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

Which Reel?

A reel has only one purpose - to store line so that it can easily be deployed. A natural follow on from that is that it should be easy to wind the line back onto the reel. The two situations in which reels are typically used within club environments are:
	To deploy a delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB).
	As a guideline to enable you to retrace your steps to a specific point. This is a surprisingly complex skill and expert instruction is required, particularly when envisaging entering an overhead environment!

Unfortunately, reels that are good for one job are seldom ideal for the other. Whilst ocean diving, the most common use of a reel is with an SMB so it is this use which should guide your purchase. Small reels tend to be easy to carry but spooling the line back in requires lots of winding due to the small diameter of the reel. Large reels on the other hand can wind the line up more easily but are more awkward to carry. In the end "you pays your money and makes your choice." The things you need to consider are:

	Can I carry the reel easily until I need it, somewhere like a pocket and if not is there an attachment point for fitting a bolt snap so that it san be clipped to a D-ring?
	Is it possible to store a DSMB with the reel, already attached ready for deployment? Eg bungied to the handle with a ratchet style reel, in a pocket etc.
	Can the reel be easily controlled? It is important that it should not allow the line to come off unintentionally or faster than you need - either of these can lead to "birds nesting" and jamming.
	Can the reel be used in either hand or if there is a locking mechanism, does it lend itself to one hand or the other? (If the reel is one handed most divers prefer to hold the reel in the left hand and wind it with the right, whichever hand is your preference make sure the reel will allow it).
	Can the line easily get between the bobbin and the frame if there is one? If it can, how easily can you clear a jam? Underwater? With cold hands? And gloves?
	If there is a locking mechanism, is it separate from the spindle of the reel? If it is an integral part of the spindle (as on the Custom Divers reels) it is likely to tighten or loosen when the line is deployed or wound in. In some cases this is a nuisance, in others it could be dangerous.
	Can you suddenly let out additional line if you need to?
	Is the reel a "Closed-face" design? These do not allow you to get at the line to disentangle it without tools, this is impossible during a dive.
	Never attach a reel to yourself whilst line is deployed. See the section on attaching a Lanyard for further information.

 

Recommendations I would recommend that you try any reel in an open water environment before choosing to make a purchase. The best design has to be one which is simple and can't go wrong. Anything with any kind of mechanism has the potential to fail, this includes all reels which are of a spindle/frame style design, ie virtually every design on a typical dive shop shelf. Spools are comprised of only a length of line wound around a bobbin and consequently have no mechanism and are very simple to use. They should free wheel under nearly all conditions, even if you should let go of them by accident, provided you have released the double ender holding the line. The line can be easily wound in by using the double ender on the line as a handle. A spool should be of a convenient size which would fit in the palm of your hand, typically with 30 metres of line. They would normally be deployed from a decompression stop. They can be a little slower to wind in when compared to a conventional reel, until you have had a little practice. Extreme Exposure Spools are available from Underwater Explorers and/or Aquarius with similar verions available from Aleutian Diving Products. Other reels include the "McMahon Mini Reel", which is compact but can be difficult to use if the line is under any tension what-so-ever, since it lacks the leverage. In contrast, the "Big McMahon Reel" is very reliable and easy to use compared to its smaller cousin, unfortunately it may be too big for easy carrying until it is required' whilst the "MGE Ratchet Reel" is sized between the previous two options and takes a little practice to get used to. The "Extreme Exposure Explorer Reel" is primarily designed for line laying and is probably the best choice available for this particular use. It can also be used for deploying a DSMB, particularly at depth (300' line) but generally this should not be necessary and you would aim to deploy above 21 metres, even on deeper dives, although this will largely depend on the boat's/team's modus operandi. This reel is available from Underwater Explorers and/or Aquarius. The other reels are available from most dive shops.

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Copyright © H Beasley 01 August 2001 All Rights Reserved