I wonder if those of you who have regularly deployed one of these critters at depth have any preference between open vs closed circuit design. In thinking inflation through, it would seem that an open circuit smb (inflated at the open bottom) would be pretty simple to deploy at depth, but might not be quite as easy to keep inflated and visible at the surface, while the closed circuit design (using a valve to inflate) would might be just the opposite - a skill to master at depth, but would remain inflated at the surface more easily.
I've used my closed circuit SMB a time or two at the surface with no issues, but I anticipate diving in conditions which will require me to blow a bag at a my safety stop so the boat an locate me before I drift too far to be seen/heard. I think those of you who've done Scapa Flow might know what I am talking about here.
TIA
Mark
I've used my closed circuit SMB a time or two at the surface with no issues, but I anticipate diving in conditions which will require me to blow a bag at a my safety stop so the boat an locate me before I drift too far to be seen/heard. I think those of you who've done Scapa Flow might know what I am talking about here.
TIA
Mark