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Life on the Leading Edge of Fin Design

We have for some time now been smitten with the almost-otherworldly fin technology gushing from the Force Fin labs in sunny Santa Barbara, Calif.

You may remember Neutral Dive Gear Founder & CEO Mark Glesne, along with then-intern Jan, spent an afternoon with Bob, Susanne, and Blair from Force Fin last year to received a first-hand look into life on the leading edge of fin design.

So when we come across a terrifically insightful interview/article like this, we can't help but pass around.

Much maligned and misunderstood, Force Fins and their iconoclastic creators, Bob Evans and Susanne Chess, have been leading a quiet revolution within the dive industry. Long shunned by the dive industry power brokers, the pair are the propagators of the polyurethane fins shaped to resemble the tail end of tuna or a dolphin. Inspired by the natural locomotion of aquatic creatures and with barnacle-like tenacity, the pair have led Force Fin from the sketch pad to major market player over twenty-four tumultuous years. Along the way, they've experienced broad acceptance from the swimming community, yet almost total disdain from the mainstream of the dive industry. They've weathered unscrupulous efforts to undermine their stature here in the U.S., yet been embraced by the foreign dive press and have even been put to use by the Russian Navy. Ignored by the American dive press, they've been overwhelmed by the mainstream news media and general public here in the States.

But whether hailed as visionaries or ridiculed by members of their own industry, Evans and Chess have sailed their ship well, generating droves of loyal followers in swimming, fishing, and now, finally, in diving. "The industry is finally ready to accept us, to look beyond what our fins look like," says Evans.

Here, in an exclusive interview conducted at their offices in Santa Barbara, CA, is an inside look at a great American success story...

That's just the intro. Be sure to read the entire interview to glean from Bob and Susanne's experience with not only fin design, but the dive industry as a whole.

USMC Recon Divers Test New Full Facemasks

Here's a little motivation for your day, courtesy of the Corps. Click on the image and enlarge the photo to get a close-up of the new gear.

Combatant divers from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, received hands-on training on recently issued Combat Divers Full Facemask at the dive locker here March 9.

The CDFFM is designed to improve safety and airflow to combatant divers,according to Senior Chief Petty Officer Juan M. Perdomo, the command master diver and dive officer of the unit.

Perdomo taught a class on the new mask. Following the class, the reconnaissance Marines tested the new gear at the Camp Schwab Aquatic Center.

“There are many major advantages the new mask has over the previous mask,” said Perdomo. “If a diver goes unconscious while submerged, he will not drown because air will continue to flow into the mask.”

During the test run of the CDFFM, divers paired into buddy teams and conducted several exercises while submerged in the pool. One of the main features the new mask is underwater voice communication via radio.

This recent implementation is being conducted across the Marine Corps and all combatant divers will receive this training, said Perdomo.

Continue reading...

Poseidon Diving Systems Announces New U.S. Headquarters

The Swedish diving technology company and creator of the world’s first recreation rebreather technology has a new U.S. headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas.

The company is also soon embarking on a 6-month demo tour to various cities around the U.S., conducting regulator and rebreather classes along the way. Stay tuned and we'll get you the cities and dates of that tour as soon as they're made available to us.

In the meantime, here's the headquarters press release from the good folks over at Poseidon:

Poseidon Diving Systems, creator of the world’s first recreation rebreather technology, has introduced a new headquarters in the US intended to service North American diving needs. This full-service facility will provide customers with Poseidon scuba products, as well as technical service for Poseidon gear and educational training.

Sweden Headquarters has designated Melanie Price, from Kickady Scuba, to be the Director of Operations, and Jerry Price to be Director of Service and Training at the new facility to provide faster, more efficient customer service to North American dealers and divers. The new facility holds a fully stocked warehouse containing only top of the line Poseidon technology, an oxygen clean room for servicing Poseidon products, and a classro om used for training instructors and divers.

Poseidon’s fully automatic rebreather technology is the first of its kind, and it is arguably the greatest breakthrough within the diving community for many decades. When compared to traditional recreational scuba equipment, the Poseidon Discovery provides a more tranquil, nearly silent, diving experience. This technology allows the diver to feel one with his or her surroundings, instead of an intrusion among the underwater world.

