practice with, and I'd rather not buy 2-3 before I get the right one.

[ScubaToys Larry]

The self sealing on a spool is ideal. This is a great unit: Zeagle SMB Quick Deploy Deluxe Signal Marker Kit , Accessories-Signaling Devices, Zeagle, Zeagle SMB Quick Deploy Deluxe Signal Marker Kit

[MSilvia]

I use an open one, and inflate it with a reg. It takes practice for sure.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

I use an open one, and inflate it with a reg. It takes practice for sure.

Same here. Basic lift bag and spool. Inflate off of your wing hose or reg.

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by caroln

Do you guys generally prefer an open SMB that you can inflate with a regulator, or a closed type that you inflate orally or with your inflator? This is the next item I need to add and practice with, and I'd rather not buy 2-3 before I get the right one.

This will answer you own question... get in the pool in full gear and try to inflate one orally.

then imagine doing it in 2-3 foot seas with waves crasing in your face.

It should be an easy choice to get one you inflate with a 2nd stage.

[caroln]

Originally Posted by mike_s

This will answer you own question... get in the pool in full gear and try to inflate one orally.

then imagine doing it in 2-3 foot seas with waves crasing in your face.

It should be an easy choice to get one you inflate with a 2nd stage.

This is a good idea. I practiced deploying a liftbag with a team mate this weekend using a bag that was inflated with a reg, and it was a very smooth easy process with the two of us working on it.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by caroln

This is a good idea. I practiced deploying a liftbag with a team mate this weekend using a bag that was inflated with a reg, and it was a very smooth easy process with the two of us working on it.

You need to be able to do that by yourself... but two people is a start. The "duckbill" valve should be a must on any SMB, as some times for safety, you have to send one up first.

[RonFrank]

You don't really say what you are going to use this for. Do you plan on just using it at the surface? Or do you want to use this as a lift bag? Do you want to launch this from depth?

I don't consider a SMB optional equipment for boat diving, nor is it IMO tech.

There is no RIGHT choice. However I have a big SMB which is very functional at the surface, but I wish I would have spent the money and purchased a Safety Sausage with a relief valve. DAN sells a very nice one, and there are many available like the one that Larry suggested.

Many divers carry both a safety sausage for a surface marker, and a lift bag that they would deploy if they got separated from the group during a drift dive at depth for example, or if they found something cool that they wanted to bring to the surface.

Launching any marker at depth takes some practice. However inflating a sausage at the surface using one's mouth even if rough seas is not that difficult.

I'm going to buy a 75lbs lift bag to accompany my SS which I do shoot off at depth, but I'm just waiting for it to pop if I overfill it!

It's difficult to find something that does double duty well, so my surface marker will become just that, and using the lift bag to lift stuff seems like a good idea!

[caroln]

Eventually I will buy both a lift bag and a SMB. It was a lift bag we deployed as a team, and it wasn't as much that we needed 2 people to get it done as that we're working on building our skills as a team. We recently were a team in a class, and while our skills were relatively ok, our team work was horrible.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by RonFrank

You don't really say what you are going to use this for. Do you plan on just using it at the surface? Or do you want to use this as a lift bag? Do you want to launch this from depth?

I don't consider a SMB optional equipment for boat diving, nor is it IMO tech.

There is no RIGHT choice. However I have a big SMB which is very functional at the surface, but I wish I would have spent the money and purchased a Safety Sausage with a relief valve. DAN sells a very nice one, and there are many available like the one that Larry suggested.

Many divers carry both a safety sausage for a surface marker, and a lift bag that they would deploy if they got separated from the group during a drift dive at depth for example, or if they found something cool that they wanted to bring to the surface.

Launching any marker at depth takes some practice. However inflating a sausage at the surface using one's mouth even if rough seas is not that difficult.

I'm going to buy a 75lbs lift bag to accompany my SS which I do shoot off at depth, but I'm just waiting for it to pop if I overfill it!

It's difficult to find something that does double duty well, so my surface marker will become just that, and using the lift bag to lift stuff seems like a good idea!

I have the diverite smb (with the mesh bag that attaches to the back of my BP/W) and

Dive Rite Lift/Marking/Safety Bags...Attention-Getting, Inflatable...Easy Retrievals

And the TDL SMB.. which is also a very nice 50 lb lift bag.

both have duck bill valves at the bottom and overpressure valves. The diverite one is smaller folded up. I got both on sale over the past couple of years... TDL was less than 1/2 price. If you have only one, I would go with that... it is a tank.