K2 Equipment: Sealife Mini II (SL-330) New for 2011 , A Thoughtful Review

If you’re one who will probably really like spending your holiday getaway time near beach locations as well as diving and snorkeling places as opposed to the great outdoors in high altitude far away from civilization, then you would be well advised to tote around some sort of underwater-capable digital camera. We’re looking at either an underwater case for your photographic camera, or if you need to get more direct, a watertight shooter.

SeaLife promises to appeal to that particular market with their new Mini II Dive & Sport digital camera, as this 9-megapixel shooter could very well be small in stature, but it is most certainly no slouch when it comes to performance. Capable of snapping shots all your great underwater and outdoor adventures, the Mini II also comes with an intuitive interface so that you need not squander precious oxygen underwater when having an anxiety attack on messing with it's control buttons.

One standout feature of the Mini II would be its ruggedness - how many of you can say the same for your underwater equipment? Granted, this is a whole lot cheaper than the professional gear that you tote around, so the Mini II clearly targets casual users instead of seasoned professionals. The truly amphibious shooter is both waterproof and shockproof, where it is guaranteed to function underwater at depths down to 130 feet without the need for an external housing.

Not only that, its rubber armor also delivers a surefire grip, even when it is wet, and will still be able to keep on shooting even if you drop it from 2 meters high. An unbreakable ruggedized body approximately helps make the Mini II virtually crushproof, however we wouldn’t need to go ahead and take possibility by just having a shark bite into this since we’re sure it will likely be destroyed in no time.

There are new underwater modes in the Mini II, making it a snap to use and eliminate the common blue hues of images taken underwater. With the Terrain Auto setting, it will automatically handle direct exposure and internal flash. When you’re under the water, the Sea Mode brightens up the exposure while reducing the “blue effect,” and also the Snorkel Mode handles exposure and color correction in shallow-water settings.

Would you pay $229.95 to take the SeaLife Mini II with you on your next diving grand adventure?

Edwin G.

 

Thanks so much Edwin, what a great write-up for this amazing new camera.  Folks, we just got a shipment in, so ping us at 866-523-4846?!  Don’t wait too long, we sell out fast!

Tevis

Thursday is THE BEACH GEAR day at Flipilicious: Tilos UV Protection 6oz Rash Guards

Stolen from Flipilicious!

So Ingrid says to Elmer, "honeykins, do you think I would look as sexy as that sexy hunka lovin' in the picture?" Elmer carefully lobs back, "nope!  But if you don't get sompthin' to put on that pasty skin of yours you are gonna go all lobstery again. . . " 

Can you imagine how cranky a lobstered missus can be?!

Cover up god's creation with this gorgeous 6 oz SPF 50+ Tilos Rash Guard, and save yourself the pain and agony of another peeling, blistering, puss fest as you nurture your open wounds. . . . .

. . .ahem, even grossed ourselves out!

Um, skin cancer kills. . . don't be stingy. . .or be wicked smart cheap and get a bunch of these puppies for friends, you wive's girlfriends, or wife & your girlfriend. . . and the kids!.   They come in white/grey for the men's, and pink for the women's and the tranny's. . .

the intel on your schweet TILOS UV Rash Guards (female & male) short sleeve 6oz

4-way stretch UV flex

Provides excellent protection against UV rays

Highest quality 6oz UV FLEX material

Flat-Stitched throughout entire suit

Waist loop for shorts to tie; secure top from riding up

• Model: RG206 (male) & RGW107 (female)
• Two colors white/grey & pink/white

Sizes available (men's):  S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Sizes available (women's): XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL We will email you and ask what color and size you wish.  No guarantees we will have it so pick two sizes.  Or be the first and get you run of the litter. . . . early bird gets the squishy worm. . .

Think longer than 24 hours, or if we run out while you are pondering lycra, and you will feel like a big fat looooser! Flip on girlfriend. . .Flip on!

Mask Monday on Flipilicious! Tilos Excel Frameless Scuba/Snorkeling Mask

This is a quiet, insider offer for our RSS Feed subscribing Blog Tribal Members.  You get first notice of this wicked deal from our friends at  Flipilicious!

This is a killer deal on your new scuba/snorkel mask that you will find at www.flipilicious.com too low here to mention!

