A Note on Surface Marker Buoy or Lift Bag Deployment

This article is not meant to teach you how to deploy a surface marker.  Only to high light a few key steps and reminders. 

For the sake of this article:

Marker = Surface marker Buoy, SMB and lift bag.

Reel = Reel or Spool  

1. Practice in the pool or shallow water until you are comfortable with the skill.  Then move to deep water.
2. Maintain your buoyancy and trim.  Do not rise or sink and do not lose your trim.
3. Hold the marker and reel away from your body to reduce the risk of entanglement.
4. Keep your line tight to reduce the risk of entanglement.
5. Use the line as a reference, maintain your depth. 
6. Practice attaching the reel to the SBM. When doing it for real, have it pre-configured.
7. Practice, Practice, Practice