You’re Doing It WRONG - How To Deploy A DSMB

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How to Prep a Finger Spool ▶️ • THIS Is How To Prep A ...
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Knowing how to deploy a DSMB (delayed surface marker buoy) is not too difficult of a task, but it can be a bit more challenging than you may think at first glance. Most open-water divers learn how to deploy a SMB (surface marker buoy, also known as a safety sausage) at the surface, but never learn how to shoot a DSMB from underwater. This is a handy skill for when you're on a drift dive, when you need an ascent line, when you're decompressing, and in general to just mark your position while you're still underwater. This video explains how to deploy a DSMB using oral inflation, primary inflation, octo inflation, or LPI inflation.
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At Circle H Scuba, we share education and experiences you'll love to plan your next adventure. As a PADI Professional Scuba Instructor, I want to make you a better-informed scuba diver!
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[@vnoockthebrain]

One more thing: Before inflating look up to check if there is someone or something (a diver or a boat) direct above you. It's an important thing, because it happened already, that a DSMB took another diver to surface and entangle him with the line.

[@CircleHScuba]

Yes! I mention it super briefly near the end and that should’ve been more prominent, great callout

[@davelundergoesunder]

Excellent video. I finally successfully deployed a dsmb twice on the last two tank dive I did. It is definitely an acquired skill. I had no formal training doing it, just watching videos. I think your video was the best on this subject. You covered a lot.

[@CircleHScuba]

Congrats!! Keep practicing and it’ll get easier with time

[@isenmileshamson4603]

I learned it through trial and error!! 😅 The DSMB's inflate and stay well at the surface when deployed at 18m onwards!!

[@stuartseldon1737]

One other thing is that it's important to discuss deployment with the boat crew. Most Captains like divers to deploy them in my experience, but not all. One place we dive, D/SMBs are only to be used in cases where assistance is needed or in an emergency. I don't personally understand this, but it's always best to follow the Captain's preferences.

[@CircleHScuba]

That’s a good point. I’m also unsure why some crews prefer this, though I feel like they may think it’s unnecessary for everyone to deploy (which is true) and only the dive leader needs to, so unnecessarily deploying means more time getting back on the boat and resetting your DSMB and reel/spool up, and they want to stay on schedule.

[@sparksi2519]

It really is a shame that outside of tropical waters and where divers are expected to be, boaters DO NOT KNOW what that thing is. Two stories: 1) After a dive we decided to head back into a shallow bay to do some drills and breathe our already low tanks completely dry. 5 meters at most, easy does it. Lastly both of us send our sausages up and then we hear it. Jet skis. They start slaloming our sticks not more than 3 meters apart. Great stuff. After confronting them with less than the intermediate pressure in my reg, we get the usual "How were we supposed to know?!" Well, YOU OUGHT TO KNOW! Both sausages were the basic orange, with a red diver flag (to be fair, here in Finland the blue-white "alpha flag" is more generally used). 2) I was hanging out at my friends "yacht" (a boat, he calls it a yacht) and no surprise there were multiple people who are into boating, have boats and whatnot. I googled a picture of a dsmb standing upright in water and asked them if any knew recognize which "sea mark" that is. Only one of them knew. Turned out he was a diver.

[@CircleHScuba]

I’ve had jet skis kick our DSMBs as well. It’s terrible :/

[@davelundergoesunder]

It's true most boaters have no idea what that marker is. Same with a surface marker buoy which displays an actual dive flag..

[@pandemicoftheunvaccinated5367]

Sometimes, I get it right but, you're right no one ever showed me how to deploy. I remember one deployment-the string wrapped around my neck thankfully, the dive master stopped me before I inflated.

[@CircleHScuba]

Holy cow that’s scary!! It’s a skill that just takes practice like any other skill. It’s not TOO difficult, but there are a lot of little things to manage and it’s one of those things everyone thinks is easy until they try it haha. Then they’re at the surface wondering how they got there or picking up their reel that dropped and now they have to reel all their line in 😅

[@stuartseldon1737]

Nicely done... I agree with not using the exhaust t to inflate. That has so many entanglement "options" it should never be used. It could easily yank the reg out of the diver's mouth as well as dragging them up towards the surface.