The Tilos Excel Scuba Mask is a continuation of the trend toward the frameless mask designs becoming so popular with scuba divers.

Tilos Excel is the best of both worlds! You get an absolutely great design at a budget price.  The Tilos Excel does not have the plastic or metal lens frame found on most masks.

Instead, the lenses are molded directly into the soft, silicone skirt in a single molding operation.  This mask has the lower tear-drop shape used by many designs to improve the downward visibility

It is narrower at the temples for a good fit, but widens again at the eyebrow to provide improved vision when glancing up.

The skirt of the Tilos Excel is extremely soft and the mask has molded ridges at the top and bottom from an improved grip when doffing and donning.

The strap attachment is molded directly to the mask skirt, providing more comfort and a better fit.  The Tilos Excel received excellent reviews in a recent issue of Scuba Diving magazine, even earning a reviewers comparison of a MUCH more expensive masks from another manufacturer.

• Frameless Design Lowers Internal Volume
• TearDrop Lens Shape for Increased Downward Vision
• Narrow at Temples - Wide at Eyebrows for Upward Vision
• Soft Black Silicone Skirt for Good Fit
• Molded Ridges Around Lens for Improved Grip
• Strap Buckles are Molded to the Skirt for Improved Comfort and Fit

As always, move fast, it is one deal, one day, and when it is gone. . .it is GONE!

Tevis

Scuba Diver: Don’t get spanked by the TSA (Transportation Safety Commission)

Savvy Dive Travelers and the TSA Rules and Regulations

 

DiverWire senior contributing editor John Flanders  and boss man at Academy of Scuba did some research this week on scuba travel and related challenges. In the first of a three-part series, he looks at TSA restrictions and their impact on divers.

Traveling with Scuba gear offers many challenges.  However, the thought of using rental gear on that “dive trip of a life-time” is enough to make an Open Water Diver cringe.  The good news is you CAN bring scuba gear on-board an aircraft - however a savvy traveler understands the TSA rules and airline baggage restrictions.

First let’s look at the Transportation Security Authority (TSA) rules and restrictions. The TSA has nothing to do with weight considerations, but everything about what you can carry on to an aircraft and what you check in the cargo hold.
Travelers may bring regulators, buoyancy compensators and masks, snorkels and fins as carry-on or checked baggage. In fact, it is quite surprising how easily these items pass through the TSA scanners without a wink of scrutiny from the TSA personnel. As a rule, all traveling divers should carry on their Scuba regulators, computers and submersible pressure gauges.  These items are part of the life support system and shouldn’t be left to possible damage in the airplane’s cargo hold.  If you wouldn’t check your laptop computer, why would you check your dive computer?
For travelers who need their pony bottle, Spare Air™, or rebreather bottles at their destination, there is good news: Compressed Scuba cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carry-on only if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e. the cylinder has an open end).  The cylinder must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection inside. I tape the end of the Scuba cylinder with “painter’s tape” and attach a note to the TSA security officer to replace it after inspection.  To date, I have not had an issue doing this.
As a rule, TSA Security Officers will not remove the seal or regulator valve from the cylinder at the checkpoint.  If the cylinder is sealed (i.e. the regulator valve is still attached), the cylinder is prohibited and not permitted through the security checkpoint, regardless of the reading on the pressure gauge indicator. TSA Security Officers must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.

Of course, it is no surprise, that dive tools (a.k.a knives) are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage.  If you travel with a small tool pouch or spare parts kit, you should check those items as well. Spear guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. A quick tip, knives and spear guns cannot be brought to a security checkpoint. Pack these items in your checked baggage. If you bring these items to a checkpoint, there it is almost guaranteed that the TSA will confiscate them and a fair chance that you may miss your flight while being detained by the TSA.
Like any other baggage, Scuba bags will be scanned and probably hand searched by TSA officials.  Do not pack anything suspicious. As always, safety being the highest priority, the TSA requests that all Scuba divers should sheath or securely wrap any sharp objects you pack in your checked luggage to prevent it from injuring baggage handlers and security officers.

The TSA has gone to great lengths to inform travelers and specifically traveling Scuba divers.  To learn more about TSA rules, information and prohibited items please visit www.tsa.gov.

