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MOD stands for Maximum Operating Depth and is the figure seen on DIR marked stage bottles.  
 
SMB Deployment PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Monday, 21 January 2008

SMB deploymentI've put up a video of an SMB deployment here - another skills which is formally taught on the fundamentals class.

In many diving scenarios, surface markers can be used to communicate with the surface either as part of planned marking of ascending divers, or in the event of an emergency. A dive team must be able to deploy any one of several inflatable surface markers with ease.  

Proper trim and buoyancy is an essential part of any dive. It becomes critical during the final phase of the dive, facilitating effortless ascent procedures and effective decompression. 

 

 

 

 The marker should be held out in front of the diver at arms length. With the free hand, unclip a spool and slip the looped end of the line through the eye of the stainless steel bolt snap at the bottom of the marker. Pass the spool through the loop, thus securing it to the marker. Now a final charge of gas appropriate to the depth of release is added and the marker is released. Allow the spool to turn freely while maintaining tension on the line as the marker rises to the surface.

It is important to note that the line is used for reference and is not to hang from. It can be spooled up incrementally and locked down at each decompression stop when used as a free-floating deco station.
For divers wearing thick or rough gloves and who struggle to control the spool when free running, simply make an "OK" sign around the line, just above the spool, with the line playing out between the thumb and forefinger of the "OK". The spool will not plummet to the depths; rather it will dance about seeming to hover below your hand, while the marker travels upward.
 
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 July 2008 )
 
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