[@CircleHScuba]

Some people swear by it and I just don’t love it at all, haha. Thanks for the comments!

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

It’s always easy till you got to do it. Especially when instructor is watching

[@CircleHScuba]

So true 🤣🤣

[@CircleHScuba]

In my case my course director buddy filming me 😬

[@thejamiecaldwell]

Really nice demo, thank you!

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed

[@tobiashartung856]

You forgot there are DSMBs that get inflated with CO2 cartridges and there are some that inflate via a crack bottle. I want you to try to assemble a DSMB on a safety stop when the weather is choppy or the water cold and you are using thick gloves ;) Preassembled is so much easier.

[@CircleHScuba]

Definitely forgot about those styles!

[@CircleHScuba]

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[@UNgineering]

I tried all 4 methods for deploying DSMB, and I have to agree, the oral method is the best. When I used LP hose, the dsmb almost ripped the spool out of my hands because it filled up so quickly.

[@CircleHScuba]

Yeah the LPI method is scary to me 🤣

[@forgottenmatter4543]

Yeah. I have to agree with you. All a dsmb is, is another bladder for your bcd.

[@mariagabriel4647]

My cold lips can't seal on the nozzle enough - so most of my exhaled air goes into the water, not the DSMB

[@mariagabriel4647]

Oral; just blow bubbles for me. My cold lips don't seal on the nozzle enough

[@skier4evr]

@@mariagabriel4647 Have you tried blowing through the LP valve? Just make sure you push it in as you exhale, it should do the job...

[@souswes]

I use my mouth to add a little air to stabilize it. Then use the octo method. I have a bad habit of wanting it fully inflated at the surface so I dump all my air, and give a deep exhale as I’m putting gas in before releasing it

[@CircleHScuba]

Good tip too! Never thought to mix the inflation techniques 🤣🤦‍♂️

[@johnmartin828]

I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this yet but when you are inflating the DSMB make sure the line doesn’t run around your finger holding the reel because when it shoots to the surface it can slice through your finger. This happened to me and thankfully I released the reel. Funnily enough the reel unraveled during ascent and I caught it on its way back down.

[@CircleHScuba]

Good call out!

[@evolvedmonkey9978]

I use a DSMB regularly when I dive with my dive shop, but when I'm with someone else, and because the area of our dives is a limited area, I usually use the DSMB and also an anchored buoy that I inflate before the dive with a diver's flag to give me more safety on the place we are going to ascend, we use the cable of the buoy to help descend and ascend that has a mark for the safety stop, a DSMB is enough, but because I also navigate vessels and know many people don't care about anyone but themselves I make sure they see the buoy in at least 500 meters.

[@CircleHScuba]

Glad to hear you’re using one regularly! It’s crazy how many people never touch one! I think the marker is just needed in higher boat traffic areas of course, but in general for safety to mark your location so you’re not just a little head bobbing on the water haha

[@evolvedmonkey9978]

@@CircleHScuba These dives are all in the Ocean, and near a popular beach you only reach by boat, because there are so many passing motorboats, sailboats, rowboats, etc I make sure, even for those that don't know much about buys and safety rules "those that are on the vessels" that they need to stay away from that buoy, at least, 200 meters by law

[@CircleHScuba]

@evolvedmonkey9978 yeah unfortunately a lot of boats don’t adhere to that rule. I’ve had jet skis 10 feet above me with my DSMB up. They said they wanted to read what it said. That’s why I mentioned that one specifically in this video.

[@evolvedmonkey9978]

@@CircleHScuba That type of behavior is not that rare, some months ago, some guy came near our DSBM with a motor boat because he thought that the DSBM was a distress call alarm, so.. as good Samaritan he did even worse he came almost on top of it to see if he could help lol.

[@CircleHScuba]

@evolvedmonkey9978 gosh, I wish there was better control over people like that 🤦‍♂️

[@wongke]

Great job

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks!

[@wkolcz]

Love the content. Funny I only have been trained during my trainings on a DSMB and never actually never seen a SMB in a dive shop for sale. Very interesting. Thanks!

