Lift Bags - Marking Tubes

The Surface Marking Tube (SMT) is also known as Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) or Delayed SMB (DSMB)

For an overview of all features and specifications see the table details in our TekTip below.

20 Items

Set Descending Direction
  1. DGX Orange and Yellow Safety Sausages
    DGX Safety Sausage
    $20.00
  2. Training SMB Inflated
    Mares XR Orange Small Surface Marking Tube { 3.3 ft | 1.0 m }
    $64.95
  3. Dive Alert Surface Marking Buoy w/ Pocket
    Dive Alert Small Orange Surface Marking Tube w/ Pocket { 3.8 ft | 1.2 m }
    As low as $42.95
  4. DGX SMB Open Bottom { 4 ft | 1.2 m } - Orange and Yellow
    DGX Gears Surface Marking Tube { 4.0 ft | 1.2 m }
    $40.00
  5. Apeks Surface Marking Tube { 4.6 ft | 1.4 m }
    Apeks Surface Marking Tube { 4.6 ft | 1.4 m }
    $129.00
  6. Yellow/Orange Color Combo
    DGX Gears Yellow/Orange Combo Surface Marking Tube { 5.0 ft | 1.5 m }
    $41.00
  7. Dive Rite Surface Marking Tube w/Built-in Sleeve { 5.0 ft | 1.5 m }
    Dive Rite Surface Marking Tube w/Built-in Sleeve { 5.0 ft | 1.5 m }
    $130.00
  8. AP Diving Surface Marking Tube w/Cylinder Inflation
    AP Diving Surface Marking Tube w/Cylinder Inflation
    $399.00
  9. Yellow/Orange Color Combo
    Dive Alert Yellow/Orange Combo Surface Marking Tube w/Pocket { 5.4 ft | 1.6 m }
    $64.95
  10. Orange Surface Marking Tube
    Dive Alert Orange Surface Marking Tube { 5.4 ft | 1.6 m }
    $53.95
  11. Yellow/Orange Color Combo
    DGX Gears Yellow/Orange Combo Surface Marking Tube { 6 ft | 1.8 m }
    $42.00
  12. DGX SMB Open Bottom { 6 ft | 1.8 m } - Orange and Yellow
    DGX Gears Surface Marking Tube { 6 ft | 1.8 m }
    $42.00
  13. Emergency and Regular SMBs
    Mares XR Surface Marking Tube { 6.0 ft | 1.8 m }
    $89.95
  14. Highland Orange Giant { 10 ft | 3.1 m } SMT
    Highland Giant Orange Surface Marking Tube { 10 ft | 3.0 m }
    $124.95
  15. DGX Lift Bag Orange { 75 lb | 34 kg }
    DGX Gears Lift Bag { 65 lb | 30 kg }
    $30.00
  16. Dive Rite { 75 lb | 34 kg } Lift Bag
    Dive Rite Lift Bag { 75 lb | 34 kg } w/Built-In Sleeve
    $115.00
  17. Mares XR Lift Bag { 80 lb | 36 kg }
    Mares XR Lift Bag { 80 lb | 36 kg }
    $129.95
  18. DGX Lift Bag Orange { 150 lb | 68 kg }
    DGX Gears Large Lift Bag { 120 lb | 55 kg }
    $37.00
  19. DGX All-Mesh Lift Bag Sleeve
    DGX All-Mesh Lift Bag Sleeve
    $10.00
  20. Air Nozzle to Male BC Inflator Quick-Release Post
    DGX Adapter: HQ Air Nozzle = Schrader QD Post
    $6.00
Tek Tip Warning Image WARNING

Some of the lift bags and surface marking tubes include a non-locking inflation connection fitting 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 device, 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 an alternate low-pressure quick-disconnect inflator hose mounted on a stage or bailout bottle, rather than the primary BC inflator hose, for power inflation of this device. If this is your first experience with power-inflation lift bag or marking tube deployment at depth, first practice this type of deployment under controlled conditions.

