I am very much a fan of the AP Diving "Self sealing dSMB with inflation cylinder" All of my diving is ocean diving
For those who've never seen one, it's a 6' dSMB with an attached 0.1l (0.003cuf) 232bar (3300psi) rated cylinder which you fill from your main cylinder pre dive. You can also inflate the dSMB via a reg at the bottom.
Why do I like it? Firstly it's very easy to inflate, crack open the bottle and off it goes. Whether you're at a stop in trim or in a current, its very easy
It arrives at the surface fully inflated no matter what depth you shoot it from. It is so rigid that you can hold it by the bottle and wave vertically it over your head if you need added height or to attract attention
On the surface the baffle works well allowing two diver to hang off it as additional buoyancy whilst waiting for a boat.
Mine is over 3 years old, and has been inflated at least 300 times, and it is still going strong. Yes it's a bit faded and the AP name is peeling off, but it doesn't leak. If it can stand up to the rigours of the Middle East environment then it will be good anywhere.
The cost will be off putting to some, because of the cylinder it is more bulky than a standard dSMB, but mine fits into a waist pocket on my wing. The cylinder is rolled into the dSMB so no chance of it being inflated while in your pocket (you do need a good twist to open the valve)
I also carry a 12' dSMB, but in reality that's for inflation at the surface and only in a dire situation
For those who've never seen one, it's a 6' dSMB with an attached 0.1l (0.003cuf) 232bar (3300psi) rated cylinder which you fill from your main cylinder pre dive. You can also inflate the dSMB via a reg at the bottom.
Why do I like it? Firstly it's very easy to inflate, crack open the bottle and off it goes. Whether you're at a stop in trim or in a current, its very easy
It arrives at the surface fully inflated no matter what depth you shoot it from. It is so rigid that you can hold it by the bottle and wave vertically it over your head if you need added height or to attract attention
On the surface the baffle works well allowing two diver to hang off it as additional buoyancy whilst waiting for a boat.
Mine is over 3 years old, and has been inflated at least 300 times, and it is still going strong. Yes it's a bit faded and the AP name is peeling off, but it doesn't leak. If it can stand up to the rigours of the Middle East environment then it will be good anywhere.
The cost will be off putting to some, because of the cylinder it is more bulky than a standard dSMB, but mine fits into a waist pocket on my wing. The cylinder is rolled into the dSMB so no chance of it being inflated while in your pocket (you do need a good twist to open the valve)
I also carry a 12' dSMB, but in reality that's for inflation at the surface and only in a dire situation