Best DSMB?

[djanni]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Does anyone else have any thoughts on what DSMB I should consider getting?

Dive Rite Marking Bag, Yellow: http://www.diveriteexpress.com/tools/liftbags.shtml

Good as any, better than most. Carter bags are probably the most rugged but thick material means they don't roll up very compactly.

 

[Wildcard]

Orange is better in bright light, yellow in low light and pink is best in all light conditions. Who is gonna be the first to dive with a pink sausage? Look at the tops of fighter survival rafts if you don't believe me.

 

[Rainer]

DJ, the Dive Rite model is $100 (at least according to the link you gave). Any reason to prefer this model over the others I originally listed (all cheaper)? Thanks!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have the DAN tube and really like it. BTW wider is probably better. mine has reflective strip, holder for light stick, another velcro tab that a message could be attached to and I believe it is rated at about 30 lbs of lift.

 

[khacken]

The one at ScubaToys is open on the bottom, so it could defate on the surface. They do have a Manta bag that looks promising, but it is pricey. Like 80-89 if I remember right.

 

[Rainer]

Is the DAN model open at the end? Can it be inflated with an octo?

 

[flw]

AP valves auto-inflating one - a bit bulkier to carry than the one without the cylinder, but a whole lot easier (and quicker) to put up mid-water. Pretty much universal among British divers.
Yellow is emergency only, so carry a 2nd one in yellow as a back up.

 

[String]

You might ask a pilot. He would like to see it in yellow.

Tests have shown orange mor visible from boats, yellow from the air.

That said a dsmb shouldnt really be bought as an aerial signal device as its main intended use - its for boats.

I use a buddy self inflating DSMB. This means that as well as using a 2nd stage, airgun or on surface, mouth to inflate it has a small 0.1l cylinder that can be refilled so you can inflate it from anywhere instantly without purging a reg etc.

http://www.apvalves.com/smbci.html

Edit:- id also agree with flw above, yellow is generally accepted to be an emergency signal so out of gas and so on whereas orange is "normal". Id avoid two-colour bags for that reason and go for entirely orange.

 

[DivesWithTurtles]

The one at ScubaToys is open on the bottom, so it could defate on the surface. ...

No, that one (like many) is self-sealing. Air goes in the bottom, but doesn't come out. You use the relief valve to deflate it.

... Edit:- id also agree with flw above, yellow is generally accepted to be an emergency signal so out of gas and so on whereas orange is "normal". Id avoid two-colour bags for that reason and go for entirely orange.

The orange vs. yellow convention only seems to hold true in the UK and maybe elsewhere in the EU. In the rest of the world no such distinction is made.

 

[String]

Ive seen yellow used in the USA as well as elsewhere for emergency signal.