To kick off the introduction of the Poseidon Discovery rebreather in the North American market, Poseidon is sending a team across the country to showcase and demo the products. Divers and instructors will have the opportunity to be trained and to test this innovative technology first hand as well as the option to purchase gear on site.The Poseidon team will demonstrate this technology for instructors and the general public along with providing educational training at each site.

For more information about the United States Poseidon Headquarters or about Poseidon technology, please visit http://www.poseidon.com.

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Be sure to check out PoseidonUSA on Facebook and follow PoseidonUSA on Twitter.

Any thoughts on the concept idea of "recreational rebreather" technology?

A Look at Scuba Pioneer Christian Lambertsen's Gear

In memory of the late Christian Lambertsen, here's a look at some of his early scuba gear in action.


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Also checkout these patent drawings Lambertsen filed in 1942.

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Much respect for the old school.

Preparing for Ice Diving

In their latest episode, Talking Scuba host Jim Norton introduces viewers to Derek Wheeler and discusses a whole host of scuba diving topics: a New Years dive and resolution, redundant tanks, preparing for ice diving, and Our World Underwater.

Be sure to stick around through the whole episode to see Bob Shoemaker drop by with a very... shall we say... special holiday gift for Jim.


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Phone Interview with Mobile Divers

Talking Scuba host Bob Shoemaker speaks with Mike Bernard, owner of Mobile Divers LLC, about his mobile dive shop, divers d/lyte sport drink, upcoming dive trips, and rebreathers.


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Going Old School: Diveplate Scuba Diving

Talking Scuba hosts Bob Shoemaker and Jim Norton discuss Bob's recent and eye-opening experience diving vintage scuba gear; backplate, single hose regulator, and a J-Valve tank.


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Fin Physics Explained with Paper

Here's a clever lesson in dive fin physics from our friend Bob Evans, Founder and President of Force Fin, using just a few pieces of paper.


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Sure it's a plug for Force Fin. But isn't everything Bob demonstrates true?

Diverite Nomad BC Review

Be sure to check out the latest episode of Talking Scuba.


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Crossed Tanks Gear Patch Now Available!

Ever since we gave divers a sneak peek at our 3-in-1 scuba diving boat coat, divers have been asking to get their hands on the individual patch that the coat will have fastened to the right shoulder. Well, you asked and we're happy to oblige...

Introducing the Crossed Tanks Gear Patch!


Perfect for attaching to your scuba gear bags, luggage, backpacks, etc., this 4x5-inch patch is a must-have addition for divers fresh and salty.

Grab one today and be sure to send us a photo of how you incorporate the patch with your gear.

You can upload photos directly to our Facebook Page (simply click the "Attach: Photos" icon under the text box), or send via email to: photography(at)neutraldivegear(dot)com

TUSA RS-670 Scuba Regulator Recall

About 250 of these pieces are being pulled back.

Tabata USA (TUSA) is recalling about 250 RS-670 scuba regulators because the first stage balance chamber plug can loosen from the scuba regulator causing a high-pressure leak and creating unstable pressure. This poses a drowning hazard to divers.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The scuba regulators were sold by authorized TUSA distributors and diving and equipment stores nationwide from May 2009 through September 2009 for about $450.

Consumers should return the product to TUSA or an authorized dealer for a free inspection and replacement.

Contact Tabata USA at 800-482-2282 or visit www.tusa.com.

Mares Nemo Air Dive Computer Recall

It looks like roughly 600 Mares Nemo Air Dive Computers are being recalled due to the possible failure of and air leak caused by a component in the high pressure air connector.

The failure with the O-ring could cause a slow loss of breathing gas, which could require the diver to surface quickly, posing a drowning hazard.

The recall also involves 140 dive computers in Canada and another 15 in Puerto Rico. No incidents have been reported. Specialty dive shops nationwide sold the items from July 2008 through July 2009.

Details: by phone at 800-874-3236; by Web http://www.mares.com or at http://www.cpsc.gov.

Anyone dive one of these?

Sneak Peek: Scuba Diving Boat Coat Patch

Our highly-anticipated 3-in-1 scuba diving boat coats are coming along swimmingly. Earlier this week we obtained a sample of the Crossed Tanks Patch which will be displayed on the right shoulder of the coat's outer shell.

Divers are stoked... and we're stoked that you're stoked!


How sick is that!?