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed! That’s absolutely insane to me that you don’t see them in shops. 😱 I hope that it’s just you didn’t see it versus them not carrying it 😱

[@wkolcz]

@@CircleHScuba Again, I could be wrong but everything I have seen, and when I purchased mine, I only saw DSMBs. So, what is the benefit of purchasing a marker that can only be deployed at the surface and not one that can be done with both? Or can you not, since I have never tried, inflate a DSMB at the surface? Thanks! BTW: Your video on how to thread a can band has saved my butt a few times :D

[@CircleHScuba]

@wkolcz haha glad that cam band video helped too! It’s the video I needed until I finally memorized it 🤣 DSMBs can be inflated at the surface too. Some people say start with a SMB unless trained to deploy underwater because it’s “right tool for the job” and to take things in steps versus jumping into deploying underwater with entanglement hazards. I think for most, I’d just go the DSMB route personally.

[@wkolcz]

@@CircleHScuba Good point about the entanglement hazards. I also carry two DSMBs for every dive.

[@marioarmani8540]

Excellet excplanation

[@CircleHScuba]

Thank you!

[@user-fj1wx9uc2i]

I love the shirt, question if I inflate my DSMB out of the water it kind of deflaltes again, so it does not stay as hard as I inflated it. is this normal or does my dsmb have a problem?

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks! Picked it up at Ocean Encounters, my favorite operator I’ve ever experienced and I’ve dove with them 3 times now in sunny Curaçao 😎 Your DSMB shouldn’t deflate like that, but it’s a bit hard to diagnose over text without seeing a pic of how your DSMB is set up. There’s self sealing bottoms on some, others need to be sealed so they may lose some air. I’d also take a look at your over pressure valve (dump valve) if you have one and see if that’s set up properly and the seal isn’t messed up. Then if you have an oral inflation option, check that too. Best bet is to take it to a local dive shop to have them take a quick look if needed. You can also test some at home by filling it, then hold it underwater and see if there are bubbles to find where it’s leaking.

[@semyonl4120]

Problem with oral inflation is that it's best at depth or with low volume dsmb. If you are at 5 meters safety stop and you have a high volume smb, it usually won't fill it with enough air to be properly standing at the surface (at least, not mine) thus reducing visibility. Then you try to add more air by breathing in a second time and then the problems start :) So, you should either do it a bit deeper or bring a low volume dsmb so that x1.5 expansion rate of your one breath would be equal entire dsmb volume. I think oral inflation is good though, you just don't need huge DSMB on every other dive (save it for choppy conditions) - or be prepared and start inflating deeper to fill it in with just one breath.

[@CircleHScuba]

Definitely a good point. It’s relative to the size of the DSMB and depth and all of that for sure. I can get oral inflation at about 5m to work to stand up my 4 foot SMB (I think that’s 1.2m?) but it’s definitely not “full” I just pull the line down and it still stands up. If I’m staying at the surface once I do come up, I’ll inflate it more as needed. Maybe not the BEST option but it still works for my need. You definitely bring up a good point though

[@semyonl4120]

@CircleHScuba yeah, it might work for some people, but not for me - my lung capacity (since i am quite small overall) allows me to fill mine roughly half of its size if I inflate at 5m. So when I put tension on it, it becomes submerged more than half of its length which kinda kills the purpose :) of course if I think of it as just an emergency signal in huge waves, I'll just inflate it completely at the top as you mentioned. But I might be already far from the boat by the time I ascend with half-way submerged dsmb though :(

[@CircleHScuba]

@semyonl4120 totally makes sense! Luckily we have other ways to inflate haha

[@domingoalvarez5852]

like the shirt! 🐟🐟🐟

[@CircleHScuba]

Hey thanks! Haha

[@Ilmmic]

One question,I have my spool and dsmb always prepared and attached to each other , so that I don’t have to fiddle around and connecting both items when I want to shoot the dsmb. Is there any advantage or thing that I overlooked, to have spool and buoy separate from each other and connect them under water?

