Mares All in One: Review, Visibility, and DSMB Parachute (2026)

At the end of a drift dive, suspended at a depth of five meters in the blue, as the current carries you away from the reef, the surface marker buoy (SMB) is your only link to the surface. In a choppy sea where waves and foam obscure the silhouettes of divers, an SMB that is too short or that deflates upon contact with the waves becomes a critical hazard. The Mares All in One SMB was developed to ensure perfect verticality and immediate visual signaling for support boats.

The Mares All in One SMB is designed with a specific architecture, featuring a length of 180 cm. Its high-visibility orange color was chosen to provide maximum contrast on the water, minimizing the effects of sunlight reflections and marine foam.

Its internal volume guarantees sufficient positive buoyancy to keep the SMB line taut without excessively pulling on the diver during the safety stop. The integrated SOLAS reflective bands significantly enhance optical visibility during twilight or low-light dives.

Safety during deployment relies on a versatile and secure inflation system. The Mares All in One allows for controlled air injection, preventing sudden overpressure during a rapid ascent to the surface.The presence of a calibrated overpressure valve with a manual purge pull allows excess air to be released during volume expansion. At the surface, the non-return valve prevents any accidental deflation when the line relaxes on a wave crest.

With its straight 180 cm profile, this model stands proudly above the waterline, offering boat crew members an optimal sighting angle from hundreds of meters away.

Imagine a maritime signal buoy subjected to swells: if its air volume escapes from the bottom or if its structure lacks rigidity, it will sag on the water and disappear between the waves. The Mares All in One operates on the principle of a pressurized, sealed column: once deployed, its anti-return system and valve maintain a perfect straight geometry for visibility from a distance.

The durability of a drogue depends directly on the quality of its fabric and the integrity of its seams. The Mares All in One uses a high-tenacity nylon fabric coated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), assembled with watertight high-frequency welds.

This construction remarkably resists repeated friction, abrasion from salt, and premature aging caused by UV rays during prolonged surface exposure.## 4. Ergonomics, Compactness, and Storage (D4: 3.9 / 5 - Weighting 10%)

Once deflated and rolled up, the Mares All in One has a minimal footprint, easily fitting into a thigh pocket or under the strap of a buoyancy compensator (BCD).

The stainless steel D-ring located at the base allows for a direct and secure attachment of your finger spool with a stainless steel double-ender.

Priced at a suggested retail price of €56, this model offers a level of technical performance perfectly aligned with the safety requirements of modern diving.

The table below classifies the suitability of the Mares All in One based on your skill level and diving conditions:

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Explore our DSMB surface marker buoy comparison tool and our entire range of diving tools to compare this model with all available options.