Question re: "Safety Sausage"

[sytech]

I ordered a "safety sausage" called "Sea Me Dive Signal with Inflator".
It appears that it needs to be blown up orally or am I mistaken?

I could swear I've seen a type that you connect to your Octopus for a second or two and that inflates the tube?

Someone please straighten me out about this!

Thanks,

Sy

[sharkattack]

What is wrong with orally inflating

[DennisW]

There are safety sausages that are required to be inflated orally and there are those that are orally inflated or use your power inflator hose. Mine is orally inflated, my wife's is inflated either orally or with the power inflator hose. A bag that is inflated with your regulator using the purge valve is a lift bag, not a safety sausage.

[rottielover]

What about "oral" inflating with the reg still in your mouth? I saw a post on this the other day, and happened upon a video showing it (though it was not the subject of the video).

Basically they took the bag/sausage and held it up to the exhaust port of the reg and simply "blew" out, thus filling the bag with your exhale.

[TheRedHead]

Basically they took the bag/sausage and held it up to the exhaust port of the reg and simply "blew" out, thus filling the bag with your exhale.

That's the way I've always inflated my DSMB. Tilt your head so as to have the exhaust port ponted into the bag.

[Cacia]

Probably the best type for a diver not quite ready to "shoot" a bag from depth, the way the inflator style works, would be the type that opens at the bottom like a sock and receives the air from your reg purge (you could use an alternate). This, IMV is a nice compromise between the bouancy and dexterity demands of the inflator style (which I use) and the orally inflated ones (which are pretty slow to inflate). They can still be attached to a reel and deployed from the safety stop, probably a little safer (slower inflation, less likely to catch on you).

Once your bouancy and manual dexterity are all dialed in, opt for the inflator style. The reason I favor the stainless spool, is that I find the weight balances easier in my fingers on rapid deployment, keeping the spool in position to unfurl seamlessly.

[TheRedHead]

I could swear I've seen a type that you connect to your Octopus for a second or two and that inflates the tube?


You want a DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Bouy) or sometimes called just SMB. These are generally more expensive than "safety sausages." You also need a reel to use with it. Mine is a Dive Rite that I bought from Dive Rite Express.

[Cacia]

why is it called "delayed", Red? Do you use a reel or a finger spool?

[fire_diver]

I thought DSMB stood for Diver Submersible Marker Bouy. Maybe I'm wrong.

FD

[Charlie99]

why is it called "delayed", Red? Do you use a reel or a finger spool?A surface marker buoy is something used on the surface. It can also be towed much like a dive flag for the duration of the dive. OTOH, if you delay the deployment of the surface marker/sausage until near the end of the dive then is it a Delayed surface marker buoy.

I think the terminology was in frequent use over in the UK, and then migrated across the Atlantic.

[Diver Dennis]

Could this be the one from ScubaToys? It is inflated orally.

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Acc_signal.asp


AquaLung makes one that attaches to the BC.

http://www.aqualung.com/products/sos.html

[TheRedHead]

why is it called "delayed", Red? Do you use a reel or a finger spool?

I have no idea, but Charlie's explanation sounds good to me. I'm sure it is what you use where the tube has a hollow end with an overinflation valve. Put air in it and it shoots to the surface at the end of the reel.

Dive Rite Express calls it a "marking bag"

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/tools/liftbags.shtml

The sausage is called a "see me." Yuk.

[Jon C]

I bought the Halcyon 6 foot safety sausage because it is a closed circuit type and it can be inflated orally or via your inflator hose. I was surprised how quickly the inflator hose filled it. On the other hand, it took a few breaths to pump it up orally. The way I see it, if I need to use it, I could likely be out of breath so I like having both options. The closed circuit prevents repeated inflation.

By the way, I tried to get one that looked like "Otto Pilot" from the movie Airplane!, but wasn't comfortable with the inflator tube location.;)

Jon

[Diver Dennis]

The big SMB I use for big seas can be inflated either way and the small one I have is just oral inflate.

[Packhorse]

By the way, I tried to get one that looked like "Otto Pilot" from the movie Airplane!, but wasn't comfortable with the inflator tube location.;)

Jon

Haha.
I supose that way you would always have a buddy.

[Splitlip]

That's the way I've always inflated my DSMB. Tilt your head so as to have the exhaust port ponted into the bag.
Hi Red.
Are you horizontal when you do this? Or do you have to go a little vertical?
I am guessing you can do this with a reel, but probably not a spool, right?
Thanks.

