Mobile line Set-up

There are a few kinds of line set-ups, all of them consist of a floating device, a dive line, a weight and a dive flag.

The instructions brought here are for a mobile set-up. This set-up can be easily taken apart for travel and is made out of light materials.

As part of the “manual”, I added more details on other (less mobile) options. Feel free to comment on the explanation so that we could create great manuals.

Key ingredients

1. Car inner tube (The bigger it is – the more flotation and the heavier it gets)

2. A piece of wood – 120cmX2cmX4cm or more.

2b. In case you want to make a fixed setup – a piece of wood or PVC (65cmX65cm and around 15-20mm thick)

3. Rope – 6-12mm in diameter. It is better to buy a long rope and use a part of it than to buy a short one and be sorry later... The rope should be strong and not stretchable.

4. A weight. This weight will be positioned at the bottom of the descend line and should be heavy enough to keep the line straight. It depends on the size of the buoy and the purpose you use the setup (free immersion will require a bigger weight than CW)

5. Dive flag. The flag will be positioned on a pole at a height of around 60cm above the water.

6. A small anchor or another weight. A string with a diameter of 4-8mm. This line will be used as an anchor line.

7. 2 D-rings or 1 D-ring and 1 Tuna clip. The clip will be connected to a loop of string with a diameter of 40cm.

8. 10m of string (2-4mm). Alternatively you can use a strap with quick release clips. This will be used to attach the tube to the base.

9. Knife.

10. Pencil

11. Measuring tape

12. Lighter

13. Saw

14. Pump

15. Drill

16. A bit of time and motivation

Putting it all together...

Line set-up

1. Inflate the inner tube (not with the mouth – big head-ache) to the desired size.

2. No need to over inflate the tube as it will drastically shorten its life span.

3. Place the piece of wood and mark where the tube touches it + 2-4cm.

4. Use the saw to cut the wood. You will end up with 2 pieces of wood (around 65cm each)

5. Drill holes (4-6mm) 3cm from each end.

6. Deflate the tube a bit.

7. Use the thin string to attach the wood to the tube.

8. No need to tighten the string – the air will do that for us once we inflate the tube again.

9. Place the second piece of wood vertically to the first and repeat the last step. You will end up with a tube and a “cross” on it.

10. Use the Tuna-clip with the string to fasten the middle of the cross.

If you decide to make a fixed setup –

1. Place the tube on the plate and mark around the place where the tube touches the wood.

2. Saw the wood to a shape of a circle.

3. Drill holes around the diameter of the wood (4-8 holes).

4. Position the holes 3-4cm from the tip.

5. Drill another 2 holes in the middle of the plate

6. Deflate the tube.

7. Use the thin string to attach the tube to the base.

8. Inflate the tube to the desired size and adjust the string.

9. Thread the tuna-clip with the string through the holes in the centre of the base.

At this stage you can add handles around the tube for ease of use.

Attach the flag to the pole and devise a way to attach them to the setup.

The line.

1. Tie a knot a meter and a half from the end of the rope. A stopper knot is recommended

2. Stretch the line and use the measuring tape to mark every 5 meters along the line – starting at the knot you made.

3. You can mark special marks for 10/20/30m for easy orientation

4. Mark at least 5m over your target depth.

5. Shorten the line by using a “chain sinnet” to prevent knotting

6. Attach the weight using a weight belt or a different system.

The anchor

1. Attach the anchor to one side of the second line Attach the D-ring to the other side.

2. It is advisable to use a system that will allow you to deploy as much line as you wish.

Take a deep breath, remove the snorkel and begin your dive.