Liquid Image Video/Still Photo Scuba Mask Review at K2 Scuba

Keep your hands free as you dive! This is the world's only dive mask that has an integrated waterproof HD 720p digital video camera plus photographs at 5 mega pixels.

 

This is actual video shot by this wicked slick camera:

Operates to a depth of 115' and eliminates the need to carry an underwater camera.
Ideal for scuba diving, spear fishing, free diving and snorkeling. Light attachment accessories available.

This has just been released on the market and we are selling it at K2 for $299.97

Liquid Image Video/Still Photo Scuba Mask (HD320 Mid), Blue

 

Technical Features:

Video - HD 720P, 30fps

Internal Memory - 64MB

Capacity - Micro SD/SDHC up to 32GB

Certified to 32m (115ft)

Attachment for lights

Audio Recording

Transparent Black Silicon Skirt

Lever Buttons

2 Size Silicon Skirts - Large and Mid Size

Technical Specifications:

Image Sensor
1/2.5" 5.0 Mega Pixels CMOS sensor

Pixels
Still Image: 5.0MP

Image Resolution
Still Images: 2560 x 1920

Video: 1280 x 720, HD 720P

Digital Video Recording Rate?
Up to 30fps @720P

Internal NAND flash Memory
64MB

Storage Medium
Micro SD/SDHC (up to 32GB)

Lens
2G2P fix lens

Lens Aperture
F/2.8 f=8.5mm

Lens Focus
0.5m to infinity

Shutter Speed
Stills: 1/4 to 1/1000 seconds

Sensitivity
Auto: ISO 100-200

White Balance
Automatic

Audio
Integrated microphone, no speaker

Display
Status LCD Panel

Storage Capacity with 32GB card
Still 36800 images (2560x1920) *

Storage Capacity with 32GB card
Video 960 mins *

Data Format
Picture: JPEG, Video: H.264 with Audio

Support System
Windows 2000/XP/Vista and Mac 10.4 or above

No Software required to download files

Interface
USB 2.0 High Speed

Optional Editing Software
TBD

Power Supply
4xAAA Batteries

Battery Performance
Lithium Batteries - Stills 2000, Videos 2hrs **

Alkaline Batteries - Stills 500, Videos 16 mins **

Weight
360g (with batteries, micro SD card)

Dimensions
8.9cm x 18.7cm x 13.3cmH

Standard Accessories
USB Cable, Optional Editing Software CD,

Manual, Silicon Tube, and Lithium Batteries

Optional Accessories
1W Head & Side Lights, MP4 Viewer

* Estimated Minimum Data Storage Capacity
** Estimated Minimum Battery Performance

Items Included

Includes:
2GB MicroSD Memory Card Digital Camera Mask
USB Cable
User Manual
Carrying Case
ArcSoft Photo Impression Software
ArcSoft Video Impression Software
2 AAA Energizer Lithium Batteries included!

Now, your turn!  What do you think of this, is it gimmicky and a fad, or is it the future or underwater video and photography?

Why have you bought this?  Why won’t you?

Leave your comments below!

Zeagle is coming out with a new, limited edition BCD: the Zeagle Wicked!

Debuting 30 March 2010

The new wicked cool Zeagle Wicked BCD

New custom colors

Zeagle has always been known for hand making each of its custom BCs here in our factory in Florida.Now we have even more color options to choose from! Made from the backbone of the Famous Zeagle Ranger LTD, this BCD  lives true to it’s name in styling, fit, and technological innovation

The Tie-Dye material we have acquired is a very exclusive and unique material that is hand dyed in one yard increments. This results in a completely unique piece of fabric every time it is brought in the door here at Zeagle. The process is expensive and time consuming (not all colors will be available at all times, not all sections of the BC will be able to be made from this material) but this means every BC cut with these colors will be completely different from the one before and you will get a color pattern that is as unique as you are.

The hardware

The high-strength solid brass D-rings are uncoated and pre-oxidized to add to the design style. The pre-stressed plastic hardware is heavy duty throughout. Of course, this product is backed by Zeagle's usual high standards and limited lifetime warranty.

