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Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Being able to let the surface know where you are during a dive is critical in some situations, and highly recommended in most others. The main ways divers use to achieve this are: a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) which stays on the surface, with or without a dive flag; a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) which can be deployed by the diver from underwater; or a Safety Sausage which can only be deployed on the surface.

We consider the Safety Sausage to be unsafe and don't sell them. After all, how do you safely get to the surface in areas where there is boat traffic in order to deploy your safety sausage. They are usually much smaller than DSMBs, and thus don't do nearly as good a job as a signalling/location device.

Most people refer to a DSMB as just a SMB, which is why this category is called Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs), but technically they're very different.

SMB vs DSMB

A Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) is floated on the surface during a dive to mark the diver's position during drift dives, night dives, mist or disturbed sea conditions. A SMB is absolutely essential kit for diving anywhere you may have surface boat traffic. It allows your position to be known by people watching from shore and watercraft, whether they be the boat you are diving from, or other water users. Typically a SMB will have a dive flag on it as well. See Surface Markers for our range of SMBs.

A Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB), decompression buoy or deco buoy, is deployed whilst the diver is submerged and generally only towards the end of the dive. The DSMB marks the diver's position underwater so the boat safety cover can locate the diver even though the diver may have drifted some distance from the dive site while doing safety or decompression stops. A reel or finger spool and line connect the buoy on the surface to the diver beneath the surface.

Our recommendation is that all divers should carry a DSMB and reel on every dive. In many boat diving situations it's also good practice to also have a Surface Marker with dive flag up on the surface to tell your surface support where you are for the whole of the dive.

SMBs and DSMBs are not intended to be used to lift heavy weights. That's what a Lift Bag is for.

Where to Deploy Your DSMB

Delayed SMBs, such as the AP Diving Buddy DSMB, are designed to be deployed from depth near the end of, or at any critical point during, a dive. Some divers, like us, prefer to shoot their Delayed SMBs from the bottom and thus let the surface support know they're begining their ascent. Other divers shoot from mid-water when they start their safety stop, or decompression stops. We strongly recommend you have a Delayed SMB and reel/spool with you on every dive. On open water dives, waiting until you surface to deploy a surface only safety sausage is dangerous in high boat traffic areas.

Which Colour Delayed SMB Should you Use

There are essentially three choices for DSMB colouring — all Red, all Yellow, or Red and Yellow on contrasting sides.

Studies have shown that Red and Yellow are the two most visible colours at sea. But each colour works better than the other in different conditions. Thus if you look around a dive shop, you will see up to three SMB colours: all Red; all Yellow; and one side Red, one side Yellow.

Recreational Diving

An all Red SMB is far and away the most common SMB colour. This leads some new divers to buy an all Yellow SMB so theirs will stand out more when at a busy dive site. We don't recommend this.

Other divers buy the two-colour SMBs (Red on one side, Yellow on the other side) because these must surely be the ideal for high-visibility over the widest range of conditions. For recreational diving, especially when ocean diving, this is what we recommend. However, it is essential that you let your surface cover know that your combined Red and Yellow SMB is not being used as an emergency signal unless an emergency signal or message is attached to it.

Advanced/Technical Diving

In Australia, and many other parts of the world, there is a convention used by more advanced and technical divers that an all Yellow SMB is an emergency signal, to be responded to by sending down a cylinder of gas, or a rescue diver, or both.

Whilst for the most part recreational divers do not have or need such a signal, it is possible for both types of diver to be on the same dive site. If one group of divers is using Yellow as an emergency signal and the other group uses Yellow as standard, this could lead to confusion and even to a genuine emergency signal being ignored.

For this reason, unless you have a very strong reason for wanting an all Yellow SMB as standard, please don't buy one.

If you decide that you would like to use a Yellow SMB as an emergency signal yourself, two precautions to take are:

  • Make sure your surface cover knows this convention
  • Mark the SMB with "EMERGENCY", "HELP", "SOS" or some other such message in large, clear black letters to ensure there is no doubt that you are a diver in distress and not just a diver who thought a Yellow SMB looked nicer than a Red one.

