Reels and Surface marker buoys

There are 3 main types of reels, gap reels, ratchet reels & finger spools.
The gap reel
The drum runs freely when deployed of line, you have to manually lock & unlock it by a turn-screw, which acts as the brake mechanism.
Larger versions are commonly used as wreck reels or caving reels for laying lines.
 
The ratchet reel.
This type of reel has a trigger release mechanism in order to deploy the line.
They commonly have 3 settings, free running, ratchet & lock.
In a ratchet mode when the line is wound in, the reel auto locks in a forward direction allowing line only to be retrieved when wound.
 
The finger spool
This reel looks very much like a spare spool for a gap reel but has space for the index finger to be inserted within the spool centre.
The line is deployed & the operator lets the spool spin freely between the fingers.
Line retrieval is best aided by the use of a double-ended snap bolt.
The operator clips the line & manually winds it with the snap bolt.
 
Other means.
A short 6-10 meter loose line weighted at one end is a common form of use.
Closed face reels with anti ‘birds-nest’ systems are also on the market.


Summary.
Reels can vary in price from around £30-£60 for standard sport & technical diving.
These commonly have around 30-50 meters of line, the standard being 40 meters.
Ranging up to £100+ for the larger line laying reels of 100 meter+.
For safety reasons, you should never deploy your SMB with the reel attached to yourself.

Here is a video of an SMB being deployed.
http://www.zippyvideos.com/4875554891223826/smbdeploy/

 

SMB
The delayed surface marker buoy or DSMB or SMB can be used to show the position of a diver, provide a support from which to hold while being in a stop for safety or stage decompression. It can also be used as a sign for boat traffic in general and a means of predetermined signal communication.

 
Open ended bags
The original SMB of its day, basic by design, dispels any expanding surplus air on the ascent. Have a tendency to deflate slightly once they reach the surface.
 
Self-sealing bags.
These are more of a modern design where any surplus expanding air is dispelled via an over inflation valve. The manual dump valve allows the diver to self deflate the buoy when finished. These stay fully inflated when on the surface in any position but can have a tendency to part fill with water.
 
Self-inflating bags.
These are almost identical to the self-sealing bag but for the addition of a CO2 fitted cartridge. The inflate mechanism is pulled, thus releasing the CO2 which inflates the bag. Generally used with deep or technical divers to alert the surface cover of an intending problem. Quite commonly used as a ‘send more gas’ signal. The reliance in the CO2 cartridge saves the diver from using any critical breathing gas to inflate the bag.
 
Bag.                                                     
Another similar type of self-inflating bag has a small refillable cylinder connection making it more economical than the CO2 type but at the expense of being more bulky.

Summary
Bags range from £15-£80. An average versatile self-sealing bag costs around £25. Most commonly sporting either a blood red/orange colour for standard routine use or a yellow colour to indicate a problem. Bags come in various colours but these are the two most common used in standard recreational diving.

 

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