 

The artwork

Zeagle has placed a tribal design on the vest and bladder. This is to add cultural appeal and individuality to the product. With the number of people wearing ink these days, it seems like a natural addition to this unique concept. Each Wicked BC includes a small temporaryWicked tattoo just for fun.

Legendary Ranger Construction, available in both male and female styles

• Stylish Tribal artwork and logo
• Stone washed denim type cordura fabric
• Pre-oxidized, uncoated solid brass D-rings
• Pre-stressed HD plastic hardware
• "Aged" appearance

We are getting only 12 units in various colors and sizes. We are taking orders and $100 deposits for this schweet BCD right now!

Contact Debby at 818 982 2652 and give us your sizing and preferences RIGHT NOW!

Mares Icon HD, New Revolution in Dive Computers

Color My Dive World

• TFT LCD color display.

• Double diving mode options, Extend and Profile

• Stores images and dive site maps.

ICON HD is a True full-color display computer. Its screen is made using LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology.

An intuitive software, the use of large characters, and the contrast created by using different colors, makes the on screen information easy to read, immediate and clear.

During the dive besides the standard navigation mode EXTEND, divers can switch to a second dive mode PROFILE.

ICON HD processes and shows the full dive curve in real time. The computer memory allows the storage of images and photos, including digital maps of diving spots.

What is RGBM?

The Mares-Wienke RGBM (Reduced Gradient Bubbles Model) algorithm takes into account the phenomenon of micro-bubbles in order to prevent their formation to the greatest possible extent. In over 10,000 real dives monitored by Dr. Bruce Wienke in the Los Alamos laboratories, the formation of micro-bubbles has been studied and evaluated in order to better understand the mechanism behind how micro-bubbles are formed during a dive. Today it is the most evolved algorithm for reducing the formation of micro-bubbles without compromising dive times.

More Technical Junk du jour that Puppy has:

• RGBM
• Nitrox Function
• Push Buttons
• Free Dive
• Backlighting
• Log Book
• Permanent Backlight
• Mineral Glass Display
• Mineral Glass with "Sapphire Coating"
• Superior Display Readability
• TFT LCD COLOR DISPLAY
• Dive Simulator
• RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
• Prudential Programs
• Digital compass with full tilt
• REPROGRAMMABLE PROCESSOR
• Reset Residual Nitrogen
• Interface
• Fresh water / seawater setting
• Deep Stop
• Easy Access
• software upgradeability
• Powerful Backlight
• Extended logbook data memory
• Precautionary Program Settings
• Residual Nitrogen Memory Reset
• Special Function Modes
• PC-Interface
• User-Repleaceable Batteries
• Air Integrated

Air integration upgrade will be available spring 2010.

Lobster Season is Coming, Innovative Lobster Inn!

Lobster hunting has has become a favorite past time for scuba diving aficionados. Your lobster catching bag is a definite item These massive crustaceans are quite difficult to catch, but are definitely worth it ( just go to your local seafood restaurant and check out what the current market price of lobster-good boogly woogly ). 

The bugs, as divers like to call them, can make for a savory dinner, especially after a day of diving.  Lobstering has been a long-time hunting activity, traced back to the 1800s, when these creatures were first collected by hand when they were washed up in tide pools or shorelines.  Nowadays, especially with the discovery of scuba appliances, catching lobster has turned into a sport among divers.  Very similar to fishing, it's regulated, but common species of lobster aren't endangered ( having few natural predators ).  Of course, lobstering can be difficult - it usually involves chasing after the lobster and catching with a net and putting it into a bag. 

Here is the schweet Innovative Lobster Inn Bag that California Divers Prefer:

This kit has everything you want to catch those hard crustaceans.  The snare can be operated with one hand, and made of a light, strong PVC material.  Unlike a traditional net, this device will permit you to secure your catch easily. 

The tapered tube opening has an innovative one-way flap to make it easy to slip your catch in, and keep all his buddies from getting out. The mesh portion allows water through and has Velcro opening.
Easy one handed operation No more losing lobster and wasting time with 2 handed bags Tapered PVC opening includes handle, Velcro opening for easy removal of game.

Beware Buying a Scuba Mask Until You Read This!

 

While diving, you clear your mask or you are screwed. You need to secure the mask at your forehead and exhale from your nose to clear the mask.

