SMB Deployment

richieoflynn · May 8th, 2008, 11:46 PM

Hi there,

I was just watching some 'skills' demo movies and was wondering about the smb deployment one. When we look up before letting go of the bag, we're obvoiously checking for divers / boats / any overhead obstructions etc. However, if you look up and then take another 20 seconds to deploy the bag, then that's plenty of time for something or someone to move into the 'line of fire'. Why not look up just before letting go ?

Richie.

graham_hk · May 9th, 2008, 03:36 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by richieoflynn)

Hi there,

I was just watching some 'skills' demo movies and was wondering about the smb deployment one. When we look up before letting go of the bag, we're obvoiously checking for divers / boats / any overhead obstructions etc. However, if you look up and then take another 20 seconds to deploy the bag, then that's plenty of time for something or someone to move into the 'line of fire'. Why not look up just before letting go ?

Richie.

Thats what I do - I never let the bag control me thus if I have to abort because somebody (something) is above me I can. That said if you are stupid enough to end up above a diver who is shooting a bag

**MartyC** · May 9th, 2008, 09:46 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by richieoflynn)

Hi there,

I was just watching some 'skills' demo movies and was wondering about the smb deployment one. When we look up before letting go of the bag, we're obvoiously checking for divers / boats / any overhead obstructions etc. However, if you look up and then take another 20 seconds to deploy the bag, then that's plenty of time for something or someone to move into the 'line of fire'. Why not look up just before letting go ?

Richie.

Richie,
Bear in mind that the video is a demonstration and done slowly to illustrate the procedure for students, in reality your smb/spool will be made up in your pocket and the process will happen much more quickly - that said there is no reason why you can't double check!

se2schul · May 9th, 2008, 02:23 PM

Just curious... I was never taught to look up for SMB deployment. Is it something new within the last few years??

**MartyC** · May 9th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by se2schul)

Just curious... I was never taught to look up for SMB deployment. Is it something new within the last few years??

No idea mate, does seem like a reasonable idea though, saves getting it fouled on something / someone

Chris89 · May 10th, 2008, 04:10 PM

Hi,

don't you look up, just before you inflate the smb?? So there won't be 20 sec between looking and shooting the bag. I would rather say 5 to 10 sec, or am I wrong?

Chris

richieoflynn · May 10th, 2008, 05:35 PM

I was looking at a video Clare put up on youtube. I understand she is showing students what to do etc. but still, it's 18 seconds between looking up and letting go. If the smb is going to be controlled when you inflate it, then why not look up just before you let go ? I know I'm being really pedantic now so don't mind me, I probably need a beer !

Here's the link, maybe Clare could give her 2 pence worth

YouTube - SMB deployment v2

Richie.

**Alastair** · May 10th, 2008, 07:54 PM

Well in my view before inflating the bag you should check if anything is above you. There is little point putting a bag up if you are under a piece of wreckage. Safest and easiest time to do that is before you are working against the buoyancy of a semi-inflated bag (particularly in the case of the 4.5 ft ones we use for all ocean diving in the UK).

The bag is then inflated and ready to go - at that point the team can help you by checking above (which is briefed to them before the demo). They are best placed to look up for you and make sure the overhead is clear. Like everything team diving applies

Hope that helps.
Cheers
Al

***Fiona*** · May 10th, 2008, 08:23 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair)

They are best placed to look up for you and make sure the overhead is Clare.

Al

temple.bar · June 25th, 2008, 09:05 PM

when the SMB is deployed what's the correct ascent procedure?

1) leave the SMB deployed and ascent keeping the line as reference; then recovery the line when you are in surface

2) leave the SMB deployed and ascent keeping the line as reference; then recovery the line at each deco stop

3) continuosly recovery the line while ascending

4) ???

Thanks in advance
(hope someone understand my scary english!)

May 8th, 2008, 11:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
richieoflynn (Online) New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 52	SMB Deployment Hi there, I was just watching some 'skills' demo movies and was wondering about the smb deployment one. When we look up before letting go of the bag, we're obvoiously checking for divers / boats / any overhead obstructions etc. However, if you look up and then take another 20 seconds to deploy the bag, then that's plenty of time for something or someone to move into the 'line of fire'. Why not look up just before letting go ? Richie.

