Rich Keller
Contributor
Great questions MeraSonnett,
Please know you are not alone with these questions, in fact you are in the majority. Some great replies came up but we need to add the benefit of deploying an SMB (or DSMB) is also to alert all of the boat traffic (especially in popular spots like COZ) that we are on a safety/DECO stop just below the surface. With thousands of stops under my belt I still get a bit concerned when boats fly right above my head where I am about to surface. It is also worth adding that from a boat captains stand point it can be a real lifesaver with multiple teams surfacing in multiple areas, especially if the weather and/or seas turn inclement.
I would have to disagree with part of this. Sending up a SMB as a prearranged signal to your charter boat is fine but I do not think it is going to deter other boat traffic very well. Many boaters do not know what a dive flag means and some that do just don't care so far less boaters will know what a SMB is for. You are more likely to attract boaters when you send it up and they will want to come over to see what this thing is that just popped up and what it is attached to that is leaking air. Even a well intentioned boater could see this pop up, read the "diver below" sign and think you are in distress and will pull you up in an attempt to help.