View Full Version : SMBs what type
I'v got one that inflates with my suit hose or a C02 cylinder an stays up
It's yellow and I use it to let surface cover know I need air my red one means ok what SMB do u guys use and why? :o
scubapro.
It's well designed - everything folds away nicely. The deployment is very smooth.
Had it for 4 years. Nae probs. Apart from when I attach the balloon to the d-ring clip rather than the line clip ... :o which I do surprisingly often ...
Must remember, little clip good, big clip ...BAD
bubblemaker
16-05-06, 11:12
i have the best kind of SMB... i've got the free kind!!! it appears to be of no specific make, but it's fairly big when inflated, easy to use, and it didn't cost me a penny!!!!
alexmaclennan
16-05-06, 23:34
I've a DelayedAid DSMB from E-bay. Two parts. The Reel has an integrated rectangular hard plastic Nozzle that you can easily fit your alternate air source into it. The Tube itself is 3 foot orange with a hard plastic bottom fitting that slides easily on and off the nozzle. The tube has a built in waist above the plastic fitting so that air in does not easily come out. Reel has a clip for the SMB and a small bungee to hold the folded over SMB onto the reel/nozzle assembly ready for use. Works well in Loch Long (1. fit alternate into nozzle; 2. inflate; 3. flip tube off nozzle while holding ratchet of reel down; 4. swim about with SMB on surface). Definitely easier to inflate/use than my buddy's Scubapro which was difficult to get air into as there was no easy opening to fit the air source into.
Alex
Me, I use one of those with the wee crack bottle for my day to day dives.
For the deep stuff I also carry a spare red and also a yellow one. (just my main one has the bottle)
I'v got one that inflates with my suit hose or a C02 cylinder an stays up
It's yellow and I use it to let surface cover know I need air my red one means ok what SMB do u guys use and why? :o
One that has an over-inflation dump valve thing. Ive had one without blow up on me before!
However at the mo i have a bog standard reel (with good sized handle bit) and a bog standard red tube, but with the 'delayed aid' thing to fire it up with. Seems to work quite well. http://www.divernet.com/equipment/0901divertests.htm#daid http://www.delayedaid.com/
I actually bought it 2nd hand from yorkshire divers (finding it difficult for my dad and i to 'share' a reel and smb with each other... particularly difficult when not diving together! ) because it was a reel and smb for sale togther. The delayed aid bit just happened to be there. Quite happy with it! Would probably be a good thing to use to get trainees used to firing them up (although i think they should still learn to do it properly too!)
Here is a tip for a home made Surface Marker Buoy.....
My mate uses one of those silver foil bags from inside a Wine Box, you know the type with a wee tap on it? Well tie off your line to the tap and blow up the silver bag through the tap (probably getting the dregs off the nasty cheap wine that was in it...) and hey-presto, a cheap, easy to see SMB. Handy if you are taking trainees out to use it.
gogs
there was a certain regional coach formerly of eastwood who successfully sent a rubber doll up from the breda. I'm only sorry i wasn't there to see it :D
i have the best kind of SMB... i've got the free kind!!! it appears to be of no specific make, but it's fairly big when inflated, easy to use, and it didn't cost me a penny!!!!
R u talking about a trainee:D :D
there was a certain regional coach formerly of eastwood who successfully sent a rubber doll up from the breda. I'm only sorry i wasn't there to see it :D
Yep there was another 2 ribs there and a guy on one of the ribs said I recon thats one of your guys. and nancy as he called her was on the surface mouth wide open and arms outstreashed :D :eek: :rolleyes:
bubblemaker
19-05-06, 17:58
R u talking about a trainee:D :D
sadly not ..but that would be damn funny to see... hmmm boat's out on sunday!! i wonder what squeebs are going!!