[@CircleHScuba]

Honestly I’ve heard it’s preference. No real specific reason to do one or the other. I’ve seen people carry a smaller spool and larger one, keeping one always attached and just swapping underwater if needed for more length (for example). I’ve also seen people keep separate like me because they may not have pockets (warm water diving for example, may not have a wetsuit and a backplate & wing usually doesn’t have pockets unless specifically added) or pockets that are large enough to contain both in the same spot, so they keep them separate. I’ve just always kept it separate and don’t have an issue connecting them. But I can see advantages of it being pre assembled in more of an emergency too.

[@Ilmmic]

@@CircleHScuba thank you very much 🙏 in this case I guess I leave it like it is just to have this one step less for the deploy of the damn. Thanks again a thanks for your content

[@CircleHScuba]

@Ilmmic no problem at all! Sorry for the late reply. It’s good task loading training to have to rig one underwater, but otherwise I think it’s fine to leave attached if you can store it that way without issue

[@IreneWY]

Lost the clip the first time I tried to deploy it. I tried different methods, but using the octopus worked best for me 😅 exhaust bubbles didn't work at all. And I'd be too anxious to disconnect the low pressure hose from the bcd 😅

[@CircleHScuba]

It’s a good method too! Not great in long hose configuration but then you can work on oral or otherwise haha

[@IreneWY]

@@CircleHScuba I am a newbie diver, less than 30 dives. Holding, exhaling, letting go, purging, inhaling all at the same time... Just the thought is overwhelming 😅

[@CircleHScuba]

Oh wow congrats on being certified recently!! In that case, I wouldn’t worry too much about this skill yet. Deploying one from the surface is important but underwater it’s okay if you need time to learn it.

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Oh wow I wasn't expecting to be flashed by the DSMB that I'm getting😂

[@CircleHScuba]

🤣

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

@@CircleHScuba oh and by the way if you're wondering which color it's going to be it's going to be orange just like your fins😁👍

[@jkowall]

Nice vid! I would suggest shooting bags vertical vs horizontal, it's easier to do the checks around you and up before you launch it. Also less of a chance of being entangled. Being primarily a drift diver I am shooting bags pretty regularly, typically I shoot them at 90ft and start heading up, giving the captain 5 minutes of notice before I surface. I dive an H valve with two redundant regulators. I prefer running a second inflator hose off the other reg for redundancy and shooting bags. Sealed bags are easier to manage IMO and nicer SMBs (like Halcyon) have nice metal connectors and lifetime warranties.

[@CircleHScuba]

Tec diving is definitely different than the recreational set up I’m diving in this video. Not a bad tip on vertical but I don’t personally recommend it because I’d rather be in trim. In tec especially, needing to hold 18-20ft I don’t want to go vertical to shoot a bag for my hang time. But I also don’t think there’s only “one way” to do things

[@jakeman1397]

@@CircleHScuba I agree about staying in trim, but surely you launch from at least one increment deeper than your deepest stop (because things do go wrong on occasion)? In the UK we basically always launch from the wreck, so perhaps it's just regional practices.

[@CircleHScuba]

I think it comes down to situation like most things, not necessarily a one size fits all solution (heck I show four inflation methods alone haha)

[@Wormhole-Bar-Concert-Venue]

i get editing out pauses, but leave a few pauses, such as at the end of paragraphs, because its non stop and gets tiring to listen to.

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks for the feedback

[@panditreuvers]

Great tip about the oral inflation. I will try it the next time.

[@CircleHScuba]

Glad it was helpful!!! Let me know how it goes

[@josephdracula7487]

👍😎🤿🇵🇭!

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Dude you got some funky ways to inflate one's DSMB...exhaust bubbles 😆 😆 😆 Nobody uses their exhaust bubbles or disconnects their LP hose to deploy a surface bouey! As for attaching the double-end bolt snap to the DSMB, I find it much easier to attach one end to the marker D-ring and the other to a little loop on the end of the finger spool line. Then there's none of the looping through, over, and around to attach the two with your method. And why do you advise removing the OPV to drain water out of the marker...just invert it and open the valve (pull the cord) and presto, water drains out!

