Lesson learned...check your finger spool before deploying SMB

[jgoodstein]

I spent Sunday diving with the local dive club. We were having a treasure hunt Dive ( coin with # = certain prize). On my way back up from the wreck I was doing my safety stop, packing up my flashlight, and dropped my prize. :shocked2: On my next dive I told my buddies I was going to go grab another coin then catch up with them on the drift. I figured If i couldn't catch up with them I could deploy my SMB as planned on the boat (I bought the SMB and finger spool the day prior).

So I dive down and it took me a bit longer then i wanted, to locate a new coin, I won a nice double sided slate ( magnetic and regular). I knew my teams heading and set off to catch up. I went from 50 to 30 feet to conserve air and locate my buddies easier, as the drift was going to a reef, from the wreck. For one reason or another the current was really strong at 30' and took me pretty far south instead of south east. I found another group from the boat that was diving and partnered up with them till my air got low. At this point I decided to go do my safety stop and deploy my SMB. After about 3 min at 18-13' ( Currents were not being nice to me) I decided to deploy my SMB while I waited for 2 more minutes.

I unrolled my SMB and clipped my finger spool to my harness. Normally you would run the string through the clip to prevent it from unwinding, and before you use it you would "unclip" it to deploy the string. Well at that point in time i was at 18' and I inflated without unclipping the f'n string :shocked2: (I had about 2' of slack) and..well...Started shooting up very quickly. I managed to unclip the string rather quickly as I only went to 12'.. but extremely fast. Lesson learned, so for those out there buying SMB's and deploying them, don't forget to release "unclip " the string. had I done this deeper and before my safety stop bad things could have happened. It was a stupid mistake that I learned from and hopefully prevent someone else from doing. I knew better and felt Like I should own up to it, so to scubaboard I post my penance.

[OneRestlessNative]

Did you check the thread I started using a pretty simple idea to keep everything neat and tidy and as one unit?

DIY easy deploy SMB......

[ibj40]

Did you check the thread I started using a pretty simple idea to keep everything neat and tidy and as one unit?

DIY easy deploy SMB......

Could you post a link to that thread?

Thanks!

[OneRestlessNative]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/353860-diy-thumb-reel-line-keeper-ez-smb-deploy-stow.html

[Crush]

Glad you are OK!

My SMB is only ever clipped to me when it is stored. I deploy as follows:


Unclip one end of double-ended bolt snap to release SMB from my person;
Unroll SMB (Note: no "un-clipping" needs to be done at this stage with my setup);
Unclip other end of double-ended bolt snap to allow line to play out of finger spool;
Clip the to a D-ring somewhere so I don't lose it;
Switch to breathing octo (it is bungied under my neck);
Use primary regulator to fill SMB;
Launch it - keep hold of the spool!
Un-clip the double-ended bolt snap from D-ring, clip it onto the finger spool to keep line from playing out; and
Switch back to main reg;

[TSandM]

mpetryk's sequence is a good one.

It's never a good idea to have anything clipped off to you that has line attached to it, or air in it. Even if you have sent the bag to the surface successfully, you don't want to clip the spool off to you, because if a boat or something goes by and gets tangled in your line, you don't want to get hauled to the surface.

[DevonDiver]

Good lesson learned. Never, ever clip a reel to you when deploying an DSMB.

Onrestlessnatives' solution is a classic example of increasing equipment complexity to solve a skill-based problem. If the OP is getting confused by a single bolt-snap, then how would adding elastic bands, velcro etc etc help reduce his confusion and stress?

Deploying DSMB using a finger reel is a very simple skill. However, like any skill, it takes practice. Here is an excellent demo video that illustrates how the skill should be performed: 5thD-X DSMB Deployment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtpoGCzVWZs&feature=PlayList&p=3B5BF3683A29A2FC&index=1)

[Crush]

Deploying DSMB using a finger reel is a very simple skill. However, like any skill, it takes practice. Here is an excellent demo video that illustrates how the skill should be performed: 5thD-X DSMB Deployment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtpoGCzVWZs&feature=PlayList&p=3B5BF3683A29A2FC&index=1)

+1. I was looking for this video. Great!

[Cave Diver]

had I done this deeper and before my safety stop bad things could have happened.

Not necessarily. You've got the greatest pressure change in the first ATM, so the air in the bag will expand the most when shot from a shallower depth.

When shooting from a deeper depth, you don't need to add nearly as much gas to the bag. If you're deep enough, you just have to add enough gas for the bag to start heading up. Unless you just over fill it, it won't shoot up that fast and you should still have time to grab it and control it before it gets too far.

This isn't meant to undermine the need to pay attention, just pointing out that it's likely not as big an issue at depth as you might think.

[Crush]

No need to get pissy, just because I didn't see much value in your contraption.

You were the one who decided to post it into every DSMB thread running on the board. I just added a brief critique for the benefit of readers, before they go running to their local habberdashery shops in the false belief that there is some dreadful impossibility to the storage and deployment of a DSMB using finger reel and boltsnap.

I appreciate OneRestlessNative's ingenuity. I am not going to copy his design, but I believe that there is more than one way to skin a cat...

PS - I have nothing against cats.

[bracko]

I actually put mine back into my BCD pocket when i deploy. I hate the idea of it being clipped to me and I fear if ihold it I'll drop it and it'll be lost.

this way if i do get a tangle and start to shoot up, it's a case of unzipping my bcd and out it goes.

[DevonDiver]

this way if i do get a tangle and start to shoot up, it's a case of unzipping my bcd and out it goes.

I am always amazed at how people's understanding of 'safety' varies.

I wouldn't chance my life on whether a zipper stuck or not.....