May 9th, 2008, 03:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
graham_hk(Offline) Pinoy ako pinoy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here, there and everywhere Posts: 779	Quote: (Originally Posted by richieoflynn) Hi there, I was just watching some 'skills' demo movies and was wondering about the smb deployment one. When we look up before letting go of the bag, we're obvoiously checking for divers / boats / any overhead obstructions etc. However, if you look up and then take another 20 seconds to deploy the bag, then that's plenty of time for something or someone to move into the 'line of fire'. Why not look up just before letting go ? Richie. Thats what I do - I never let the bag control me thus if I have to abort because somebody (something) is above me I can. That said if you are stupid enough to end up above a diver who is shooting a bag __________________ DIN caps and plugs with free world wide postage: www.dustcap.halcyon-hk.com

May 9th, 2008, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
MartyC(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Goathland, N Yorks. Posts: 152	Quote: (Originally Posted by richieoflynn) Hi there, I was just watching some 'skills' demo movies and was wondering about the smb deployment one. When we look up before letting go of the bag, we're obvoiously checking for divers / boats / any overhead obstructions etc. However, if you look up and then take another 20 seconds to deploy the bag, then that's plenty of time for something or someone to move into the 'line of fire'. Why not look up just before letting go ? Richie. Richie, Bear in mind that the video is a demonstration and done slowly to illustrate the procedure for students, in reality your smb/spool will be made up in your pocket and the process will happen much more quickly - that said there is no reason why you can't double check! __________________ IF only I could think of something witty to say!

May 9th, 2008, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
MartyC(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Goathland, N Yorks. Posts: 152	Quote: (Originally Posted by se2schul) Just curious... I was never taught to look up for SMB deployment. Is it something new within the last few years?? No idea mate, does seem like a reasonable idea though, saves getting it fouled on something / someone __________________ IF only I could think of something witty to say!

May 10th, 2008, 07:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Well in my view before inflating the bag you should check if anything is above you. There is little point putting a bag up if you are under a piece of wreckage. Safest and easiest time to do that is before you are working against the buoyancy of a semi-inflated bag (particularly in the case of the 4.5 ft ones we use for all ocean diving in the UK). The bag is then inflated and ready to go - at that point the team can help you by checking above (which is briefed to them before the demo). They are best placed to look up for you and make sure the overhead is clear. Like everything team diving applies Hope that helps. Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3 Last edited by Alastair; May 10th, 2008 at 08:27 PM. Reason: Thanks Fi - talk about a freudian slip! Wonder where the instructor usually waits during bag deployment ;)

May 9th, 2008, 02:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
se2schul(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 69	Just curious... I was never taught to look up for SMB deployment. Is it something new within the last few years??

May 10th, 2008, 04:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chris89(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 20	Hi, don't you look up, just before you inflate the smb?? So there won't be 20 sec between looking and shooting the bag. I would rather say 5 to 10 sec, or am I wrong? Chris

May 10th, 2008, 05:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
richieoflynn (Online) New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 52	I was looking at a video Clare put up on youtube. I understand she is showing students what to do etc. but still, it's 18 seconds between looking up and letting go. If the smb is going to be controlled when you inflate it, then why not look up just before you let go ? I know I'm being really pedantic now so don't mind me, I probably need a beer ! Here's the link, maybe Clare could give her 2 pence worth YouTube - SMB deployment v2 Richie.

May 10th, 2008, 08:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Fiona* (Online) Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Up North Posts: 1,206	Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) They are best placed to look up for you and make sure the overhead is Clare. Al __________________ Fiona Resistance was Futile Move Along YD GUE Member

June 25th, 2008, 09:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
temple.bar(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ITALY Posts: 20	when the SMB is deployed what's the correct ascent procedure? 1) leave the SMB deployed and ascent keeping the line as reference; then recovery the line when you are in surface 2) leave the SMB deployed and ascent keeping the line as reference; then recovery the line at each deco stop 3) continuosly recovery the line while ascending 4) ??? Thanks in advance (hope someone understand my scary english!)