[TheRedHead]

Hi Red.
Are you horizontal when you do this? Or do you have to go a little vertical?
I am guessing you can do this with a reel, but probably not a spool, right?
Thanks.

Horizontal and usually in a current so I position the bag so is is flowing in the current. I previously used a reel, but now I am using a spool (per my last tech instructor's gear reconfiguration). I've read objections to this method because of possible reg entanglement, but it takes more than one breath and if your reg is in the way, you can feel it on the first breath. I don't think it is an issue. When I release the bag and after the reel stops whizzing I put my head down and fin down to counter the positive bouyancy. If you can find 20 feet of water, it would be an ideal place to practice. The pool is really shallow and you don't get enough air expansion in the bag.

[Splitlip]

Got it. thanks.
Nice tips.
I have had no training in deployment. Just kind of watch and then experiment. I am new to the spool but decided to give up the line control you get from a reel's guide after I bird nested mine.
Thanks again

[Allison Finch]

If you have an SMB with a "straw type" inflator, I press it against my dive alert and it inflates just fine. Make sure if you deploy if from depth that it has an overpressure valve. It will burst if it doesn't.

[BKP]

I ordered a "safety sausage" called "Sea Me Dive Signal with Inflator".
It appears that it needs to be blown up orally or am I mistaken?

I could swear I've seen a type that you connect to your Octopus for a second or two and that inflates the tube?

Someone please straighten me out about this!

Thanks,

Sy

I just use my sausage as a surface signal (that is, once *I'm* on the surface), so I use the oral inflator. It's a one-way valve, works great, no problems.

If you're unfortunate enough to need it for an OOA/equip. malfunction, early pickup, the oral inflation might prove to be an advantage.

[rottielover]

Could this be the one from ScubaToys? It is inflated orally.

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Acc_signal.asp

Yep, that's the one I got, they call it a "duck bill" valve on the bottom ?

I have not yet had the oppertunity to play (opps, I mean "practice / train") with it yet, but it's got a dump valve on it and says it can be used as a light duty lift bag, so I figured why not, it's bigger than the other one's the LDS had :)

[BKP]

Yep, that's the one I got, they call it a "duck bill" valve on the bottom ?

I have not yet had the oppertunity to play (opps, I mean "practice / train") with it yet, but it's got a dump valve on it and says it can be used as a light duty lift bag, so I figured why not, it's bigger than the other one's the LDS had :)

Hey... that *is* nice...

(Everytime I log on here, it costs me money...) :(

[Charlie99]

.....so I figured why not, it's bigger than the other one's the LDS had :)The only reason for NOT gettting a bigger SMB is that is may increase the likelyhood that you leave it behind on the boat rather than bringing along for the dive. If you do find yourself ever doing this, then you should go buy a smaller one for those dives.

[Charlie99]

Make sure if you deploy if from depth that it has an overpressure valve. It will burst if it doesn't.Not necessarily. That's what I thought also, but since then have found that the popular "Sea Me" series can be launched fully inflated from 100'. http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=1654883&#post1654883 includes a photo of the very compact setup I use of 20' of 2mm cord wrapped around one of those sausages. A nice convenient way of launching a "don't run me over" signal to boats while at a 15' safety stop.

[Scuba Brian]

the halcyon sausages inflate with your low pressure inflator hose. It also has a dump valve on it so you can use it as a lightweight liftbag.

[Davwardo]

Or if you are truely lazy, get one of these ( DSMB ) with own self inflating cylinder mechanism:

http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=7363

DSMB are pretty mandatory for UK diving and are generally deployed coming off wrecks / end of dive or at safety stop.

[BigTuna]

The inflator on DAN's SMB can be used both ways: inflate it orally or connect it to your low pressure hose. I got one and use it for ocean diving. It's an excellent product. Here's the link:
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/eseries/source/orders/index.cfm?task=3&CATEGORY=FIRSTAID&PRODUCT_TYPE=SALES&SKU=641%2D1000&DESCRIPTION=&FindSpec=&CFTOKEN=30629007&continue=1&SEARCH_TYPE=

[roturner]

both types exist. The "beach ball" types need to be inflated on the surface and are strictly surface aids. If you want to inflate them under water then you need something with either an open end that you can fill up with your octopus (or by exhaling into it) or with a coupling for an LP inflator hose.

