Can I Use Loose Line for a dSMB or Do I Need a Spool? #scuba #askmark @BrentHollett
#AskMark as a Recreational, no deco diver, is there any reason to have more than 6m of line on a DSMB reel?
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver
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There’s a video that I think DiveTalk reviewed at one point of some students who had SMBs with loose line. It was a shit show. It doesn’t really work.
Definitely always use a spool, and definitely have more than 6m… Really you should have 1.5 times your max depth. I’d say 15m would be the minimum I’d ever use. Obviously you don’t need to go overboard and have a giant reel of line – too much is too much.
I’m guessing the real motivation behind the question is that they don’t want to carry the gear at all because it’s inconveniently flapping about and maybe snagging on other things, so making it as minimal as possible is the compromise? If this is the case just sort out your gear and get some pockets – ideally on/over your exposure suit or optionally on your BCD. I have no trouble keeping a DSMB and 30m spool in my Apeks tech shorts pocket and I barely notice it’s there. No gear should ever be flopping about.
Selecting a good DSMB and good training on how to deploy a DSMB is important. I’d be looking to take the advice of technical divers and what they recommend when it comes to DSMBs and deployment methods.
I saw that video on DiveTalk, real show, soo many divers and nobady knows how to deploy DSMB, its so stupid simple, just watch more experience diver and then repeat what he did or watch video on yt, I always dive waith at least 30m spool, and 1.8m DSMB
I saw that video too – I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
A dSMD can definitely be a useful bit of kit, essential on some drift dives, but it takes a degree of experience and skill to use one properly.For every one I saw deployed correctly, I’d see another ten that failed and the diver has got himself into an almighty tangle. Using a short length without a spool is arguably a lot easier, but it’s also limiting. what I’d like to see is more practice put in and if you struggle to maintain good buoyancy don’t even bother, get that nailed first.
I do a lot of drift dives in areas with sometimes heavy boat traffic(Niagara River). I always deploy a buoy or smb. Most boats are just cruising by and respect the divers below. Occasionally you get some nut jobs on jet skis that treat your SMB as part of a slalom course. I’ve even had fishermen pass rather close trolling for gamefish. The last thing I want is to be snagged by a hook.
For this reason many local divers are reluctant to deploy a float until they are ready to surface.
Arguably easier? Does not compute
@Mr. Beacher if I’m doing a drift, usually it’s in relatively shallow waters, generally less than 15 metres. For that we usually use a flat winder similar to one used for kite flying. It’s easier to hold and we don’t need a lot of line on it.
Yeah I’ve had the same experience with yachts using the buoy as a turning point,which is bang out of order.@Woody
Sorry about that.@Mr. Beacher
In my view, loose line is a hazard, not just to yourself but to other divers around you. I’ve seen divers using loose line and, if it doesn’t wrap itself around them, it has a tendency to seek out and entangle any nearby divers. A spool is much safer, keeping the line neatly wound up and away from other equipment. I strongly believe that every diver should carry a dsmb and practice using it at every opportunity. My buddy and I send up a demb every dive, no matter where we are, it’s a skill that we all need.
Yes, my first “spool” was a kite handle. Worked great. I used heavy gauge DC grade rope at the bottom end. It adds around 750gram. And have knotted a handle that fits over gloves. But I understand where you’re coming from.🤙
#askmark Internal vs external batteries for heated undergarmants???
External. You do increase your chances of a leak slightly with external batteries. But if an internal battery fails then I can’t reach it and disconnect it. If an external battery fails I can just disconnect it and continue the dive. External batteries also give you a better choice of size and replacements.
Completely agree. I have some friends that went with the ‘Venture Heat’ and I hope they don’t have any issues 😊
#askmark
Hi Mark. What your thoughts about some “equipment restrictions” of Hogarthian style? For example: Backup lights should be powered by C cell batteries and don’t have a electronic ON/OFF button, divers should not wear a helmet in cave diving, etc
I understand the reasoning behind the setups for reliability and uniformity in extreme diving environments. Each aspect has been carefully considered for years by expert divers to create the safest equipment setup and procedures possible.
For most divers, who aren’t diving in those kinds of overhead or extreme environments, they can be good guidelines to aspire to but, I wouldn’t strictly follow them. As long as your equipment setup works for you and your buddy and where you’re diving then it should be fine. Sure you can improve certain parts over time but, for a recreational blue-water diver I wouldn’t worry about following them to the dot. Maybe use them to guide future decisions but, I wouldn’t sell everything and start again.
Thanks Mark! @Scuba Diver Magazine
When I read the title I immediately wondered if the diver also duct tapes a razor blade on their bcd bladder to avoid needing a dive knife 🤔
#askmark Hi Mark, fairly new diver here. Thanks for the awesome videos and podcasts! I have about 25 logged dives in different places and the thing i struggle with most is navigating. I know the basics of how to use a compass but in my head that doesn´t add up to actually navigating a dive site. All of my dives so far have been guided and only about 3 of them have been to the same site. i´m also fairly scared of just jumping in the sea and figure it out. There are also not a great deal of lakes where i live. Any tips on how to go about learning how to navigate? Worth mentioning that i’m mostly planning to do travel diving, but i do some diving locally. Cheers and loads of love!
In blue water, most navigation is done by sight,you should have a good dive briefing beforehand,ideally with a map for reference,it depends on the dive sight. If you want o get better with a compass, there are courses to take the PADI rescue course is one of the better one and includes compass work,after that it’s practice
I tend to practice on dog walks. When I leave the car I take a note of where north is or where the sun is in relation to the car and which direction I’m going to head. Throughout the walk think in your mind which way you need to go to head straight back to the car. Landmarks and environment are just as important. If you pass something prominent on the way out then think about where it is in relation to the car and where you’re heading.
On dives I’ll look at the compass at the start and where everything is in relation. If the coast runs north to south then I know that if I head east away from shore then to get back I only need to head west.
I agree with the majority here. Get a spool. It is not cost prohibited. See the dive talk reaction video to the complications of not having a spool.
#askmark can you do a torch guide. I have an underwater candle (yes it’s that weak). I really wish i had someone to help me with this. But yeah torch guide. 🤙
Edit: include li-ion batteries if time allows it.
Torches are really powerful today. For clear blue water night dives I tend to stick to anything up to 700 lumens. Anything brighter and it just blinds you. I’m all for powerful torches in an emergency but only when they have a lower setting so you don’t blind everybody.
Spotlights are better than floodlights for general use but get something with a good corona around the main beam so you can see around the main beam a little.
Battery type is up to the diver. Replaceable batteries are good for longevity but can be wasteful. Rechargeable batteries are more convenient but have a limited lifespan…