DSMBs vs SMBs

 

Scuba diving is a popular recreational activity that involves exploring the underwater world. However, it can also be a risky activity, and divers need to take precautions to ensure their safety. One of the essential safety measures in scuba diving is the use of the DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Buoy) and the SMB (Surface Marker Buoy). In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two types of Surface Markers and their respective benefits and limitations.

What is a DSMB?

A DSMB, or Delayed Surface Marker Buoy, is a signaling device that divers use to indicate their position to their surface support team. DSMBs are deployed while you are underwater, once deployed it will give enough time for the surface support team or the boat operators to get close to the area where divers will be surfacing, giving divers time to do their safety stop and then have the boat waiting for them at the surface. DSMBs are usually bright orange or yellow, making them highly visible from a distance. The main big difference from DSMBs to SMBs is that they have an over pressure valve that will prevent the over expansion of the DSMBs while is lunch from depth DSMBs are essential for diving in areas with strong currents or low visibility, as they help divers to remain visible at a distance while waiting for their surface support team.

What is an SMB?

An SMB, or Surface Marker Buoy, is a similar signaling device that is deployed at the beginning or end of a dive. SMBs are used to indicate the diver's location to boats and other surface traffic. SMBs are usually bright red, making them highly visible from a distance. SMBs are essential for diving in areas with heavy boat traffic, as they help boats avoid divers.

DSMB vs. SMB

While both DSMBs and SMBs serve the same basic purpose of signaling the diver's location, there are some key differences between the two devices.

1. Deployment: DSMBs are deployed underwater during the dive, while SMBs are deployed at the beginning or end of the dive.
2. Functionality: DSMBs are designed to be deployed underwater until the diver reaches the surface, while SMBs are designed to float on the surface and remain visible to boats and other surface traffic.
3. Valve: DSMBs have over pressure vales, to let the excess of air to escape making them good to be deployed while underwater, while SMBs are do not have the valve making them good once the divers have surfaced.
4. Use: DSMBs are used to signal the diver's location to the surface support team before surfacing, while SMBs are used to signal the diver's location to boats and other surface traffic after surfacing.

Benefits and Limitations

DSMBs and SMBs have their respective benefits and limitations.

Benefits of DSMBs:

1. Help divers remain visible during strong currents before surfacing.
2. Allow divers to communicate their location to their surface support team.
3. Provide an over expansion valve.

Limitations of DSMBs:

1. Can be difficult to deploy underwater, especially in strong currents or low visibility.
2. Require the diver to have proper training and practice to use effectively.

Benefits of SMBs:

1. Help boats and other surface traffic avoid divers.
2. Can be deployed quickly and easily at the beginning or end of the dive.

Limitations of SMBs:

1. Cannot be deployed while underwater.

Conclusion

In summary, both DSMBs and SMBs are essential safety devices in scuba diving. You should be familiarized with and should thing if the SMBs or the DSMBs would be right one to be used depending on the type of dive you are planning to do. Also you may want to take a look at our previous blog post on dive flags.