Sonar Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) in Pouch
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Sonar Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) in Pouch

This package combines a Sonar Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) with a handy Storage Pouch. The Sonar Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) is highly...
$90.00
IST Proline Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) in Pouch
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

IST Proline Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) in Pouch

This package combines an IST Proline Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) with a handy Storage Pouch. All divers are supposed to carry a Surface Marker...
$95.00
IST Proline Oral Inflate Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

IST Proline Oral Inflate Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)

The IST Proline Oral Inflate Delayed Surface Marker Buoy with SOLAS Tape (SB8-Q-R) is an oral-inflate SMB with the added benefit of 3M US Coast Guard...
$99.00
AP Diving Buddy Delayed SMB with Mini-Cylinder Inflation - SMBCi
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

AP Diving Buddy Delayed SMB with Mini-Cylinder Inflation - SMBCi

The superb Buddy Self-sealing Delayed SMB with mini-cylinder inflation from AP Diving A real gem of a product, the Buddy SMBCi has all the features...
$519.00
AP Diving Buddy Self-Sealing Delayed SMB
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

AP Diving Buddy Self-Sealing Delayed SMB

The original AP Diving Buddy Self-Sealing Delayed Surface Marker Buoy Closed (SMBC - SMB Closed). Much copied but never bettered. A high visibility...
$139.00
AP Diving Ratcheted Pocket Reel and Delayed SMB Package
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

AP Diving Ratcheted Pocket Reel and Delayed SMB Package

This package combines the small and compact AP Diving Ratcheted Pocket Reel with the Buddy Self Sealing Delayed SMB . This is the best combination on...
$299.00
AP Diving Training Delayed SMB
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

AP Diving Training Delayed SMB

A must-have for all dive instructors the AP Diving Training Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) is identical in design to the rest of the AP Diving...
$125.00
Cressi Elite SMB (Open Cell) Orange
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Cressi Elite SMB (Open Cell) Orange

The Cressi Ellite is a bright orange coloured Open cell SMB, The SMB has both a plastic oral inflator and open end to inflate via the divers occy....
$99.95  $94.95
Save: (5%)
Cressi Elite SMB (Open Cell) Pink
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Cressi Elite SMB (Open Cell) Pink

The Cressi Ellite is a bright pink coloured Open cell SMB, The SMB has both a plastic oral inflator and open end to inflate via the divers occy. The...
$99.95  $94.95
Save: (5%)
AP Diving Buddy SMBCi Easifil Inflator Hose Adaptor
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

AP Diving Buddy SMBCi Easifil Inflator Hose Adaptor

The Buddy AP35P Easifil Inflator Hose Adaptor for SMBCI is for use with an APSMBCi - Surface Marker Buoy with inflation. The AP35P is an alternative...
$35.00
Apeks Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Apeks Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)

Make sure you're seen the first time, every time, with the Apeks Surface Marker Buoy (SMB). Easily the most feature-rich delayed SMB on the market...
$170.00
Mares Diver Marker Buoy Set All In One SMB Kit
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Mares Diver Marker Buoy Set All In One SMB Kit

The 'All in One' Mares Diver Marker Buoy Set combines a Mares SMB, a Mares Finger Spool, stainless steel Double Ended Bolt Snap, and a...
$109.00
Mares Diver's Alert Marker
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Mares Diver's Alert Marker

he diver buoy 'Diver below' signals the diver's presence during the dive. Thanks to its length of 180 cm, width of 15 cm and bright...
$99.95  $94.95
Save: (5%)
Mares XR SMB Emergency Yellow
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Mares XR SMB Emergency Yellow

Mark your position with the Mares XR Emergency Yellow SMB. Can inflate at the surface to attract attention, or be sent up as a surface marker buoy...
$139.00  $125.00
Save: (10%)
Mares XR SMB Orange
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Mares XR SMB Orange

Mark your position with the Mares XR Orange SMB. Can inflate at the surface to attract attention, or be sent up as a surface marker buoy (SMB). Mares...
$139.00  $125.00
Save: (10%)
Northern Diver Delayed SMB Orange 1.3m - Diver Below
Category Path: SAFETY and RESCUE > Lift Bags / Reels / SMBs > Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)

Northern Diver Delayed SMB Orange 1.3m - Diver Below

The Northern Diver Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) is a long 'tube' style DSMB, featuring an over inflation 'auto' dump valve (which can also be...
$179.00

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