[Cave Diver]

I wouldn't chance my life on whether a zipper stuck or not.....

That's why you carry a knife... ;)

[NetDoc]

The most common mistake for peeps to make is to not unclip the double ender from the spool and then to attach it to your D ring before going any further. Personally, I see nothing complex about OneRestlessNative's mini-spool and in fact it appears to simplify the process in regards to unclipping the double ender. It would be easy enough to stow an extra double ender on one of your D rings so you can easily lock in depth. or just loop the line into a hole and over the spool. Then there is no temptation to clip the thing to you! :ijs:

[Blackwood]

That's why you carry a knife... ;)

In a zipper pocket... :D

[Splitlip]

Good lesson learned. Never, ever clip a reel to you when deploying an DSMB.

Onrestlessnatives' solution is a classic example of increasing equipment complexity to solve a skill-based problem. If the OP is getting confused by a single bolt-snap, then how would adding elastic bands, velcro etc etc help reduce his confusion and stress?

Deploying DSMB using a finger reel is a very simple skill. However, like any skill, it takes practice. Here is an excellent demo video that illustrates how the skill should be performed: 5thD-X DSMB Deployment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtpoGCzVWZs&feature=PlayList&p=3B5BF3683A29A2FC&index=1)

Is the (little) marker pre-rigged in the video? Is that right? What if he needs the spool?

Just saying.

[Ben_ca]

Is the (little) marker pre-rigged in the video? Is that right? What if he needs the spool?

Just saying.

You detach the spool from the bag... tug on the knot and pass spool thru loop. Return bag to pocket and use spool.

[bracko]

I am always amazed at how people's understanding of 'safety' varies.

I wouldn't chance my life on whether a zipper stuck or not.....

*shrug*

the chances of a zip failing the 2" inbetween it being half open letting the reel out and open enough to release the whole reel is a lot lower than many other aspects of diving.

[sambolino44]

The more experience I get, the better my skills get, and the simpler and more versatile my kit gets.

And please stop calling the OH (Original Hijacker) the OP.

[Blackwood]

Is the (little) marker pre-rigged in the video? Is that right? What if he needs the spool?

He'd take it off (assuming he'd already exhausted the other spool(s) he carries on dives where spools may be necessary). It's just hitched on. Assuming there's a handy-dandy woody (little loop on top of the big loop), it's easy to do in a few seconds even in cold water gear.

[Quero]

I've moved the bulk of the discussion regarding a modification of a finger spool to the DIY forum where there is already an ongoing thread on exactly the same topic: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/353860-diy-thumb-reel-line-keeper-ez-smb-deploy-stow.html. Please continue to use the current thread here to discuss how (not) to deploy an SMB.

[Splitlip]

He'd take it off (assuming he'd already exhausted the other spool(s) he carries on dives where spools may be necessary). It's just hitched on. Assuming there's a handy-dandy woody (little loop on top of the big loop), it's easy to do in a few seconds even in cold water gear.

I would argue for all intents and purposes it is permanantly attached if wearing gloves.
I've tried it with 1/2 mil gloves. I suspect with DS gloves the knife would come out, LOL.

[Blackwood]

Do you have the second loop? I can unrig my spool in 5mm wet gloves. I've never tried in dry.

If rigged like this, I agree it probably isn't coming off in thick gloves:

http://www.divematrix.com/gallery/data/506/Pre-rigged_SMB_2.jpg

I unfortunately don't have a picture of one of mine handy, but what I mean is kinda like this:

http://www.scubahawk.com/images/miniflatreel_25.jpg

That tiny loop is tied on top of the main loop (with which you hitch the line). I can grab that little loop to unhitch the big one.

[Splitlip]

Do you have the second loop? I can unrig my spool in 5mm wet gloves. I've never tried in dry.

Got point. I do not. But wouldn't the second loop constitute an entanglement hazard. :D

I guess I'll be adding one.

[Splitlip]

OK, just now seeing your pic.

Wouldn't the second loop be on the top of the loop run through the d-ring?

[Blackwood]

deathtrap for sure.

It ends up like this:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/attachments/basic-scuba-discussions/83165d1285866600-lesson-learned-check-your-finger-spool-before-deploying-smb-untitled.jpg

Pull the little loop in the direction of the arrow and your hitched loop opens wide. Then just pull the spool back through it and it's free. Mini loop only has to be big enough to easily grab.

[Splitlip]

LOL.

I missed this too in your first post.

"little loop on top of the big loop"

Thanks for the good information.

[Blackwood]

I missed this too in your first post.

"little loop on top of the big loop"

No worries. When I was writing that, I was thinking "how's this for confusing" anyway. :D

Picture = 1000 words, so an incomplete picture + MS paint is probably worth 500.

[OneRestlessNative]

No worries. When I was writing that, I was thinking "how's this for confusing" anyway. :D

Picture = 1000 words, so an incomplete picture + MS paint is probably worth 500.

Whats a video worth? :D Pretty sure this is what you are talking about.

YouTube - SMB Set up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlT4RKfLzG0&feature=related)

Another unique and different way using a short length of bungie as well as a plastic bead.
YouTube - How to Use a Spool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieit6hG15fw&NR=1)

Or you could get one of these and call it a day.
YouTube - What Works, Works! - Safety Reel Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ew5FyoUkXU&NR=1)

[Blackwood]

A video is worth its length times its framerate times the already established 1000 (words/frame).

Assuming 30fps, that first clip is worth 3.36 million words, which is interesting since - although there is sound - he didn't speak a single one.

What's the lesson here? It's perhaps unwise to ask an engineer a rhetorical question that can actually be computed :P