The Scubacraft SC6 is a 250 horsepower, 50mph, 6-seater surface speedboat with the ability to dive below the waves at the touch of a button and become an open-top submarine capable of reaching depths of almost 100 feet (30 meters). More or less something you expect to see in Gi-Joe or the next James Bond Movie…

Based on Gizmag, “Before you submerge, you’ll have to put your scuba gear on, and once you’re in the drink, a separate electric propulsion system powers you along at a more sedate 3 knots, for up to 90 minutes. Being a 6-seater, it’s the sort of thing that would work well in the arsenal of a tour operator or leisure resort; you could use its quick, manoeverable trimaran shape to get your passengers to the dive spot in speed and style, then don the scuba gear and drop under for an unforgettable underwater cruise.”

So the question is: How much this beauty cost? Well. for sure more than a normal DPV and a little bit more than your normal convertible.. the price tag goes over 100.000 british pounds, but who really cares?  This will give you the ride/dive of your life and for sure!

Check it out at: http://www.scubacraft.com/

So, we are talking about Liquid Image Scuba… that is a diving facemask with a side-mounted HD video camera. All you have to do is line up the crosshairs on the mask with the thing you want to photograph, then press the button on the mask to take the footage. It’s the equivalent of a five megapixel camera and can go as far down as 115 feet.

The camera/mask records video at 720p 1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second with audio. The mask also features a still shot camera mode that can snap stills at 5MP 2560 x 1920 resolution. The camera can withstand pressure at depths of 35 meters and has large lever style buttons for use with diving gloves.

This is such a smart idea, that I can’t believe this is just the first time we see it on the market. For sure the guys from Liquid Image are pretty smart and I can see that this mask can change the way we record dives…

for more info, check it out at…

http://www.liquidimageco.com/products/cameras/320/index.html

After spending three summers of fun with an older model of the Pentax Optio, it’s with great joy that I see Pentax has announced the latest version of the Optio, the WS80 waterproof camera. This version is only rated waterproof down to 5 feet, which if you think about it, ain’t much. It’s not gonna make it past the shallow end of the pool. But, the reality is, most people don’t use it underwater — it’s more valuable as a camera that’s safe to use at the beach, on the boat, in the dirt, (waterproof and dustproof) or in my case, kept in the back of a sweaty bike jersey, rain or shine.

The WS80 has a 10 megapixel CCD, with 720p video capability at 30 fps. It has a face detection, Smile Capture and Blink Detection (both a little creepy, if you ask me) and still and video image stabilization.

The WS80 is available in either black with orange accents or white with purple (which, by the way, matches my bike) and will retail for $250. Is it the best waterproof camera out there, or is it suitable for your next scuba adventure? Nope, but for most outdoor activities, dirty, dusty, wet, or sweaty, it’s probably just fine.

The Ulysse Nardin Diver Perpetual Limited Edition watch introduced at Baselworld 2009 deftly combines the unquestioned sporting competence of a diving instrument with a brilliant perpetual calendar complication offering calendar adjustment both forwards and backwards with a simple turn of the crown.  In keeping with the theme seen in the Ulysse Nardin’s 2009 Maxi Marine Diver watches, this timepiece presents a case in titanium, and a strikingly attired orange and black unidirectional rotating bezel.

The Ulysse Nardin Diver Perpetual Limited Edition watch measures 45mm across, and features a screw-down winding crown protected by polished titanium shoulders.  Uncompromising in its exotic flavor, the black carbon fiber dial showcases black skeleton hands and hour markers attired with orange luminous material.  Ulysse Nardin’s patented big date mechanism appears in the upper right section of the dial, above a triad of windows which display day of the week, the month, and the two-digit year.  An applied semi-circular sector at 9 o’clock presents the small seconds on two scales via a black and orange hand.

A sapphire exhibition window in the caseback of the Ulysse Nardin Diver Perpetual Limited Edition watch reveals the ingenious self-winding mechanical movement and its 22-karat white gold rotor.  Familiar from other Ulysse Nardin perpetual calendar models, this ingenious caliber relies upon an ingenious system of wheels and Maltese crosses to effect simple adjustment of the calendar.  Assuming the watch continues to run, calendar adjustments occur automatically from month to month.  At the end of December, all displays, including the year advance in precise synchrony.

