Scuba Rebreathers: Self-Contained Life Support

Posted on February 13, 2011 by SB

A Closed Circuit Scuba Rebreather (CCR) works by recycling your breath. When you insert the mouthpiece into your mouth and breathe into it, the air goes through a system that removes moisture and carbon dioxide and adds oxygen so you can use the air again. It is a very efficient system that allows the diver to stay in one place while underwater rather than bob up and down. The advantages of a rebreather system are that you won’t leave behind any air bubbles (for stealth diving), and you won’t waste any oxygen.

Rebreathers have facemasks that connect to the system, which straps on your back. The connection is called “the loop,” since it is the avenue for cleaning (scrubbing) your exhaled breath and supplying you with refreshed oxygen. You are going to need to breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrox for safety reasons, but the manual on the rebreather will show you how to adjust the levels.

The scrubber is the main component that cleans your exhalations of carbon dioxide. It uses packed soda lime to remove most of it. The bailout is the final component in the rebreather system. It’s more of a backup feature on rebreathers, so it’s not always available. Wearing a rebreather means you do not have to worry about decompression stops when ascending. Here’s an example of a high-quality system you can find online:

VR Technology Sentinel Scuba Rebreather

The VR is the ultimate “life-support system” while you are diving. At $9,000, this machine can accurately monitor your diving conditions and adjust them accordingly. You don’t even have to press a power button – just strap it on and breathe into the mouthpiece to activate it while you are underwater. To alert others to dangerous situations, the VR features a “Heads up Display” with vibrating alarms that also flicker.

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The 3 Different Types of Scuba Fins

Posted on January 27, 2011 by SB

Scuba fins aren’t all alike. There are actually three main types: paddle fin, split fin, and force fin. All of them are designed to make you swim faster and better in deep water, but each type has its pros and cons. Whichever type you end up buying will improve your diving experience, but you may prefer one to the other. The only way to find out is to try on different fin designs to see what you like. Remember that it takes a few diving trips to really get used to a new pair of scuba fins.

Paddle Fins

The most common type you see on divers is the paddle fin, which is basically a piece of rubber that helps propel you in the water. Human feet aren’t equipped for the water, so paddle fins act as an extension of our feet. Of all the scuba fin types, the paddle fin is generally the most affordable.

Force Fins

This type of fin is best for experienced divers. Since the fins are lighter, they are also quicker, which can be hard for someone to manage if he or she is new to diving. They will get you around faster, but you may feel clumsier than when you’re wearing paddle fins. The blades are made in a V-shape and are curved upward a little bit. This allows you to kick with less power than usual.

Split Fins

Split fins are a newer scuba design. They are actually split down the middle, leaving a gap, which is supposed to help you propel yourself better with fewer kicks. Split fins aren’t for everyone – advanced divers seem to prefer them. Also, if your kicks are smaller, it might be easier for you to adjust to these fins. ScubaPro makes a whole line of these, and they are available online.

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Zeagle Dive Systems: BC Vests

Posted on January 12, 2011 by SB

Dive systems, also called buoyancy systems or buoyancy compensators (BC), are the vests, jackets, or harnesses that keep all your dive gear together and give you buoyancy in the water. Zeagle has about eight different lines of dive systems with several vests in each line. Choose from “recreational,” “heavy-duty,” “specialized,” “custom” and “tie dye” dive systems, among a few others.

Heavy Duty Zeagle Dive Systems

The vests in this line are for experienced divers who need all the bells and whistles. The “Ranger W” is specially designed for a woman’s body, but the other vests are for men. The Ranger LTD stays on your torso with a few heavy-duty plastic buckles that are easy to adjust to your measurements. The dump valve is located on the right shoulder for quick and easy access, and it has several D-rings, a comfortable nylon waist panel for extra support, and two zippered pockets.

Recreational Zeagle Dive Systems

For divers who occasionally test the waters, a dive system that is a little cheaper will do the job nicely. Zeagle’s “Zeus” model won the 2009 Scuba Lab Tester’s Choice Award, so let’s look at why it’s so popular. The design itself is extremely secure with plastic buckles and a zipper up the front that covers your stomach area like a corset. It’s better for warm water diving, since the lift is about 24 pounds. You can put more weights inside the vest by unzipping the side compartments.

Testers liked the extra utility pockets and D-rings that allow you to add more accessories and carry your favorite dive items securely. It’s easy to put on and take off due to the zipper and chest buckle, and women can wear it as well. It also claims to fold up easily in a dive bag for traveling purposes, so you won’t have to struggle with bulky, wet materials post-dive.

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Six Scuba Gear Accessories You Should Own

Posted on December 28, 2010 by SB

Diving is a sport that requires certain pieces of equipment: fins, mask, air tank, etc. You need these items for a successful dive at any depth. If you want to heighten the diving experience, however, you can invest in some quality accessories that will really help you get the most out of your underwater excursions. Although you do not need these pieces of equipment, you may find them especially handy for avoiding danger.

1. Flashlights and sonars help you out with night dives when the water is pitch black. Waterproof flashlights also assist you with searching out dark caverns and hidden spots. There are scuba flashlights and headgear flashlights available on eBay for reasonable prices.

2. Dive markers are essential for safety reasons. Floating buoys let others know where you are at all times. Ships look out for buoys, so you shouldn’t worry about accidentally having a run-in with a hull.

3. Dive computers look like wristwatches, but they are complete dive monitoring systems. They tell you how deep you are, the temperature of the water, how much air you have left, and much more. They can cost several hundred dollars, but they are worth it if you dive a lot.

4. Scuba knives are handy to have for a variety of reasons. They can help you get out of a bad situation with an angry animal and cut down plants and nets that try to pull you down.

5. Video masks with a camera or video cam are great for capturing those quiet moments under the sea. You only have to press a button to start recording the wonderful sights. Share your experiences with crewmembers aboard the boat or save them for when you get home and edit them.

6. Waterproof first aid kits are handy to have with you – at least on the boat.

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A Comparison of Suunto Dive Computers

Posted on December 13, 2010 by SB

Suunto’s line of 16 diving watches is called “the sports laboratory on your wrist.” Dive computers look like ordinary watches, but they are not. Contained within the tiny packaging is a miniature computer that has capabilities like tank pressure monitoring, digital compass, dive planner, decompression help, and accurate dive data analysis. You definitely want to read the instructions for this wrist piece!

Suunto D9 Dive Computer

This is called the “all-in-one” dive computer that has all the info you are going to need for your next dive. You can synchronize it with your tank to monitor the amount of air you have left using a simple-to-read graph. The compass rose points you in the right direction if you program it to stay locked on a chosen course. You can also choose between three gas mixes that show you how to time your decompression stops.

Not only can you use the Suunto D9 dive computer underwater, but you can program it for everyday uses, too. Choose between the black, plastic strap and a more professional-looking titanium band. This model retails for over $1,000.

Suunto Cobra3

If you prefer to keep your wrist free, then the Cobra3 dive computer can clip directly to an attachment on your vest. Like the D9, it has a compass, tank monitor, easy navigation, and gas-switching features. A unique feature is the ability to simulate future dives and look at the decompression times so you can accurately plan your dive down to the last minute. You can also plug in your dive computer to your laptop and download all the data from your last dives for analysis.

The Cobra3 is slightly cheaper than the D9. It costs between $700 and $900 in most online stores. EBay has many of the lower-priced dive computers, so start there first if you want to check out this model.

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