Im to cheap to buy new and would rather spend the big bucks on going cave diving so does anyone have a safety reel they'd be willing to sell me ?
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Im to cheap to buy new and would rather spend the big bucks on going cave diving so does anyone have a safety reel they'd be willing to sell me ?
I have a Manta Sport reel. Been wet maybe a dozen times...$50 plus shipping.
What size (how many feet) are you looking for?
Use a spool for your safety. There's no potential to jam a spool, and you can get a new one with line for <$20.
Spool is better.
That's what I was getting at... they sell them with line for $12 a pop...
Funny all of the opinions.
I was taught to use a large jump spool as my safety as well, with the premise being it won't jam when you need it not to.
In one of my classes (that was not an actual cave class), the instructor talked about how a safety reel is the only option and a spool is stupid. His claim is that in any scenario he's been apart of the person needing to use the safety spool inevitably dropped the spool.
I bought into it, got a 200 ft LM safety, carried it for a while, then went back to spools. Just recently I ran into the same instructor who recommended a safety reel and he spent 10 minutes telling me how awful sidewinder reels were. I just shut up and ignored his rant.
You could drop a reel too :roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by rddvet
Mostly I tend to drop the bolt snap.
I've been known to do that oftenQuote:
Originally Posted by FW
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The way I feed out a spool, if I was to drop it, the line would still be in my hand and a hell of a lot easier to regain from then a bird nest of a reel if I was to hang onto the line while the reel free spun. I'm not cave trained yet (on my way), but I've used both reels and spools for other diving. A spool usually won't keep spinning like a reel will if dropped. I guess I don't understand the "you'll drop this one over this one when you really need it" philosophy.
His point was that he believes for the average person when the crap hits the fan you get stressed enough that dropping a spool isnt that tough to do. Whereas with a reel youve got a handle and are less likely to drop it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scubaru
Not saying I buy it. Just pointing out the reason some people dont think a spool is a good choice.
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Just grab a new one off the floor at the ear. There's usually a pile of them there.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
My 2 cents: Use what you're most familiar with. If you use a spool for gaps, jumps, etc., use a spool for your safety. If a reel, then a reel. In an emergency you'll do best using what you're used to using the most. Along the same lines, if you use a reel, have a safety reel that's the same style as the reel(s) you use the most. When things are going to shyte, don't make it harder by using an unfamiliar piece of equipment.
Use spools they are smaller and you shouldn't have just 1 in case you drop it and can't find it. Reels jam spools don't. I am guessing your instructor sells gear as there can't be much margin on a $12 spool. If you want a small reel for looking around off the line or for making jumps that is fine but don't depend on it for a safety.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bamafan
You probably know the person and have heard the stories about the reel > spool.
I bought it when I first heard then wised up.
Not sure if I do or not but I have seen plenty of instructors who own or work for a shop push certain gear just because the margin is higher on a certain piece of gear. I have actually had one in a moment of truth actually admit it during a discussion. Never forget that it is a business and look for other opinions before you go dropping a lot of money on gear. I really think that people should take classes from more than one instructor. When you are starting out you really don't know and to some if not most instructors you are just a wallet. That I have heard too in a moment of thruth fullness. I would actually worry if your instructor was telling you that you needed a reel for a safety and I would go find another instructor as it is really brain dead.Quote:
Originally Posted by rddvet