October 2003 saw the 26th DEMA (Diving Equipment & Manufacturers' Association) The Fall Show, return to Miami. A number of new products made their world debut.

VR2 Computer

This DEMA Show saw the VR family double in size, with the launch of the VR2 from Delta P Technology. It's a 2 gas (hence VR2) re-programmable air and nitrox computer, good for open circuit (scuba), semi-closed and fully closed rebreathers. Kevin Gurr talked me through the new computer and Delta P's business ethics. (A little known fact about Gurr's history
was that he was part of the team that produced the first ever EANx computer called the Ace Profile in 1992).

"A long time ago I got fed up with the fact that it seemed that just after I'd bought a piece of diving equipment, I would have to purchase the next model just to keep up to date; very frustrating and expensive. Being a designer, I understand that part of the problem is that we feel compelled to give consumers the best. The way that Delta P has tackled this is that we have manufactured our products to be modular. It makes it simple for the end user to upgrade without horrendous financial penalties. Our philosophy is that you can keep pace with technology. Now I must admit it's easy to upgrade software, the tricky bit comes when ensuring the hardware stays current.

Ten years ago nitrox computers were a big step, now they are the norm. I do feel however that some manufacturers out there are suffering from not having a diver on their design team. When we designed the award winning VR3, the Worlds first mixed gas dive computer, we realised that technical diving wasn't for everyone, hence the VR2. We know that there are people out there that never want to dive Trimix but we want to offer them up-gradeability at a reasonable price".

Gurr has taken many of the useful features of the VR3, with the result the VR2 (very robust!) promises world-class performance. Sensible features include an oxygen analyser function, user replaceable AA batteries, rebreather link option and the computer will not 'lock out' the
user during harsh profiles.

However, one of the main advantages with the VR2 is the 'switch on the fly' capability. This means that the computer can be reprogrammed during a dive, when gas switches are made, or if gas is lost so a new profile can be calculated. This doesn't mean that bail out tables
shouldn't be carried however.

The valuable anti- theft concept has been incorporated into this unit as well. For those of you unfamiliar with the VR3, the entry screen displays the owners name and contact details. This can only be changed by inputting an individual pin number, and each computer has its own distinct serial number. In the unlikely even that your computer is stolen, Delta P makes a note of it, so that when it does surface, the thief will be caught. The word has now got out onto the street that it is not worth touching VR3s because of the security system in place.

As you would expect the VR2 runs on a Buhlmann ZHL 16 algorithm, with a proprietary micro-bubble algorithm overlay, which complements Pro Planner software. Naturally the computer can be downloaded to a PC. Finally with the rugged plastic housing coming in an exhilarating range of colours including cough lozenge purple, baby pink and technical black, there is choice for every diver.

Storm Case


When I guided, Monday mornings would always be the same. As part of the boat brief, we would demonstrate to the guests how to use the DAN Oxygen Set. It was something I got to dread. I’ve lost count the number of times my knuckles ended up bleeding as I struggled to calmly open the lid of the Oxygen Pelican Case. Now with a 50 year-old company called Hardigg (that understands the package engineering business), coming into the diving market, those days are at an end.

“We have designed the Storm Case to be a superior case”, said Hardigg. “Their greatest appeal is that the case is not just a protective shell, it’s a waterproof, airtight and pad-lockable integrated protection system, that is guaranteed for life from defect. To be fair there is the condition that we verify the defect”. It is always good to see a manufacturer support their product.

Each case is manufactured from HPX high performance resin, which has resulted in a rugged construction with excellent impact resistance, even in extreme temperatures. This coupled with a plethora of other features such as a soft-grip carry handle with rigid core (affording extra comfort and strength) and a Vortex auto pressure release valve (that adjusts to changing environments automatically, so it won't unscrew from the case and get lost!) makes Storm Case a serious contender in the ‘Big Case’ Market.

