Surface marker buoy

The buoy (in English: surface marker buoy, in short: SMB, but mostly only: safety sausage called ) is part of the diving equipment. It is used by divers to make their positions visible on the surface, to convey messages to the surface or serves as a depth reference in an open water ascent. Further, they also serve a floating on the water surface divers in heavy seas or strong currents to find.

Construction

In principle, distinguish between two types of buoys: the open and the closed buoy. Scuba divers usually use simple elongated open buoys. They are about one to two meters long and have a bottom opening through which they are filled and can escape through the excess air during the exit. Technical divers usually use a teardrop-shaped buoy closed. It has a valve, and thus prevents the unwanted escape of the air at the surface. Both variants made ​​of a tear-resistant, coated plastic tissue and are gas-tight. Above and below the buoy should have ways to attach hooks. The lower eyelets or loops are used to connect them with the cord that leads the diver on a small reel with it. Pull the cord, he pulls the buoy behind him. The upper eyelets or loops are used for fastening of messages or a dive flag. On the Schur are often characterized by nodes or color Mark ends, certain water depths. The buoy should be a signal color ( red-orange ), to ensure that it is clearly visible in the water.

Use

Inflation

Open buoys are usually inflated with a blast of air from the octopus. Closed buoys are inflated either by mouth, connecting to the inflator or the Trocktauchananzugschlauch. By the rolling of the fleece from the reel the buoy rises thereafter on to the surface.

Drift Diving

When drift diving ( drift dive ) is often a buoy inflated after the descent to the intended depth to have a diver pursuing boat the way. A diver pulls the buoy on a string, for the remainder of the dive after them.

CESA

Is expected at the Auftauchstelle ship traffic, divers can inflate prior to initiating the Notaufstiegs a buoy to signal ships their presence.

Open water ascent

Groups by inexperienced divers like to use a buoy as a depth reference in an open water ascent. The buoy is set before the rise. Markers on the upper end of the cord to help divers in open water, the depth to maintain constant during the deco or safety stop. Experienced divers should be capable of complying the stops even without visual reference.

On the surface

A driving alone on the surface diver is very difficult to see just at a distance and heavy seas, since he has only his head above the surface. He keeps his buoy upright, his silhouette greatly increased and the signal color is easy to spot even before the blue-green background of water. By the pivoting of the buoy, the diver can also transmit an emergency call.

Regulations

In some waters it is mandatory for divers to carry a marker buoy. There are even some places where the inflation of a buoy is required before the appearance.