SMB deployment DIR Stylee

Gareth Burrows · November 24th, 2005, 06:32 PM

What is the appropriate depth and mechanism from which to send up an SMB. I have in the past sent them up from the deeps with a wreck reel and also from the shallows with a spool. I am happy with either but wonder what is the accepted method. Additionally, do you send up one SMB per diver, or one per team etc.

Cheers for any and all advice.

Little Pete · November 24th, 2005, 06:45 PM

I think it depends on the dive really but a common spot is the gas switch to 50% at 21m. That's a good launch depth for me on slightly deeper dives anyway (generally near the bottom). Better that than 6m when your suit has got that bit more air in (well mine has anyway

).

**Alastair** · November 24th, 2005, 06:46 PM

Hi Garf,

Usually do it at 21m just after the gas switch. Prefer to send one up per team but that's down to the boat skipper being happy with it. On a non-deco dive we still do it at that sort of depth you just have to do it on the move.

Personally I prefer to get Clare to bag off as I find it less hassle :D
(she keeps making me do it to stop me being lazy)

Cheers
Al

Divingniknaks · November 24th, 2005, 06:52 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Garf)

depth and mechanism from which to send up an SMB.

Depth has been covered by the others, the mechanism should be a spool, I assume that's what you wanted to know ?

Cheers

**Alastair** · November 24th, 2005, 07:00 PM

I suppose I should add that I would bag up using the reel from the bottom if asked to by the Skipper. I believe one of the guys did a dive in the shipping lanes where the skipper needed to keep track of them and wanted them to bag up much sooner.

At the end of the day you need to make sure the skipper is there to collect you at the end of the dive

Cheers
Al

***Bob Cooper*** · November 24th, 2005, 11:54 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair)

I suppose I should add that I would bag up using the reel from the bottom if asked to by the Skipper. I believe one of the guys did a dive in the shipping lanes where the skipper needed to keep track of them and wanted them to bag up much sooner.

That's right, it's often necessary to bag off on (or near) the bottom, rather than at the first switch (especially on a deep dive). To do this deep, you will need a reel, not a spool.

I must add that bagging of at depth is not a procedure that any of us are particularly keen on, but sometimes the conditions (and the skipper) dictate that it is necessary.

Bob

Gareth Burrows · November 25th, 2005, 10:47 AM

I have no issue with bagging up from depth except that it's a pain in the arse reeling all that line in instead of doing a free ascent, and it's a waste of gas / bottom time hovering for a couple of minutes at the bottom when it could be done 20-odd metres shallower.

November 24th, 2005, 06:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gareth Burrows(Offline) Chimp 2 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 369	SMB deployment DIR Stylee What is the appropriate depth and mechanism from which to send up an SMB. I have in the past sent them up from the deeps with a wreck reel and also from the shallows with a spool. I am happy with either but wonder what is the accepted method. Additionally, do you send up one SMB per diver, or one per team etc. Cheers for any and all advice. __________________ Garf Amusing and Clever Signature under construction.

November 24th, 2005, 06:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Hi Garf, Usually do it at 21m just after the gas switch. Prefer to send one up per team but that's down to the boat skipper being happy with it. On a non-deco dive we still do it at that sort of depth you just have to do it on the move. Personally I prefer to get Clare to bag off as I find it less hassle :D (she keeps making me do it to stop me being lazy) Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

November 24th, 2005, 06:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Quote: (Originally Posted by Garf) depth and mechanism from which to send up an SMB. Depth has been covered by the others, the mechanism should be a spool, I assume that's what you wanted to know ? Cheers __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

November 24th, 2005, 07:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	I suppose I should add that I would bag up using the reel from the bottom if asked to by the Skipper. I believe one of the guys did a dive in the shipping lanes where the skipper needed to keep track of them and wanted them to bag up much sooner. At the end of the day you need to make sure the skipper is there to collect you at the end of the dive Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

November 25th, 2005, 10:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
Gareth Burrows(Offline) Chimp 2 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 369	I have no issue with bagging up from depth except that it's a pain in the arse reeling all that line in instead of doing a free ascent, and it's a waste of gas / bottom time hovering for a couple of minutes at the bottom when it could be done 20-odd metres shallower. __________________ Garf Amusing and Clever Signature under construction.

November 24th, 2005, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	I think it depends on the dive really but a common spot is the gas switch to 50% at 21m. That's a good launch depth for me on slightly deeper dives anyway (generally near the bottom). Better that than 6m when your suit has got that bit more air in (well mine has anyway ).

November 24th, 2005, 11:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 684	Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) I suppose I should add that I would bag up using the reel from the bottom if asked to by the Skipper. I believe one of the guys did a dive in the shipping lanes where the skipper needed to keep track of them and wanted them to bag up much sooner. That's right, it's often necessary to bag off on (or near) the bottom, rather than at the first switch (especially on a deep dive). To do this deep, you will need a reel, not a spool. I must add that bagging of at depth is not a procedure that any of us are particularly keen on, but sometimes the conditions (and the skipper) dictate that it is necessary. Bob