Other things of note include standard multi-layer cubed foam giving more customisation options, and moulded on logos that can’t fall off. You can also get bespoke cases built too. “Tell us what needs protection and transportation, and we'll build the case that does it perfectly”. Customers have the choice of 11 standard sizes and three standard colours (plus drab olive green for those with a military mind).

Now I admit that this is all worthy stuff, absolutely ideal for the diving market. What I have found brilliant is their unique ‘Press & Latch’ latches. For when it comes to opening a Storm Case, it is a totally pain free operation that is easy on the knuckles. In fact one needs the minimum of effort (finger tips) despite the fact that Storm Case claim the latches are twice as strong as their competition, and won’t accidentally pop open when dropped. And Storm Case have said that this method ensures a more secure case closure. The next thing since sliced bread one wonders?

For further details check out www.stormcase.com

Dive Rite

High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lights continue to get smaller whilst maintaining exceptional burn times. On the Dive Rite stand I was grabbed by Tony Davis (Dive Rite Australia), who talked me through the new Primary Canister Light. It has been christened the ‘Slimline’ (can’t possibly imagine why?!) and has a phenomenal 300 metre depth rating. This has been very simply achieved by Dive Rite, as the canister is milled out of one piece of stock, rather than with most lighting systems being a piece of pipe with an end glued on. What a brilliant idea.

The diver has a choice of two heads. For Jedi divers who are aware of the vulnerability of their equipment, then the test tube style HR10 will give the best beam. It has an adjustable head which will focus from a wide beam (with hot spots) to a light sabre beam. Usefully the adjustable reflector can be removed and replaced with a Lymedyne video reflector.

As for the rest of us who routinely hammer our kit, the ideal choice is the robust MR11 Head which comes in a hard coat aluminium shell for protection against the elements. It’s a fixed focus beam and boasts a computer designed, faceted, parabolic, reflector (available in 6 or 13° spreads) for superior lighting. The perfect curve ensures you get an optimum focal point. Both light heads come as standard with Dive Rites comfortable form fitting hand mount so that the light can be used virtually hands free.

Divers will have the choice of Nickel Metal Hydride or Lead Acid batteries, which will power a 10 watt Solaric bulb for up to 4 hours. (The light emitted is roughly equivalent to a 75 watt halogen). Sea & Sea have said that they are available now with a rumoured price tag of something well below £400.

Last DEMA saw Dive Rite launch two new gas computers, the NiTek He and the NiTek Plus. Briefly the NiTek Plus is a watch format computer which allows the diver use of two separate EANx mixes with “change on the fly” capability, displaying your bottom mix FO2 (21% - 50%) and deco mix (up to 99%). Now Lamar Hires has produced a ‘computer’ computer version of the NiTek Plus and called it the NiTek Duo.

PADI

PADI also had news for the technical diving field by confirming that Tec Trimix is now being officially rolled out. “It is the logical step to take, as it takes its place in a suite of programmes in the DSAT TecRec series: Gas Blender and TecDeep Diver”, confirmed Mark Caney. The aim of this course is to extend the depth range for technical divers qualified to use air, nitrox and oxygen for technical decompression dives beyond 50 metres. The course includes training dives to a maximum depth of 75 metres and will be Full Trimix, and not a two-step method. Students will be trained on open circuit whilst breathing a full complement of the usual gases.

I discussed the course with Mark who stated, “the Tec Trimix Diver course will build on the knowledge and motor skills learnt during the Tec Deep Diver Course. Remember in the previous courses there is a high level of practical stuff, so this will refine existing skills. We aim to produce divers who are trained to respond to reasonably foreseeable trimix and technical diving emergencies”. I asked what tables would PADI be advocating for dive planning. “These days there is a quite a choice when it comes to dive planning software, and we recognise this and train divers to cut their own tables with desktop software. However, with the way technology is going we expect more and more trimix divers to be controlled using a submersible trimix dive computer”.

