How to Deploy an SMB

Surface maker buoys or SMBs, are big, inflatable tubes that mark a diver’s location. They are brightly colored and sometimes feature reflective materials for additional visibility. SMBs are very useful and could potentially save your life — but only if you know how to use them.

1. Start Early SMBs can be inflated at the surface but are more effective when deployed underwater. This gives the boat a heads-up and allows it track divers prior to ascent. In many instances this gives the boat time to get into position to pick up divers as soon as they hit the surface, something that is especially useful if currents are strong or if emergency assistance is needed.

2. Prepare Your SMB and Check Your Surroundings Before you begin, ensure you are neutrally buoyant. Unclip your SMB and reel and make sure the SMB is attached to the end of the line. Look up and check that there are no obstructions and ensure you aren’t entangled in or attached to the SMB or line.

3. Fill Up the SMB How you do this depends on the SMB — but no matter what method you use, it’s important to practice! Many SMBs have openings at the bottom where you can vent air from your regulator to fill them up, you can do this either by purging your octo underneath the SMB or holding the opening above your head to catch your exhaust bubbles — there is no need to take your primary out of your mouth! SMBs with oral/low-pressure inflators can be filled using your BC inflator hose, just remember to replace it on your BC when you are finished! If you use an SMB often, you can also attach a secondary inflator hose to your regulator’s first stage so you don’t need to undo your BC hose every time. If you need to inflate the SMB orally, remember to save enough breath to clear your reg between breaths and to never hold your breath. At depth, a small puff of air will suffice to hold your SMB up at the surface, because the gas will expand as it ascends.

4. Let It Go Keep a solid grip on the reel, but don’t hold onto the line or SMB after it begins to ascend or you may be pulled up with it in a rapid ascent. If you have trouble staying down, try making yourself slightly negatively buoyant or try adding less air to your SMB. Once it reaches the surface make sure to hold the line taut so the SMB stands straight up in the water.

5. Make Your Ascent Make your way to the surface while reeling in the line so it stays taut. Slack in the line can cause the SMB to fall to the side and allow air to escape. Ascend at a safe rate and don’t forget to stop for your safety stop.

6. At the Surface When you reach the surface continue to pull down on the SMB so it remains upright until the boat is ready to pick you up.