DiveSafe Delayed Surface Marker Buoy - 6ft Open Bottom with Over Pressure Valve, High Visibility Reflective Band, Strobe Light or Flashlight Holder, 100ft ABS Finger Reel and Whistle

This SMB's maiden voyage was to Cozumel (March 2022) and it did not disappoint. It's very easy to use (after modifying the spool line, as with ALL SMB spools—they're over-filled, and come with ends that should be changed for easy deployment). Also, and this is personal, it has a brass double clip (not stainless steel), which some others don't like. But I think it's fine, as brass will never rust.My one con (also a pro) is that it's big, but that only matters when fitting into carry-on luggage. I travel light to the tropics, and cram my mission-critical stuff into my carry-on (an Osprey Porter 46, which I love—it holds my full 5mm wetsuit, though that takes up a great deal of space (I rent BDCs and octopuses). But being a tropical diver, I don't need much by way of clothing). Here's the Amazon link, but it's available at REI, where I bought it (10% back if you're a member). It's a cram, especially with fins, but neoprene squishes down, and the bag has very robust compression straps/buckles.https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Porter-Travel-Backpack-Black/dp/B087QTZ9JK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LJLQWY6GFUFO&keywords=Osprey%2BPorter%2B48&qid=1646583291&sprefix=osprey%2Bporter%2B48%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-3&th=1https://www.rei.com/product/171303/osprey-porter-46-travel-packPros:• It's big. To me, that's important for being seen—especially by other boats in crowded waters• Good spool with good line that doesn't tangle easily (though I modified it, removing some line so clip would fit, plus other mods for easier usage. You can YouTube those mods; they're plentiful)• Good dump valve for easy rolling up• Stretchy mesh pocket keeps spool secure—rare on SMBs• Fairly loud whistle• Built-in bungy cord got keeping it all together under water (and in suitcase)• Inflates via low-pressure hose, mouth or secondary (open bottom makes it easy; I always used my secondary since it was so quick and easy). Open bottom does not lose air, having a stiffening material that keeps the bottom shut• One short radar-reflective tape which could be much bigger (running down the length instead of across)Minor cons:• It's big, so might not be to everyone's taste. But his only applies to fitting it into a carry-on. Once clipped to my BCD, I didn't notice its size. But boats did!• Red color is a bit dark. I wish it was brighter for easier spotting.• As mentioned above, the radar-reflective tape could be bigger.Recommended.

Can inflate underwater using alternate air source (octopus) and it magnetically seals afterwards or you can orally inflate it.Has over pressure release valve in case air expansion gets to much.It’s well built and comes with everything needed to use.

Seems like a solid offering for a semi-closed SMB. The 6" (15 cm) width pretty much mandates you cannot inflate this orally unless you're at the surface for the 5 or 6 foot lengths. There is a stainless D-ring coming out from the side near the bottom of the air chamber that would be useful if stored in a pocket or backup to hanging from bungees. (Hanging from that D-ring will unroll itself eventually.) Since it comes out from the side, I don't see how the marker would stand straight on the surface if the line were tied here. (I didn't test this, though, could be wrong.) There is a plastic D-ring inside the mesh pocket (if you trust it).The spool is 78mm diameter, 37mm wide, with a 24mm diameter hole (3 1/16" D, 1.5" W, 1" H) and fully wound with line. You will have to take off a substantial amount of line to use the holes. It fits nicely in the velcro-closed mesh pocket.

I used it on several dives in Cozumel. It it deployed easily, recovered easily and I was not run over by any boats. So go so far.

I like this way better than my manual inflation sausage. I purchased this with the intention of not planning on using it since I usually like to stay near the dive master and they almost always have one. However on a dive with 3 foot visibility I found something called lost, and had to deploy this. Which was easy to do as well as fill using the backup reg. Make sure you clip the line to the sausage, as they are potentially not connected. It might be worth swapping out the double ended clip to one with a rotation eye.

It’s heavy, it’s huge and for that price I would expect something of high grade rather than a survivalist kit. There are other products much cheaper and much lighter smaller that can be attached to the bcd without feeling like having a second bcd

The color is slight different from the picture, it darker than expected but it's ok.

This was my 1st SMB, but I've been very happy with the selection. It has everything you need in an SMB (reel, reel storage, easy to attach to BCD, etc.) The whistle and light storage were an added bonus. It's very easy to use, I'd recommend it for ny diver!

Great item, have everything you will need.