Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
Definition
A Surface Marker Buoy is a floating inflatable tube that signals a diver’s location at the surface.
More on Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)
An SMB is an essential piece of diving safety gear, used to alert boats and surface teams to a diver's position. It is deployed from the surface and towed during the dive or kept in reserve for ascent. SMBs come in various styles—open-ended, sealed with oral inflators, or self-sealing—and are often bright orange or yellow for high visibility. Using an SMB is standard practice on drift dives or in high boat traffic areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
An SMB is used at the surface, while a DSMB is deployed during ascent from underwater.
It's not mandatory everywhere, but strongly recommended—especially for drift or boat dives.
Most divers store it in a pocket, clipped to a D-ring, or in a pouch with a spool or reel.
Orange or red for standard use, yellow for emergencies or lost diver signaling.
Yes. After each dive, rinse, dry, and roll your SMB for the next use.