What is of concern is that the pre requisites for the DSAT Tec Trimix Diver are a little toe curling, particularly as this is the pinnacle of open water diving. (PADI confirm that credits will be given for other agency qualifications). To enrol in the course the diver must be a certified PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent), provide proof of CPR and First Aid training within the previous two years, be aged 18 years or older, be certified as a DSAT Tec Deep Diver (or equivalent) and have a minimum of 150 logged dives. One hopes that by the end of the course the student will have the maturity and knowledge to fully appreciate the implication and dangers of trimix diving.

One of the most positive things about PADI entering the Technical Diving market has been the upswing in the quality of student and instructor materials alike. This is no bad thing. Finally the other training agencies have been woken up to the fact that students are more sophisticated creatures than of yore, and that badly presented teaching aids do not really encourage visual learning. As you would expect the manuals for the Tec Trimix course look good, but not having analysed them, I cannot comment on the content. One hopes though that this time, the questions and answers match up accurately on the exams.
Last year PADI were in the middle of putting together a DVD of Technical Diving Skills. This has now been released under the title ‘TecRec Equipment Set-Up and Key Skills’ DVD. It has been written for Tec Deep and Apprentice Tec Diver students, instructors or even just technical divers wanting to refine their equipment setup and skills.
The very popular PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Course, which saw its debut in 1995, has been revamped. When it was first launched the course was quite conservative. PADI have acknowledged the track history of nitrox, and how technology has changed, with EANx computers becoming common place.

PADI EANx Instructors should note that changes should be implemented as soon as they receive the new materials. Existing materials will remain current until 1 September 2004. Meantime, Open Water students can now dive nitrox on Dive Four, provided that the instructor is also a PADI EANx instructor. Upon successful completion of the dive it will count not only as the sign off for the Open Water cert, but also as the first dive of the Enriched Air Diver Speciality course. Resorts I suspect will be pleased to know that there is now a Discover Scuba Diving Nitrox Course available.

So what of the future? With BSAC launching an Inspiration Course I wondered if PADI would be pursuing the same route. The official line is that currently there are no plans for a PADI Inspiration Course. However I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we don’t see something to do with cave or wreck training emerging from the Tec Stable soon.

The PADI Emergency First Response Care for Children Course was launched at the Show. This is a one day course and will be aimed at parents, school teachers, nannies, child minders and nursery nurses. Pretty much anyone who is involved with children. As you would expect the course is designed to teach the user to deal with lift-threatening and non-life-threatening emergencies. However there will be extra emphasis on things like choking, which is a big problem with children. Additionally childhood illness will be reviewed, to help identify when a child is just sick and when they are seriously ill. As with the (adult) Emergency First Responder Programme, there is an optional module if the student wishes to learn how to use a paediatric Automated External Defibrillator (AED). First Aiders should note that there are different guidelines and techniques when using an AED on a child. Currently ‘under development’ is a Wilderness/Marine/Advanced EFR Course designed for more remote locations. It is expected that much more advanced techniques and skills will be required for this course.

According to DANs (Divers Alert Network) 2000 Report of Dive Injuries & Fatalities, drowning is the primary cause of death in up to 70% of reported diving fatalities. Now most people would read that stat, be a bit shocked and turn the page, but not Dr Russell P Fitton III. He said, "I was struck at just how many divers were drowning out there, so decided that I should try and do something about it. Up until now the only way to hold the scuba mouthpiece was to bite down onto it. So when someone loses consciousness, their jaw muscles relax and the mouthpiece falls out. However their breathing still continues, and they drown. If the diver had retained their mouthpiece in this scenario, there is a good chance that they would be alive today. Hence I designed the Manta-Bite Mouthpiece. It’s taken me getting on for 3 years so far".

The idea is that the revolutionary ‘Manta Wings’ design uses the cheeks to hold the mouthpiece, instead of the teeth and the divers bite pressure. This allows the diver to leave his jaws in a relaxed position eliminating jaw muscle fatigue. If you think about it, in a fair number of divers, the muscle action required for biting pressure can lead to cramping and muscle tiredness. This can really become a problem when doing a lot of repetitive recreational diving or having long decompression hangs when technical diving. So the Manta-Bite mouthpiece helps reduce strain on the jaw.