How to Choose Between Lift Bags and Marking Tubes

Surface Marking Tube vs Lift Bag Divers are sometimes confused about the difference between lift bags and surface marking tubes (SMT). Surface marking tubes may also be referred to as Delayed Surface Marking Buoys (DMSB) by technical divers. Our factual but easy-to-read article helps you choose the appropriate bag by giving you information on:

  • Why is one better at carrying a load to the surface
  • Why is one a better surface marker
  • Which has a dump valve that can be regulated on ascent
  • Which has an over pressure relief valve (OPV) that cannot be regulated on ascent

For more information read Lift Bags versus Marking Tubes.

Lift Bags and Surface Marking Tube Features

Device Size
Lift/Height
Type
Open/Closed
Power Inflate
Connector
Color Additional
Features
DGX Gears Lift Bag {65 lb | 30 kg  Semi Closed No Orange D-rings Top & Bottom
Dive Rite Lift Bag {75 lb | 34 kg} Open No Orange Top Handle, Reflective Tape, Built-in Sleeve, D-rings
Mares XR Lift Bag {80 lb | 36 kg} Closed Yes Orange D-rings Top & Bottom, Sewn-in Bungee Loop
DGX Gears Lift Bag {120 lb | 55 kg} Semi Closed No Orange D-rings Top & Bottom
DGX Safety Sausage {44 in | 112 cm} Closed Oral Only Orange or Yellow SURFACE DEPLOY ONLY, NO OPV
Mares XR Small SMT {39 in | 100 cm} Closed Yes Orange Compact, Sewn-In Bungee loop
Dive Alert Small SMT {46 in | 117 cm} Closed Yes Orange Built-In Pocket, Reflective Tape
DGX Gears SMT {4 ft | 1.2 m} Semi Closed Yes Orange or Yellow D-rings Top & Bottom, SOLAS Tape, Sewn-In Bungee loop
Apeks SMT {4 .6 ft | 1.4 m} Closed Oral Only Orange or Yellow SOLAS Tape, Sewn-In Bungee loop, Stores in Apeks Ascend Reels
AP Diving SMT {4 .6 ft | 1.4 m} Hybrid Mini-Cylinder Orange, Yellow, Dual Also via Easifil QD, Sewn-In Velco Strap, Top Grommet
DGX Gears SMT {5 ft | 1.5 m} Semi Closed Yes Dual Color D-rings Top & Bottom, SOLAS Tape, Sewn-In Bungee loop
Dive Rite SMT {5 ft | 1.5 m} Hybrid Yes Orange Built-in Sleeve, Reflective Tape, Wide {8 in | 20.3 cm}
Dive Alert SMT {5.4 ft | 1.7 m} Semi-Closed No Orange Reflective Tape
Dive Alert Deluxe SMT {5.4 ft | 1.7 m} Hybrid Yes Dual Color Built-in Pocket, Reflective Tape
Mares XR SMT {6 ft | 1.8 m} Closed Yes Orange or Yellow SOLAS Tape, Clear Pouch
DGX Gears SMT {6 ft | 1.8 m} Semi Closed Yes Orange or Yellow D-rings Top & Bottom, SOLAS Tape, Sewn-In Bungee loop
Highland Giant SMT {10 ft | 3.1 m} Hybrid Yes Orange HUGE {22 in | 56 cm} Circumference, SOLAS tape
  • Open = The bottom of the bag or tube is completely open and unrestricted. To fill with gas hold the opening over a second stage regulator or BC oral/power inflator, or hold the mouthpiece inside the opening, and operate the device to release gas out the mouthpiece into the bag or tube.
  • Semi-Closed = The bottom of the bag or tube is open and inflates the same way, although more slowly, plus incorporates an funnel-shaped internal restriction (aka "duck-bill") that limits gas from escaping once it enters.
  • Closed = The bag or tube is completely sealed and uses a one-way valve nipple for oral inflation. Most inflation nipples also have a non-locking fitting that supports easy and rapid power-inflation by pushing on (and holding in place) a standard quick-disconnect low-pressure BC inflator hose.
  • Hybrid = The bag or tube is both semi-closed and also includes an inflation nipple. Hybrid designs support the choice of any of the three methods of inflation: from the bottom opening, oral inflation, and power-inflation with a BC low-pressure hose.