It should be noted that in response to several requests these patches will also be sold separately at our scuba diving clothing store for the purpose of attaching to luggage and any other gear you may wish.

Be sure to become a fan on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter to be the first to receive updates about the up-coming release of the Neutral Dive Gear Scuba Diving 3-in-1 Boat Coat!

Talking Scuba Airs Episode 2

The good folks over at Talking Scuba released the second episode of their show over the weekend, covering topics ranging from diving Versulis Lake to this fatal dive story and recommendations to avoid such accidents; and from fin reviews to a Wreck Diver Magazine review and story.

Take a few minutes and check it out...


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Yes, that's our Neutral Dive Gear Logo Flexfit Scuba Diving Hat on Bob's head and mention of a special 15% discount off your entire order of our scuba diving clothing.

Be sure to watch the show and let us know what you think about any of the topics discussed.

p.s. If you missed the first episode, you can watch it here.

Neutral Dive Gear Meets Force Fin

Yesterday Neutral Dive Gear Founder & CEO Mark Glesne met with our new friends at Force Fin for lunch and a private tour -- from inventor Bob Evans himself -- of their manufacturing outfit in Santa Barbara.

Mark was blown away with the effort and artistry that goes into the production of each pair of Force Fins, and tells about the experience in his latest blog post.

Pictured below outside the Force Fin West Gate from left to right:

~ Neutral Dive Gear Intern, Jan
~ World Diving Specialist, Blair Mott
~ Mark Glesne with a new pair of Excellerating Force Fins


Call us crazy, but isn't Blair styling in our Crossed Tanks Scuba Diving T-Shirt?

We sure think so.

Product Recall: Cressi Ellipse Black MC5 Regulator

Cressi-sub USA is recalling roughly 200 units of their Ellipse Black MC5 Regulator due to a partial obstruction of the High Pressure (HP) port.

Get the rest of the details here.

Anyone diving one of these?

Old-school: Wreck Divers Don 1940s-style Equipment

Some wreck divers off Long Island recently donned some old-school gear to try out diving from the earlier days.

Clad in a massive antique bronze helmet and weights, Bill Pfeiffer was the kind of diver the fish had not seen in decades.

But those extra 200 pounds did nothing to stop last Wednesday's heavy ocean swell from flicking him back down to a shipwreck, his air bubbles rising from the sea floor.

"The line that I'm on is strumming like a banjo string," Pfeiffer recalled of his experience climbing back from a dive on the Black Warrior wreck using 1940s-vintage hardhat diving gear. "It snapped again and tossed me off. I told the deck crew, "I'm off the rope, and I'm on my way back to the bottom.' "

Pfeiffer was safe inside a U.S. Navy Mark V helmet made in 1943, a system so reliable that the Navy used essentially the same equipment from 1917 to 1979, said Bob Rusnak of the Historical Diving Society.

"Right after World War II you could by them for $100. They were surplus. Now they'll cost you $8,000," Rusnak said of the iconic bronze diver helmets. "The Mark V is one of the safest dive systems ever made. With the umbilical air supply, he could have stayed down there for two days."

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Mares Unveils Full-Color Dive Computer

Someone had to. So Mares did.

Mares has expanded its line of diving computers exponentially with the introduction of ICON HD, featuring a full-color display, the first-ever dive computer to offer this exciting feature.

ICON HD is a true full-color display computer. Its screen is made using LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology. Consider for example, the displays used in most of the new flat screen televisions, cell phones, PDAs, notebook computers, and other similar products. They are all manufactured using TFT displays, the same technology that Mares has used for the ICON HD screen.

The information that ICON HD provides on its large color display (QVGA 320*240 pixel) combined with 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.

Check out the video...


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Arizona Man Uses Scuba Gear to Escape Burning Home

Whoa! Yet another reason to keep your scuba gear readily available.

A Phoenix man is lucky to be alive after using scuba gear to escape his burning multi-million dollar home.

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The homeowner, Michael Marin, told firefighters he threw on his scuba gear so he could breathe and used a collapsible safety ladder to climb out the window of his second-story bedroom.

"In all my years on the job, this is the first time I've seen somebody use scuba diving equipment to get out of a fire," said Phoenix Fire Department Capt. Dorian Jackson.

Continue reading...

Hat tip: Clint