In fact the more a diver relaxes his jaws the tighter the ‘one size fits all’ Manta-Bite will lock in. This feature will appeal to any diver with TMJ (Tempro Mandibular Joint) problems, or removable dental applications. (Extensive bridge work, dentures and partial dentures). According to Dr Fitton, a dentist from Chicago, "divers with missing back teeth, or dentures won’t believe the struggle to hold in a mouthpiece is now over". Future plans apparently are to produce the mouthpieces in a range of colours (a boon for tech divers), including a ‘glow in the dark’ model.

The Trade may wish to note that MarKat has expressed an interest in distributing for the UK.
Oceanic
On the Buoyancy Control Device front, Oceanic have acknowledged the fact that a BCD tends to take more of a beating than other pieces of dive equipment, and so designed the OceanPro FX to be a bit more rugged. It has a number of interesting features, such as the PSD (Personal Safety Device) Pocket, which is located on the upper left hand side. At the moment Oceanic are planning that the pocket should contain a dual coloured (yellow one side, orange the other) DSMB (delayed surface marker buoy). The Company has been playing around with the DSMB so that it can be doubled up, zipped together, then wrapped around the neck or the waist to provide extra buoyancy. Alternatively it can be left unzipped to act as a normal DSMB. Having had a go with it, I suspect that in temperate waters the large zip will be quite fiddly. Perhaps a couple of fastex male/female buckles will be a better solution.

The low pressure inflator system has been refined with the result that the hose moulds itself to the jacket shoulder, compared to other systems that can just lie there. Meanwhile the inflator looks ergonomically and technically prettier. The jacket benefits from a butt dump located on the right hand hip, which is actuated by the diver pulling a toggle on the lower front of the jacket.

Thought has been put into the QLR (Quick Lock & Release) Integrated Weight System. If you don’t want to dive with weight integrated pockets capable of carrying up to 20lbs, then no worries. Leave the weight sleeves in your dive bag, and you gain two working horizontal pockets instead, complete with a velcro flap. Neat idea. Kelvin Richards confirmed that the UK projected rollout of this mid range BCD will be at The Outdoor Show, NEC, in April 2004.

OtterBox
One company that annually delivers exciting, incredibly useful products is OtterBox. This year saw the launch of the exceptionally feature rich Armor 3600. It owes its parentage to the Armor 2600, a PDA Case for Palm Pilots and their genre. Now the 2600 is a wonderful case, so how could OtterBox have possibly improved this? Well firstly the rugged fibreglass reinforced ABS plastic and polycarbonate case has been surrounded by a rubber over moulding, which provides a secure, ergonomic grip. Then consideration was given to the recessed screen. The transparent supple membrane (which allows full use of the touch face without having to remove the PDA) is now protected by a clear, flip top lid.

Then OtterBox gave thought to what actually goes into their boxes, and they realised that sometimes manufactures can come out with an extra thick GPS or PDA. As a result OtterBox developed an optional ‘Deep Box Kit’ to take into account bulky electronic goods. So far so good, but what about the length? If you wish to use the 3600 with a handheld GPS receiver that has an antenna, then no worries. Simply just replace the port at the top with the optional "Through the Box Pod Kit" and you have added about 5cms to the top of the case, and the protrusion is housed nicely. Oh, and I forgot to mention that actually you could alternatively add a serial or USB port to the case using this Pod for a connection to the electronic goods.

And then there is another way you can have connectivity, by using a ‘Through-the-Box’ Connectivity Kit. For OtterBox have drilled a series of six different sized holes, along one side of the case, each of which holds a rubber plug. The idea is that you remove the plug and replace it with a cable of the same size. Having put the box back together, bingo you have a water tight seal around the cable. Although not every cable will fit, a goodly number will.

All in all the tough new Armour 3600 allows GPS and PDA owners to protect valuable equipment and information from any harsh environment: dirt, water, sand, snow, rain, humidity, shock, and impact. For further details I would suggest you check out the OtterBox web site. (UK Distributor Lumb Brothers).