Because you want to clear the mask with your exhaled breath the volume of air between the mask and your face is crucial.

The more air the harder it will be to clear. We are pleased with the Tilos Excel Scuba Mask, and the Oceanic Shadow Mask.

 

A SCUBA mask will also need a soft area around the nose so you can pinch your nose to equalize the air space in you ears. Most masks come with either a clear silicone skirt or a black skirt. The same chemical process happens to the black skirt but you cannot see it. The selection of black or clear skirt can depend on which side of the camera you are on.

If you are taking photos or video the black skirt will reduce glare and make it simpler to see the things in the view finder. A clear skirt will be better if someone is a bit claustrophobic because it will permit more light around your eyes.

There a many styles of masks. A dual-lens mask has two lenses and generally dual-lens masks are lower volume than single-lens masks of relative equal size.

A breathtaking view mask with twin lenses will be rather smaller volume. Typically the more glass you've got the more you can see. With the panoramic you are not looking out the side window but you'll see movement and be ready to turn to the movement.

These masks are the super premium of the group as they leave unfettered your range of vision. The two we most suggest are the Tilos Excel Scuba Mask and Oceanic Shadow Mask.

Quoting Scuba Diving Magazine: The Tilos Excel was the massive surprise of this review. It had one of the widest fields of view and a budget-friendly price . With a wide bottom and teardrop shapes below the eyes, the lens favors downward viewing, superb for finding belts and buckles on a BC. It all adds up to a combined vertical range of 75 degrees, the same vertical field of view as the two Atomic masks in this review. Bonus : The upper and lower corners of the mask have a tread-like texture that helps wet hands grip the mask when donning and doffing.

For experienced divers who dive in really cold water or the public safety divers who desires to speak underwater there are full face masks. When deciding how to choose a scuba mask you should consider fit, skirt - clear or black, volume of air behind the mask, range of vision, and of course color.

At K2 Scuba we strongly suggest you try on masks at a retailer tha will take some time, in the flesh or by phone to fit the mask to you. It is by a long way the most critical criteria for choosing a mask. A poorly fitting mask will flood and raise nervousness in your diving experience. Your mask is an integral part of your scuba diving equipment, and as such care must be taken in the selection. . .like all of your scuba gear.

The New Oceanic OC1 Dive Computer/Dive Compass/Dive Watch is Now Available!

BREAKING NEWS! Oceanic and DiveNav, Inc. announce the availability of theDiving® scuba diving simulator for the soon-to-be-released Oceanic OC1 Dive Computer. The OC1 is an advanced all-in-one dive computer featuring Oceanic's exclusive Dual Algorithm, wireless air-integration, digital compass, remote Buddy Pressure Check, and so much more. All in a strong, lightweight titanium housing. Scheduled for June 15,2009 delivery.

The New Oceanic OC1 Dive Computer is an all-in-one dive computer featuring a precision digital compass, dot matrix display, wireless Buddy Pressure Check and so much more.

SmartGlo backlighting and audible alarms keep you current when every second counts.

 

• Precision Digital Compass including North, reference modes and declination adjustment

• Titanium Housing  

• Dot Matrix Display provides superior readability and intuitive user interface

• Digital Watch, Air, Nitrox, Gauge and Free Dive Modes

• Switch between up to 3 independent wireless transmitters, tracking 3 Nitrox mixes or buddy’s tank pressure with Buddy Pressure CheckTM

• Audible Alarms with User Acknowledgment

• SmartGlo® Backlighting

• Includes OceanLog® PC Download and Settings Upload Software and USB cable Sport Divers Magazine

Sport Divers Magazine - Editor’s Pick – March 2009

COOL FACTOR

Enough functionality to make 007’s gadget man, Q, raise an eyebrow in approval.

KEY FEATURES

This do-everything machine includes a digital compass, dot-matrix display and functionality to switch among three wireless transmitters. The latter allows for a buddy pressure-check function. Four dive modes handle air, nitrox, gauge and free-dive duties, and the dot-matrix display is crisp and easy on the eyes. All of this comes wrapped in a strong, lightweight titanium housing. SmartGlo backlighting works great in low-light conditions and at night, and the system includes Oceanic’s software along with a USB cable for integration with a PC.

