SMB type

[amtrosie]

Personally, I prefer to know the bag is on the surface before I leave the wreck as we can have strong tides running after the slack and I like to know the skipper can follow me as I drift off the wreck. Sending the line up from 40 or 30 mtrs requires a decent sized reel (IMO). I just clip the reel and bag to the cylinder D ring on my twin set before getting in and I never notice it is there. I've never got it caught up on anything yet.

DIR divers prefer to use a spool but what a pain in the arse to wind the line in again.

Oh, I don't know about difficult to wind up the line. I use a 1 or 2 meter SMB (3' or 5' for the US crowd) and pre-load a spool with about 150' (45 m.) of line. I place that in my left pocket, and when I leave the wreck, inflate the SMB, and release. The SMB has been clipped or secured to the reel, so let Boyle's Law do it's thing. Then as I ascend, I take in the line. It is not difficult, and is a great reference during deco. At the surface, either roll up the SMB, or clip the reel to it. Once on the boat, then you can "make it pretty". No muss, no fuss.

[Finless]

Oh, I don't know about difficult to wind up the line. I use a 1 or 2 meter SMB (3' or 5' for the US crowd) and pre-load a spool with about 150' (45 m.) of line. I place that in my left pocket, and when I leave the wreck, inflate the SMB, and release. The SMB has been clipped or secured to the reel, so let Boyle's Law do it's thing. Then as I ascend, I take in the line. It is not difficult, and is a great reference during deco. At the surface, either roll up the SMB, or clip the reel to it. Once on the boat, then you can "make it pretty". No muss, no fuss.

I didn't say 'difficult', I said 'PITA' which is not the same thing! IMO, of course.

I too use a sizeable DSMB as I wan't to know it is visible in the swell or waves and because it can support my weight if required. I like a nice big sturdy reel so I can winch myself up if need be.

[amtrosie]

I too use a sizeable DSMB as I wan't to know it is visible in the swell or waves and because it can support my weight if required. I like a nice big sturdy reel so I can winch myself up if need be.

HUH???? How much weight are running with anyhow? If you have to "winch" yourself up, don't you think a little less weight will go better for you on the dive? Or is this a language thing between the ponds?

[Finless]

HUH???? How much weight are running with anyhow? If you have to "winch" yourself up, don't you think a little less weight will go better for you on the dive? Or is this a language thing between the ponds?

It's a language thing. The "if need be" on the end of my sentence indicates that the 'winching' is not a normal occurrence but rather that "if it really hits the fan" during a dive then I should be able to winch myself up should I have no other option.

I suppose that "if it really hits the fan" might be another language thing? No, I'm sure that "sh*t hits the fan" was an import into the UK.

[bottlefish]

Scubapro and beaver both have a product that sounds similar, a small pouch that contains an DSMB, with 9 metres of line attached.

Personally, I'm happier with a reel and seperate SMB, means I can deploy as and when I need to, or as per the skippers requirements. As suggested in other threads, you can clip them on to one of the billy's on your BC when not in use, it doesn't cause any probs or get in the way.