DSMB importance

[ScubaBadger32]

im gonna get a red one AND a yellow i think, that seems like a good idea cause yellow usually means emergency i think

Interesting. I've read plenty about people shooting DSMB's as a regular practice when surfacing and doing a deco stop, and have wondered how someone on the boat can differentiate between that and a DSMB that means "I'm in trouble". I suppose it might be determined by what kind of diving you're doing - unless you're in a situation where entrapment might be an issue, why would you shoot a bag to say you've got a problem when surfacing would be an option.

 

[Gareth J]

im gonna get a red one AND a yellow i think, that seems like a good idea cause yellow usually means emergency i think

I have a sneaky suspicion, that the USA does things backwards. (Like driving on the wrong side of the road.)

Yellow = OK
Red = Emergency.

I am sure someone will feedback on this.

 

[ScubaBadger32]

I have a sneaky suspicion, that the USA does things backwards. (Like driving on the wrong side of the road.)

Yellow = OK
Red = Emergency.

I am sure someone will feedback on this.

yeah someone please help! just dont want to accidently use an incorrect one. @tbone1004 might know!

 

[Centrals]

Colour has no meaning unless it is agreed between the diver and the boat captain. I have seen orange, red, yellow, white and multi-coloured(two).
One is absolute minimum and two is better and make sure they are stowed securely.
Size does matter but do not over do it!

 

[scubadada]

In SE Florida, at least for rec diving, there is no color convention regarding routine use and emergency. Some are orange, some are yellow, some are half orange and half yellow, some are pink. I don't do tech diving, perhaps they have a convention and/or communicate it ahead of time.

Most of the diving in SE Florida is drift, nearly everyone dives with a DSMB, many operators require it, especially if flags are not being carried by all solo divers and groups

 

[BlueTrin]

im gonna get a red one AND a yellow i think, that seems like a good idea cause yellow usually means emergency i think

I think you want two of the same colour in case you mess up the first deployment.

Usually you’d use a third one of a different colour to signal issues.

Or you can have two of different colour and do not tell the boat operator anything so he won’t treat them as emergency. Then you can decide later if you want a third one?

Size does matter but do not over do it!

I know what thread you read last night!

 

[ScubaBadger32]

I think you want two of the same colour in case you mess up the first deployment.

Usually you’d use a third one of a different colour to signal issues.

Or you can have two of different colour and do not tell the boat operator anything so he won’t treat them as emergency. Then you can decide later if you want a third one?



I know what thread you read last night!

What do you mean, I can’t deploy a 16 foot DSM be at 20 meters? What???

/s

 

[stretchthepenn]

how important is it to have a DSMB, and should i get one? what do i need to look out for when getting a DSMB and reel?

DSMBs are moderately important depending on where you're diving, and their optimal characteristics vary in the same way.

If you're in enclosed water (e.g., a quarry), they're not particularly useful. If you're diving in the open ocean -- and especially if you're drift-diving -- it's a very good idea to carry one. You might even want two. Or three.

The optimal size depends on multiple conditions, primary of which are the dive site's depth and the height of any waves.

• Shallow-ish dives will probably dictate a smaller DSMB. You can't inflate a huge bag effectively from a shallow depth.
• Tall waves will require a taller bag.
• Most divers select a 3' to 6' bag. You can find strong opinions for both ends of the size spectrum.

Open- or closed-bottom design is a matter of debate and personal preference.

• Open-bottom will let you inflate a DSMB with captured exhalation bubbles. They're relatively easy to work with, but they can deflate on the surface from wave action, loose downlines, being dragged along the water, or a combination of these factors.
• Closed-bottom will require you to inflate through a nipple, either via an LP inflator hose or orally. They're less convenient to work with, but they stay inflated.

Also speaking of inflation, there are models that use pre-packaged CO2 cylinders (basically Whip-Its, like you'd use in a whipped-cream dispenser) and models that use "crack bottles," which are just tiny refillable tanks. Those are usually Euro/English, though, and uncommon in the US.

DSMB colors have no meaning unless there are local conventions (see @Gareth J 's posts above re: English standards) or if the diver has made special arrangements with topside bubble-watchers.

Two DSMBs together indicate either (a) there's trouble underwater and the diver needs help or (b) the primary DSMB has failed and the diver is using a backup on the same line.

Spools vs. reels... Both are plausible solutions, and again, you'll find lots of strong opinions about the merits and disadvantages of both. If you choose a spool, I suggest getting one that has a generously-sized hole in the center; you'll be less likely to get your thumb caught and get a nasty injury.

Whether you choose a spool or reel, line length is critical. Ensure the length is at least 1.5x the depth from which you release the DSMB in order to allow for currents.

 

[tbone1004]

yeah someone please help! just dont want to accidently use an incorrect one. @tbone1004 might know!

There are no established standards for DSMB color. Some operators may have them individually but there is no universal color standard.

I tend to believe in 2 types of DSMB's.
First is as small as practical with solas tape on top. Deep Sea Supply made the best little one out there and I love mine. Just big enough for a boat to see if you if they're looking for you from the surface and small enough that you can pull it all the way back down if you ever had to/wanted to and had a coin style OPV that didn't take up any space and didn't have a spring. The only time color would matter is if you had two of them and had some sort of agreed upon notice with the surface on what they mean but that would likely only be for big technical dives where you were either sending one up to tell them you were ready for a support diver to come and take cameras/dpv's/bottles or had some sort of emergency issue and needed extra bottles brought down, etc etc. This is way outside of any norm though so just get whatever is cheap and works because the odds of you using it for anything other than just marking your spot on the surface until you ascend is pretty minimal.

Second is the oh **** buoy and that should be as big as possible. The captains will generally tell you that yellow/green is easier to see than orange and a lot of safety devices are going to that color standard away from the blaze/safety orange which can be difficult to see at dusk. I like this one to have a fairly long webbing leash on the bottom so you can put a leg through it to half "sit" on it or clip to your crotch d-ring which keeps it upright but also gives you some extra positive buoyancy. I tend to prefer the Nautilus for this purpose, but I do carry it because if you're close and can see the boat it will work well enough. I have one that is orange and one that is yellow/green for some reason but only ever bring the yellow/green one.

I carry a pair of them, but only because they serve completely different purposes vs. having different meanings. I would not worry about carrying two of the same in different colors to indicate to the surface you need different things unless you are doing staged decompression dives. If you're doing recreational diving then just pop to the surface and get everything sorted and get on surface O2 vs trying to fix something in the water.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I carry two for big water if doing recreational dives(one small, one large). 3 if tech. The two small ones are 36 inch HOG DSMBs that have mini dumps and only have about 8-10 lbs of lift fully inflated at the surface. I use this size to teach DSMB deployment because you can use them in a 9-10 ft deep pool and put enough air in to get them to the surface and pull them back down easily to practice.
One is orange and the other yellow. Of course it's discussed with the boat op but generally understood that orange means someone is below and doing a stop and everything is ok. Yellow means there's an issue and to look for a note.
The large is either a 6ft DAN or HOG DSMB that would generally get inflated on the surface. I can shoot it from depth as I've practiced it a lot. But the length generally is a pain in the butt to deal with, especially if there's a current. The lift (40-60lbs) doesn't bother me but can be very intimidating to someone who doesn't practice with it all the time. In that case the lift and length present a very real safety hazard.
I believe that starting out with a smaller one and getting very comfortable with it is key to moving into a larger one if the diver plans on shooting it from depth. In reality though, many situations only require the smaller one with an attentive boat crew in good conditions and small waves/chop.
All you are doing is using it to give yourself a visual and tactile reference for the ascent.