The Ulysse Nardin Diver Perpetual Limited Edition watch will be produced in a series of 500 pieces.  The timepiece is fitted with a rubber strap that features a push-button actuated titanium clasp, and titanium elements engraved with the Ulysse Nardin brand signature and the words “Limited Edition”.  An anti-reflective sapphire crystal optimizes visibility and resistance to scratches under difficult situations.  Water resistance of the model is rated for 300 meters.

If you simply can’t afford this watch, you may consider by getting another one from

http://www.diverwatchguide.com/

Anatoly Kudryashov and Jenny Xu from the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Mechatronics Engineering specialisation have designed a computerised system to automatically adjust a diver’s buoyancy if they get into trouble. The project was supervised by Associate Professor Vojislav Kecman and assisted by Technical Officer Rob Earl.

“The most important task for a diver while underwater is buoyancy control. Normally this is controlled manually by adding or releasing air in a buoyancy control device, which is worn like a jacket,” Anatoly says.

“To rise in the water, a diver adds air to the buoyancy control device. To sink, air is let out. If the buoyancy is not adjusted correctly, a diver may rise too rapidly or descend too quickly to an unsafe depth, risking serious injury or sometimes death,” Jenny says.

The Electronic Dive Buddy attaches to the buoyancy jacket and monitors the diver’s motion while underwater. It automatically adjusts buoyancy if an unsafe depth or velocity is reached. The device also has a ‘cruise control’ feature, allowing divers to automatically maintain a desired depth in the water.

Anatoly, who is in avid diver, couldn’t understand why computer control hadn’t been introduced to scuba diving and decided to tackle the problem as part of his assessment for a Bachelor of Engineering Degree. Mechatronics Engineering students work in pairs to complete a major research project in their final year of study.

The Electronic Dive Buddy prototype was tested in the laboratory and in a 4.7 metre deep swimming pool.

“Our tests so far have proven the device to work, so the next step is to look at its marketability. As far as I know, a device like this does not exist,” Anatoly says.

Anatoly and Jenny presented their findings at The Department of Mechanical Engineering project display day on Friday, 10 October 2008. The students received an IPENZ Award for the quality of their presentation and display.

He soon realized how implausible such a suit would be, however.
“We had the grand ambition of getting all of these patents and whatnot,” Flynn said.
He explained that humans, with their higher metabolism and larger bodies, would require more oxygen than a bubble suit could provide.
“You would need something the size of a small office to get the appropriate amount of surface area,” Flynn said.
“I never really got my hopes up too high on the scuba suit idea, I guess. It just seemed a little bit too far-fetched.”
In any case, Flynn and Bush’s primary objective was to learn how the bubbles worked, especially with respect to maintaining both stability and efficiency. The findings of their research were published in the Aug. 10 issue of Journal of Fluid Mechanics.
“People have understood for about 100 years or so that these bubbles attached to insects have an important respiratory function,” Flynn said. “We started thinking about the issues of gas exchange and surface chemistry that allows this to happen.”
When aquatic insects dive, bubbles form on their bodies and cling to their long, waxy hairs. Because they breathe through small openings on their bodies called spiracles, the insects can take in the oxygen trapped inside the bubbles.
Some aquatic insects exhaust this oxygen supply, and are forced to resurface and form new bubbles. But other insects, which were the focus of
Flynn’s research, can maintain the bubbles and use them as external “lungs,” with the bubble surfaces facilitating an exchange of oxygen with the surrounding water.
“It allows the insect to replenish oxygen constantly,” Flynn said. “In some cases, this lets the insect stay underwater indefinitely.”
The pygmy backswimmer, for example, can spend four to five months hibernating at the bottom of lakes, said Flynn. He also explains aquatic insects can dive down to 30 metres but in most cases, are found in water one metre deep.
Flynn also studied the behaviour of aquatic insects, and why they tend to flail while underwater. He learned this movement enables the insects to spread bubbles over their bodies.
While a usable “bubble scuba suit” may be far into mankind’s future,
Flynn thinks a reasonable application for his research would be for underwater robots, used by oceanographers and treasure seekers to do the “dirty work” of collecting samples.
The robots are powered by oxygen fuel cells. A bubble mechanism would let them stay underwater longer.
“I know that’s a little bit less glamorous than having humans exploit this technology,” Flynn said. “But you would have the possibility of at least doubling the amount of time these robots spend underwater.”

by

jyang@thejournal.canwest.com Source

We jut found this in Wired Magazine, and yes.. it seems insane, and for sure you will get crazy wanna-be Rambo-Divers that go and buy this lethal Knife.

