Introduction Which Attachments? Which Buoyancy Compensator? Which Computer/ Dive Timer? Which Compass? Which Contents Gauge? Which Dive Bag? Which Fins? Which Knife? Which Mask? Which Reel? Which Regulator? Which Snorkel? Which Surface Marker Buoy? Which Suit and Options? Which Tanks? Overview - Which Single Cylinders? - Which Pony Cylinders? - Which Twin Sets? - Which Deco/ Stage Tank? - Which Argon System? Which Torch? - Which Back-up Torch? - Which Main Torch? Which Watch? Which Weight System?	Marking Template for EAN50 Marking Template for O2 Modifying AP Valve SMB's Modifying Other Style SMB's What Do I Need to Make My Own B'C'?	Introduction Modified Valve Drill Valve Drill Modified S-Drill S-Drill Switching to Deco Bottle

Modifying AP Valve Style SMB's

We've all been there, deploying a Surface Marker Buoy on our own, one hand holding the SMB, another the regulator to inflate it with and somehow juggling a reel as well. You release the SMB, which shoots to the surface almost dragging you with it when your regulator or some other bit of kit gets entangled in those nice helpful bits of webbing which hang below...there are really only two answers, get your buddy to do it or sort it out.

This page tells you how to amend an AP Valves style SMB, the linked page below covers modifying other SMB's which can not readily use this method, ie don't have a helpful tab on the side or a popper to keep everything together.

There are also a couple of comments on marking your SMB with yellow tape if you chose to do so. This is very visible and can be readily seen by boat skippers, but do make sure that you don't use so much yellow tape that an orange SMB isn't confused with a yellow one, see "An ABC of Yellow SMB's" for further information.

 

	Modifying an AP Valves Style SMB
1. Cut off the Tab and webbing that you do not need leaving one tab still attached.	2. Burn a hole in the webbing large enough to take an eyelet. You can use either a soldering iron or a hot screwdriver etc.	3. Cut of the remaining spare webbing. Make sure that you melt the edge to stop it unravelling later.
4. Put an eyelit in the hole to strengthen it. Make sure you use marine grade eyelits from a boat Chandlers (Stainless steel/Brass)	5. Tie a bolt snap to the eyelit securely with cave line. This is used to attach the SMB to a reel or spool. To tie a knot, I typically thread it through three times and then tie a reef knot on either side of the bolt snap	6. Secure the knot with a little superglue if you are unsure of your knot tying skills.
7. Burn the ends of the cave line to stop it unravelling.	8. Wash down the SMBwith warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. When dry further wash with methylated spirit.	9. Mark the smb with a proprietary waterproof tape such as "Duck" Tape. This should last for at least a season, longer if the SMB is brand new when the tape is applied. If you find that the tape doesn't stick for very long, you can try acetone instead of methylated spirit, but be careful, it may damage the SMB! If you have problems getting hold of tape, click here for links to suppliers.

Go To "Modifying Other SMB's"

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