A surface marker buoy or SMB is an important safety accessory that can alert boats on the surface of the position of divers so as to avoid contact or reveal the location for pick-up. It provides an easily visible marker that can be seen from a distance when surface conditions are rough or drift is causing the divers to travel a significant distance.
Best SMB for Diving – Key Features
Visibility
Bright colors, preferably yellow or orange, make the SMB easier to see in contrast to the colors of the water and sky. A reflective strip at the top or running along the side can aid and is particularly useful for night diving.
Size
Ideally, it is small and light enough to roll up and store in an easily attached bag or BCD pocket. It should be long enough when inflated to be seen above the water surface conditions. 4-8 feet (120-240 cm) long and 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) wide is the basic range in size available, the point is to select one that is large enough to be seen from a distance where you will be using it. I recommend one longer than 5 feet (150 cm).
Open-End vs. Closed
An open-ended SMB can be inflated with exhalation bubbles or a second-stage regulator. The gas will escape if the opening is above part of the buoy or as it expands when pressure changes on deployment from depth to the surface. A close-ended buoy is inflated by various means and then sealed. Air won’t escape unless an air dump valve is part of the design. This avoids rupture by releasing gas through the valve on the ascent or when the buoy is full in the original inflation.
Line/Reel
If the SMB is deployed at depth, there will need to be a line attached. For a safety stop, it should be at least 15 feet (5 meters) for that purpose. For decompression depths or deeper deployment, an appropriately longer line is necessary. Particularly when a long line is used, a reel makes storage and deployment simpler and decreases tangling possibilities.
Attachment Options
A D-ring on the end of the buoy can be useful for attaching a strobe or other light for increased visibility or to clip onto your equipment.
Budget
Pricing starts below $10 for SMBs of the lightest materials and extends to the $100 range based on the strength and quality of the line and reel.
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