 

For the Scuba Diving Equipment Enthusiast, this is the first adopter must have! Do what others have already done and

 

BUY NOW by clicking Here

What about Diving the Continent of Africa? Specifically Mauritania

Hi All, my friend Paul Hunter of www.AfricanDiver.com has just published his latest issue on Adobe Acrobat.pdf

Membership has its privileges, so either click on the picture above, OR click on this link:  http://www.africandiver.com/articles/issues/africandiver_issue5.pdf

Your issue should open in its own window. . and you can right click to download. . . and then save it to your hard drive. .

OK, now that Ive wet your whistle. . who wants to roadtrip with me?

You make the arrangements, I will keep the lights on,

Tevis

Diving Scuba, or Diving Free. . Apnea. . . what gives?

Interesting question!

I sell stuff, mostly stuff called scuba gear, or scuba equipment.  For the past year we have been selling Omer, AB Biller, Riffe and Picasso Freediving Equipment as we are a concierge type of operation, and if you want it, we will bird dog it for you.  So on with the story, a customer asked me the other day,“what is the difference between snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving?” This is a very good question and not answered very well by the certifying agencies.  Some even warning against freediving. . .stoopid!

Snorkeling is easy squeezy!  Everyone can do it, no training is needed, all you need is a mask and snorkel; you may or may not have fins on. Normally snorkelers  are a happy bunch and stay on the surface,cruising around looking at the fish and corals underneath them.  Most snorkelers don't travel more than 10 or 20 fsw beneath them. A lot of folks then come back and  want to dive under the water, and see the fish up close.

Those that break the surface and use fins would be considered free divers. Many are now taking this to some real extremes, with the record being over 80 meters! (that is 240 fsw) For most free divers, 6 to 20 meters is the normal range. If you are going to try to become a serious free diver, it is time for professional training for a host of good reasons.

Competitive free diving, of course, has its own rules and governing bodies. There are different categories. In "Constant Weight" the diver follows a line to a certain depth and then swims back up, all on his or her own power.In "Variable Weight" the diver uses a weighted sled to go down, then swims back up.In "No Limit," the diver uses a sled to go down, then inflates an airbag at the bottom and holds on to that to get back to the surface. The depths reached are almost unimaginable. How can they do that?

Apparently, in free diving the rules are all different. With no compressed air to counter-balance the enormous water pressure, the lungs and other air cavities inside the body compress enormously. Conventional equalization of the ears and sinus only goes that far; beyond a certain depth the divers do "water equalization, " i.e. they let salt water into the sinus system in a practice that is described as entirely unpleasant. And another phenomenon takes place when a "blood shift" keeps the lungs from collapsing. It's a residual from ancient times perhaps, from our genetic past, but it works (not that I'd ever want to experience it).

Some folks say freediving is much more dangerous than scuba diving just by watching slick videos.  It is an extreme sport, tho when you break it down to its foundation. . .Freediving  and scuba diving have safety rules that are inviolate. . . screw with them and you die!

Scuba Diving would be using mask, fins and a tank of air, usually they will have a scuba jacket attached to the tank called a “BCD” also attached to the scuba take would be a set of regulators, in diver lingo referred to as “regs” or “octo’s” which will have normally 2 hoses with regulators, and a low pressure hose or 2, as well as a information package containing 1, 2 or 3 different pressure and depth gauges, compass and computers. Scuba divers will also have some other equipment like weights and knives (for freeing themselves from underwater entanglements) lights, underwater cameras and underwater video cameras are common accouterments to see on scuba divers.

Types of scuba sets
Modern scuba sets are of two types:

open-circuit (In Europe, it is often called an "aqualung". Here the diver breathes in from the equipment and all the exhaled gas goes to waste in the surrounding water. This type of equipment is relatively simple, making it cheaper and more reliable. The two-hose design originally used was the one designed by Cousteau and Gagnan. The single-hose design generally used today was invented in Australia .
closed-circuit/semi-closed circuit (also referred to as a rebreather). Here the diver breathes in from the set, and breathes back into the set, where the exhaled gas is processed to make it fit to breathe again. These existed before the open-circuit sets and are still used, but less so than open-circuit sets.Both types of scuba provide a means of supplying air or other breathing gas, nearly always from a high pressure diving cylinder, and a harness to strap it to the diver's body. Most open-circuit scuba and some rebreathers have a demand regulator to control the supply of breathing gas. Some "semi-closed" rebreathers only have a constant-flow regulator, or occasionally a set of constant-flow regulators of various outputs.