“No, the Wasp Injector Knife is not a weapon for dispatching Vanderbilts and Roosevelts (although doubtless it could be pressed into this service). It is a surgical stainless steel knife with a gas canister in the handle. When you stab a victim, the knife “injects a freezing cold ball of compressed gas, approximately the size of a basketball, at 800psi nearly instantly.”

It is primarily for use by divers, where the sudden injection of gas will cause Jaws (or any other leviathan) to speed toward the surface before they burst, effectively removing them from the fight and also safely carrying their shark-baiting blood along with them. There are also hunting versions, and the site lists “tactical uses” amongst the features. However, this is only meant for self defense or justifiable revenge: The blurb also tells us that “WASP Injection Systems, Inc. does not condone the killing of innocent creatures.”

We imagine more harmless uses — primarily pranks. Slip this into your dinner partner’s place setting next time you are at the steakhouse and watch as hilarity ensues, transforming the dining room into a scene from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. From $380.

Check the video here.

Scuba Dive Knife

Lindsey Fox was injured on July 5, 2006 while swimming in a relative’s pool in Spokane, Washington with a mask manufactured by American Underwater Products, a company based in San Leandro, California that sells products as Oceanic Worldwide.

The lawsuit filed May 30 in Multnomah County Circuit Court claims the Oceanic mask was defective and seeks $28,414 to cover medical expenses, including reconstructive surgery, and $750,000 for pain and suffering.

Oceanic’s attorney, Matthew Monroe, says the mask was not defective but was being used improperly.

He also said only a small part of the girl’s nose was cut off in the accident and that it was successfully reattached by a plastic surgeon.

“When she grows up, the scar from the surgery likely will disappear,” Monroe said.

According to Fox’s attorney, James G. Breathouwer, the glass in the mask was improperly tempered.

Breathouwer said that Lindsey’s cousin came down a slide and her foot struck his client’s mask shattering its tempered glass.

But one piece of the glass did not shatter; instead it acted like a knife, severing the girl’s nose.

“Luckily, the family members had the presence of mind to retrieve the nose, which they found floating in the pool,” Breathouwer says. “A very skillful surgeon was able to reattach it.”

Before we review the wetsuit, let’s try to understand that the wetsuit market in Australia is a difficult one. Now a days you can find many international and famous wetsuit brands offering a vast range of products suitable for all sorts of activities and water temperatures… but it seems that regardless how famous these brands are, many companies are failing to bring real innovation to consumers. Over 90% of wetsuits out there, look the same, deliver the same result and sooner or later they disappear out of our memory without any “scuba glory” .

The Mega-strech steamer from Triple-X is a different species. Say bye bye to boring wetsuits, say hi to something different.

The first thing you notice in the wetsuit is that it looks very modern and very light, it reminds me of professional free diving wetsuits. The wetsuit looks strong and solid. Very impressive.

Ok, so trying the wetsuit on.

Putting on the Mega-stretch is not a fast process, but once the wetsuit is on, it feels like it rapidly shapes to your body. On the first contact with your skin you can feel where the warmeth will come from. The Titanium in the structure of the material is a vital part of the Triple-X range, so once it is on, the Triple X 5m steamer becomes like a second skin to your body. The way this wetsuits embraces your body is quite noticeable. The great point, is that it doesn’t feel like a 5mm, it feels like a 3m!, giving you a light feeling and an amazing in the water flexibility while keeping you pretty dam warm …

Again, this is thanks to the brains of Triple-X creating a product that keeps you warmer with less rubber. Obviously, the lack of thickness in the suit, is great news for any diver, giving you the option of diving with less weights, making your dive a “lighter” experience by giving you limited wetsuit buoyancy.