R..

[ShoalDiverSA]

The inflator on DAN's SMB can be used both ways: inflate it orally or connect it to your low pressure hose. I got one and use it for ocean diving. It's an excellent product. Here's the link:
...

BigTuna,

I am thinking of getting one of these. Is the bottom of the sausage sealed in some way to ensure air escapes through the OPV only? If so, how can it be orally inflated? My current sausage is the sock type with an open bottom, so I am not sure how this type operates. The open bottom type is not great for rough seas as the bottom invariably clears the surface between swells, leading to the air escaping.

Can you comment on the other equipment that is included in the kit - mirror, cyalume, BC bag?

Where do you clip this bag off? BP/harness D-ring/crotch strap D-ring(s)?

Sorry for all the questions, but I have to order this from Jo'burg unseen - need to get it right 1st time.

Thanks!

Cheers,

Andrew

[BigTuna]

BigTuna,

I am thinking of getting one of these. Is the bottom of the sausage sealed in some way to ensure air escapes through the OPV only? If so, how can it be orally inflated?...Can you comment on the other equipment that is included in the kit - mirror, cyalume, BC bag?...Where do you clip this bag off?OK, Andrew, here's info you and I would wish DAN would post on its web site about their "surface signal kit." FYI I've dived with it but haven't inflated it the water.

The DAN sausage is a sealed tube that's about 6 feet long. Rolled up it is a cylinder 7-1/2 inches long by 3 inches in diameter. The roll is cinched down with a velcro strap that wraps around the cyinder, reverses thru a plastic D-ring and secures to itself. The cinch strap has a 1-inch SS D-ring that you could use to attach the inflated sausage to your BCD with a double ended bolt snap. The rolled up package provides access to the signaling devices described below, and it displays DAN's international phone number prominently.

The sausage comes with a plastic snap hook. I removed this and tied on a SS bolt snap. I've dived with the sausage clipped to the rear D-ring on my crotch strap and to the right waist ring. It works fine in both places. I think it could be accordian-folded and carried in a backplate pouch.

There are three ways to inflate the sausage. Here's the first. At the bottom end is a cleverly-designed chamber welded into one side of the sausage. You can release gas from your second stage into the chamber. The gas is routed inside via a fish trap-shaped funnel that keeps most of the inflation gas inside, the same way some lift bags work. But when the sausage is fully inflated the trap is sealed closed by internal pressure pressing against it.

You can also inflate the sausage orally or using your LP inflator. Both of these options use an inflation tube mounted about 20 inches above the base. It is a 2-inch length of hard plastic with an elbow where it enters the sausage. It's capped with a 2-inch dual-purpose inflation device made of the same hard plastic. You can press your lips against this and blow, or you can make a non-locking connection with your LP hose.

Near the sausage's base is an overpressure valve that should allow you to deploy the sausage at depth. It has a lanyard, so you can manually control the pressure.

Nearly opposite the inflation tube is an adjustable velcro strap that runs halfway around the tube. It ought to be handy as a handle if you want to hold up the sausage and wave it around.

On the same side as this strap is a 5-foot long strip of reflective tape that runs down from the top of the sausage.

At the very top of the sausage is a plastic D-ring, and there's another a foot below the top. I imagine you could attach a strobe or slate to either of them. Between the two is a clear plastic pouch that is open on both ends and that will accept a light stick. Near the top are two bits of velcro that could also be used to secure a light stick.

The included light stick is about 6 inches long that the package says produces a green light good for 12 hours. The signaling mirror is 2 inches by 3 and has a sighting spot in the center. The whistle resembles a smaller version of the classic storm whistle. The mirror and whistle each have string lanyards attached. The three items store in a velcro-closed mesh pouch at the base of the sausage.

Whew!

[ShoalDiverSA]

Thank you for the comprehensive reply!

You're quite right, I do wish DAN had this info somewhere on their site. They clearly have a good product, which means nada when potential buyers can't find information about it on their site.

This is my first choice for a safety sausage, based on your description. It clearly fulfills the requirements that I had. With the variable sea conditions that we get on the Shoal, this is certainly not an optional piece of kit - and I am really not happy with the marker buoy that I have at the moment.

Thanks again for the detail - most useful.

Cheers,

Andrew