Some divers use the word "scuba" to mean open-circuit sets only.

Snorkeling or SCUBA? Schweet UltraDry-Ness with the Oceanic UltraDry Snorkel

THE BEST DRY SNORKEL!"
Scuba Diving Magazine, December 2005

The name says it all. Designed to be exactly what its name suggests, the ULTRA DRY snorkel incorporates  Oceanic's patented Dry Snorkel Technology into an ultra-low profile product that is ergonomically designed for comfort and function.

This technology creates a seal to virtually eliminate water entering the snorkel barrel, while achieving superior air flow performance on the surface.

· Patented Dry Snorkel Technology virtually eliminates water entry without sacrificing performance

· Oversized purge valve for easy clearing

· Quick-release swiveling snorkel keeper

· Drop away smooth bore flex mouthpiece

· Replaceable 100% liquid silicone mouthpiece and purge valve

· *NEW* Mini Version features the same fine qualities as the Ultra Dry, but with a mouthpiece designed for smaller adults and youths.

30-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: We guarantee that at any time during the first 30 days of purchase, your Oceanic scuba gear fails to meet your expectations, that product may be exchanged by K2, a participating Authorized Oceanic Pro Dealer. No questions asked.

Silent Diving Systems Recalls Scuba Diving Hoses Due to Drowning Hazard

 

February 26, 2009

THE FOLLOWING PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL WAS VOLUNTARILY CONDUCTED BY THE FIRM IN COOPERATION WITH THE CPSC. CONSUMERS SHOULD STOP USING THE PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED.

NAME OF PRODUCT: CRIMPED LOW PRESSURE DIVING HOSES

UNITS: ABOUT 820

IMPORTER: SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS LLC, OF CENTER CONWAY, N.H.

MANUFACTURER: AMBIENT PRESSURE DIVING LTD., OF HELSTON, CORNWALL, UNITED KINGDOM

HAZARD: DIVING HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN MADE WITHOUT CRIMPS, WHICH CAN ALLOW GAS TO LEAK OR WATER TO ENTER INTO THE RE-BREATHER UNIT OF THE SCUBA DIVING EQUIPMENT, POSING A DROWNING HAZARD TO THE USER.

INCIDENTS/INJURIES: NONE REPORTED.

DESCRIPTION: THE CRIMPED HOSES ARE USED TO CARRY THE AIR SUPPLY IN THE RE-BREATHING DIVING SYSTEM. THE HOSES WERE SOLD ON THREE RE-BREATHING MODELS: INSPIRATION, EVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION PLUS. HOSES WITH A SMOOTH (UNCRIMPED) COLLAR AND WITH THE MODEL NUMBERS LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL:

AP300/15
ADV SUPPLY HOSE

RB20/03
OXYGEN INJECTION HOSE

EV20/03
OXYGEN INJECTION HOSE

RB20/10
BUZZER HOSE

EV11A/1
VISION HANDSET HOSE

RB11A/1
CLASSIC HANDSET HOSE

RB11/B
HANDSET HOSE

AP300/10
ADV HOSE

AP300/38
ADV HOSE

HOSES WITH EIGHT FLATS ON THE HOSE COLLAR HAVE BEEN CRIMPED AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

SOLD BY: SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS NATIONWIDE FROM JANUARY 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 2008 FOR ABOUT $60. RE-BREATHERS WERE SOLD FOR ABOUT $10,000.

MANUFACTURED IN: ENGLAND

REMEDY: CONSUMERS WITH THE RECALLED HOSES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP USING THE HOSES AND CONTACT SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT HOSE. ALL KNOWN PURCHASERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY BY SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS REGARDING THE RECALL.

CONSUMER CONTACT: FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS TOLL-FREE AT (877) 336-4077 BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ET MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, OR VISIT THE FIRM’S WEB SITE AT WWW.SILENTDIVING.COM

 

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