So how was the dive with the Triple-X 5m steamer? I have to confess that “interesting” would be the best word. As a diving instructor I’m used to diving with Semi dry suits, and it seems I forgot how much mobility I lost underwater. The Triple-X allowed me to give a more generous frog kick and gave me more freedom to demonstrate skills on the surface with my students. Also it seems my weight belt fitted better, thanks to less bulkiness around my body. Thin wetsuit, better grip.

So my experience with the Triple-X 5M was more than satisfactory. I really love to have this sort of wetsuit with me, it is the kind of suit you can use for any activity without sacrificing comfort and heat. For any person thinking of combining activities like windsurfing, kite surfing, free diving or spearfishing with scuba diving, this wetsuit would be a great addition to your equipment.

The wetsuit was tested in 16 C of water temperature in early November I performed 4 dives, 2 dives per day, keeping me warm during the time underwater.

PROS: Flexible (very!), keeps you warm all the time, drys very fast, easy to pack , low buoyancy. For 500 Dollars you can’t go wrong.

CONS: This is not a wetsuit to “jump fast and dive” . An option with incorporated hood would be nice.

Should you buy it: Yes – if you want an overall performer. If you do any other water activities go for it. It looks good , it feels good and it is an 100% original Aussie product.

For more info please check today: http://www.triple-x.com.au

Gabriel Machuret

PADI Instructor and Editor ScubaHerald.com

When I was young I wanted to own a Porche Carrera (A red one, please!). With the years, my love for the Porche grew, but as a diving instructor my financial options of purchasing a car like that, decreased fast. I find that Porche is one of that brands, it doesn’t matter where you are, or who you are, they are simply a classic. At least once in a lifetime, you have to drive. (or dive) 3 weeks ago, I took a dive with the Porche Carrera of diving: the Zeagle Ranger BCD

There are many similarities between the Porche Carrera and the Ranger BCD… and the main one is that once you are using it, you know that you are behind a solid and top product. A BCD that has been selling non stop throughout the years. The Zeagle Ranger is an all time best-seller in the diving industry.

For many people out there, a Porche Carrera may be sexy and attractive machine, but for the real automotive lovers, the Carrera is a beast hungry for racing and speed. The same thing happens with the Ranger BCD. If you are purchasing this to have a pretty BCD, don’t look here. This is not a pretty BCD, this is a solid product, a serious diving machine, a BCD produced to work in a serious and efficient way. A natural born performance BCD.

The Zeagle Ranger is a robust BCD , very welled built and strong looking. As soon as you jump in the water, you feel a bit like wearing a bullet proof jacket, the amount of rings in key locations make it easy to find place for bottles, reels, slates and cameras. The Ranger also comes with very comfortable side pockets, big enough to store all my gadgets and accesories.

So far so good….

After a few minutes underwater I started to understand why Zeagle is such an iconic diving brand in the US. While I was swiming down , I was concious I was using a classic, and old time favorite of many divers around the world.

The inflation system of the Ranger BCD works with a back wing, making ver confortable avoiding any pressure in the divers chest.
The Pocket weights are easy to remove and to control and during the whole dive I didn’t find any action too difficult or aquard to do while wearing this BCD.

The Ranger, is obviously perfect for any sort of divers, from begginer divers looking to experiment with a Back Buoyancy BCD, for experienced divers, this BCD seems to provide enough options in customization to give each diver the right experience.
The inflation speed and the amount of lift the Ranger can take makes it a clear candidate for any demanding tech diver.
After diving with the Ranger, I found myself confused.
The Ranger BCD is the sort of BCD that is not going to make you fall in love with it, but after diving with it, you simply can’t understand how you manged to do 1000 dives without it.

This is a BCD that you know, after you see it’s strong build, it will outlast you … and as with any review I always try to find the negative points… but with the Ranger it is difficult. I find that the Ranger is one of those products, that with so much reputation behind it, I’m not really in the position to make any negative comments. The RANGER BCD from Zeagle is what is it: A classic

Our Zeagle BCD was provided by DiveTub.com.au www.divetub.com.au