1) Inflate the bag by exhaling into
the opening.
Without removing your regulator,
turn your head to direct exhaled
bubbles into the SMB’s opening.
There is a risk of the line tangling
in the regulator and pulling it from
your mouth. It may be challenging
to get enough gas into the SMB to
keep it fully inflated on the surface,
but there is little chance of the
regulator free flowing, and not
much gas should be wasted. This
technique requires the SMB to be
very close to the diver’s face and
thus may limit vision.
2) Use your alternate air source.
This technique can deliver a large amount of gas
into the SMB quickly, but there is a risk of free
flow. Since SMBs are usually sent to the surface
near the end of dives, excessive loss of breathing
gas may be problematic. It is important to secure
the alternate air source once the SMB is on its way
to the surface to reduce the risk of entanglement of
the line around the second stage. Divers should not
use their primary second-stage to inflate an SMB,
because a problem during deployment could leave
the diver without readily available breathing gas.
3) Use your BCD’s power inflator.
This method will work only if you use a standard
inflator; a unit with a built-in alternate air source
may be too large to use. Grasp the power inflator,
and place it in the SMB, keeping the inflator higher
than the BCD’s air bladder(s). Press the inflate and
deflate buttons at the same time. This will inflate
the SMB quickly, there is little risk of free flow, and
the breathing cycle will not be uninterrupted. This
method should not affect buoyancy, but if it does
the solution is in the diver’s grasp. It is also unlikely
to cause entanglement, and there is nothing to reset
or replace afterward.
Once the SMB starts its ascent, the reel or finger spool
will unwind rapidly; do not allow the line to leave the
reel so fast that it creates loops or causes a backlash or
a jam. Keep the reel in front of you so you can manage
it easily — don’t imitate a subway-strap hanger. Use
your free hand as a brake or drag. As soon as the line
stops, reel in the slack, and maintain tension. This
will keep the SMB upright and give
it a better chance of being seen. If
you’re using an open-bottom SMB,
reel in the slack quickly so the buoy
doesn’t dump air and sink. If the
SMB can be seen from depth and
most of it is still underwater, it will
be difficult to spot on the surface.
To ensure the SMB stays upright,
maintain tension on the line by
reeling it in as you ascend.
As you deploy the SMB, your
buddy should keep an eye on you
and have a cutting tool handy;
this minimizes the risk of being
dragged to the surface in the event
of entanglement. He or she should
also monitor the depth. Finally, if added visibility is
warranted, your buddy may clip a second SMB to the
same line and send it to the surface.
Shooting an SMB is an essential skill for technical
divers, those who dive offshore or in current and any
divers who might need to mark their location. Pick
a method of deployment that works for you, and
practice, practice, practice.
AD
The Reel Deal
B y B r i a n W a k e
Here are some tips for
preparing a new reel for use.
1. Tie off the end of the line, and let
it out to its full length. Check the line
for snags, breaks and defects.
2. Use a permanent black marker to
make a quarter-inch-wide mark on
the line every 10 feet. This will help
you monitor your depth as you ascend.
3. At 15 feet from the end of the line, use a red marker to
mark every foot for five feet, establishing a safety-stop zone
between 15 and 20 feet.
4. Rewind the line while maintaining tension to ensure it does
not catch or snag.
5. Use a permanent marker to identify your reel; many reels
look alike.
Periodically unwind and rewind your reel to make sure the line
has not been damaged, especially if you lend it to someone.
It is better to replace a damaged line than to try to make a
repair. Routine maintenance will give you confidence that the
reel will function properly when you need it.
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DENNIS LIBERSON
STEPHEN FRINK