[@CircleHScuba]

All of these are very much used, but I understand you may not have seen some before. Do some research, they’re definitely ways people do it! Double enders aren’t as secure, and a lot of people also do the pass through method. Clipping off is a good way to lose your DSMB, lift bag, etc. Again, if you search just a little on this you’ll see the same method I’m talking about because it’s definitely a popular way. I understand you may not have seen it but that’s why educational videos and tutorials exist, to show people other ways to do things 🤓 Removing the OPV makes it very easy to drain. Since the OPV isn’t at the end of the buoy, it’s a few inches inset, you have to kind of fold the buoy to keep that at the bottom and almost need a third hand to be able to also pull the string. These are made to be unscrewed, so why work harder when you can just drain it out easily. Totally respect that you may not have seen some of these things before but it’s not crazy at all, it’s very much legitimate ways people do this, are trained to do this, etc. I’d recommend googling “how to inflate a DSMB” or watching some other videos and you’ll see the same thing from scuba diver magazine, other agencies, tech diving discussions, etc.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

@@CircleHScuba 1000 dives, never seen the exhaust or LP hose method used...maybe it's a North American thing. I've also never seen these methods advised or demonstrated by any of the many YT scuba channels I follow. Having the marker so close in if using these methods, like you demonstrated, is a serious entanglement hazard...I would NEVER recommend anyone use them. Also, never lost a sausage using my method in a couple hundred deployments. If using your loop method, which I used initially, I would advise pre-looping the marker and reel together before the dive so there is no fumbling attaching the two in the water.

[@CircleHScuba]

@jonnieinbangkok just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist 😉 www.yorkshire-divers.com/threads/dsmb-inflation.182997/ scubaboard.com/community/threads/inflating-dsmb-from-exhaled-gas.571000/ scubaboard.com/community/threads/inflator-hose-for-smb.363967/ scubatechphilippines.com/scuba_blog/smb-dsmb-scuba-diving/ I’ll let you do the KZbin searching and googling otherwise for prepping spools for a DSMB and such, but I did some for you and grabbed some from different regions so it’s not just a North America thing. As for entanglement, I think I said the same in the video though I don’t recall my exact wording. My preferred method is oral inflate or redundant second stage purge, personally, as LPI fills too fast and it’s troublesome to try to catch exhaust bubbles. Good discussion either way! Just wanted to point out that it’s not some funky thing, it’s actually used and discussed in the community, and just like I’ve definitely not been exposed to everything there is in diving there are things you may not have seen before too, but that doesn’t make it funky by default 😜

[@AbyssalPlain]

SMB, DSMB? My opinion as a UK BSAC Advanced instructor - forget SMBs completely - train all divers to use one type only - from the very start: DSMB. Forget hand spools - they are too easily dropped. Use a reel with a large handle and latching release.

[@CircleHScuba]

I think there's a place for finger spools depending on your need and use case just out of the bulk for example. But nothing wrong with reels too of course. As for SMB vs DSMB, I've heard mixed arguments on whether you should jump to just straight up a DSMB, or have both and use "the right tool for the job" and such. I would recommend people just use the DSMB at the surface and get comfortable launching it from underwater as a DSMB as well over time with training/practice. I don't see a need to bring a SMB and a DSMB for example. But I don't feel so strongly about it to say it's wrong to.

[@Engineer9736]

How can you do a diving procedure wrong when you're required to have a diving certificate to go diving?

[@CircleHScuba]

Because deploying a DSMB from underwater isn’t something you are taught in most entry level certification courses. There are wrong ways to do it that can be dangerous

[@Engineer9736]

@@CircleHScuba If the skill is not taught during the certification someone has, then they shouldn't be using that skill. Or better said, they shouldn't be doing things that requires that skill. But it's nice to watch for entertainment.

[@CircleHScuba]

There’s additional courses that teach the skill… You asked how you can do it wrong when it’s required to have a diving certificate. A diving certificate doesn’t teach you this typically. You’d have to take a class that does teach this, which some agencies have as a separate specialty class for example.

[@Engineer9736]

@@CircleHScuba Yeah with certification, i mean the specialty. The knowledge should not come from KZbin for the least.

[@CircleHScuba]

I disagree up to a point. I think having an instructor in person is definitely better but as a certified diver, if you want to learn a skill by reading or watching tutorials then trying them in a safe area with a buddy, it’s not the end of the world? Like any other tutorial on KZbin really.