DGX Gears Surface Marking Tube { 6 ft | 1.8 m }
- {2 in | 5 cm} strip of SOLAS reflective tape across the top
- {6 ft | 1.8 m} long by {6 in | 15 cm} wide
- Offers three methods of inflation - Oral, BC, Regulator
- D-ring at the top provides attachment point
- Integrated {0.5 lb | 0.2 kg} lead weight at bottom assists with deployment and visibility
DGX Gears Surface Marking Tube { 6 ft | 1.8 m }
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The DGX SMT measures { 6 ft | 1.8 m } by { 6 in | 15 cm } and is available in your choice of orange or yellow. A { 2 in | 5 cm } strip of SOLAS reflective tape across the top on both sides significantly increases visibility. Constructed of durable 400 denier polyurethane coated nylon material, the bag is RF welded and double stitched. A standard over pressure valve (OPV) allows excess gas to vent during ascent, and includes a pull dump to deflate the bag before boarding the boat or when being folded for storage. The stainless { 1 in | 25 mm } D-ring at the bottom of the SMT is for attaching the line. The nylon { 1.5 in | 40 mm } D-ring at the top provides an attachment point for a light, strobe or slate. An integrated { 0.5 lb | 0.2 kg } lead weight at bottom assists with deployment and visibility. The design includes two velcro straps, plus a bungee loop, at the bottom to secure a tidy compact roll for storage and easy deployment. We suggest adding an optional DGX mesh sleeve for storage and attachment to your harness.
The semi-closed design is a hybrid of open and closed types that can be used two different ways:
- The tube is open at the bottom and incorporates an funnel-shaped (aka "duck-bill") internal baffle that allows the tube to be inflated as usual with a regulator second stage at depth, but prevents the tube from unintentionally deflating should it fall over while on the surface.
- The tube also has a non-locking oral/power inflator that allows the tube to be inflated at the surface or at depth. Perfect for rebreather divers, using the oral/power inflator with the low pressure hose on a bailout bottle makes inflation manageable without the use of diluent gas.
NOTE: The hybrid marking bag is not fully closed by design and if you inflate it when dry (i.e. at home, to 'test' it), you will discover gas slowly leaks out through the bottom baffle. This does not cause a problem in actual in-water use, where the water will cause the baffle to seal. Although a marking tube should not be used as a lift bag, for emergency purposes a fully inflated { 6 ft | 1.8 m } tube may be considered to have approximately { 13 lb | 6 kg } of lift when completely submerged.
| Brand | DGX Gears |
|---|---|
| SKU | DX-SMBN4-x |
| Weight | 1.000000 |
Customer Reviews
WARNING
This device includes a non-locking hose quick-connect that supports easy and rapid power-inflation at the surface using the standard quick-disconnect low-pressure BC inflator hose. However, there are some safety concerns using that mode for deployment while at depth. Disconnecting the inflator hose from your BC at depth could compromise your buoyancy control in an emergency. Although the inflation connector on the device is non-locking, there is a possibility connectors could jam and fail to easily separate if the connectors are not clean and well maintained. As with any such bag, it is also possible to create enough lift such that it could begin to drag you to the surface if there is any delay in release and the rapid power-inflation feature can reduce the time available before release.
For deployment at depth we suggest using either a Y-adapter or an alternate low-pressure quick-disconnect inflator hose mounted on a stage or bailout bottle, rather than disconnecting the primary BC inflator hose, for power inflation of this device. If this is your first experience with power-inflation SMB or lift-bag deployment at depth, first practice this type of deployment under controlled conditions.
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What Color is Your Parachute Bag?
Studies done in the transportation sector prove the best color for high visibility worker clothing is fluorescent safety orange because that color is the most visible from the greatest distance. A fluorescent yellow-green color, while not as visible at distance, offers better night visibility and is also a better choice for signage because it provides more contrast for lettering.
Some groups of divers have informally assigned meaning to bag color. Shooting an orange bag or marker is supposed to indicate a normal situation to surface support. The appearance of a yellow color may mean that the diver has an abnormal situation and requires assistance from the surface. However, there is no color standard along with considerable confusion about color.
Our recommendations: If visibility is most important, then orange is proven by far to be the best color choice for distance visibility during daylight hours. Choose yellow for night visibility, or for a day and night compromise we offer a marking tube that is yellow on one side and orange on the other. We respectfully suggest reconsidering any dive plan which depends on the color of a bag to signal for help.
