improving equipment

[Neil32]

Hi! I am a product designer and am at present embarking on a project where i will be adressing the ergonomics of diving equipment, inparticular BCD' s and cylinders. Do any of you feel your present equipment hinders you in anyway when in or out of the water; weight, size, safety, position, would you like to carry less etc. If any of you do have a problem please post a reply and tell me what it is and even what you would like to change if you have any thoughts! Hopefully together we can produce better equipment that will improve the sport for all! Thanks

[Deep-Thief]

I just need a set of gills and maybe some eyes that will focus underwater. Nothing else thats all. :twisted:

[FW]

I just need a set of gills and maybe some eyes that will focus underwater. Nothing else thats all. :twisted:

Did you ever read "Caves of Karst" by Lee Hoffman? It was a novel about a limestone planet, where cave diving was a profession. Some cave divers had gills. The less adventurous used re-breathers. It was written in 1969.

[Dwain]

Are you a gear manufacture???

[fun2dive]

Yes, I would like some equipment built for a 4'10" female weighing ~92 lbs!

Of course that means, lighter, shorter, yet carrying the same amount or more air! No one has died due to having too much air!!!

Thanks,
-stacy

[ARY]

Ok, lets play BC designers game.

TRAVEL DOUBLES vs. TRAVEL STAGES: manifolded doubles with one (or more) set of Travel Regulator, installed at plate with integrated small BC. Unit is ballanced to provide horizontal flat position while with cylinders on it. The BC liftpower is just enough to maintain small positive bouyancy for the set itself so it would be easy for donning underwater or parking this assembly at cave ceiling at the drop point. Travel unit seats on the back of sidemounting diver and it is attached to sidemount harness of any type at 2 standard for all sm webbings shoulder and 2 butt D-ring points via clips on short tabs sewn to the unit. Travel Unit may also have cargo pocket for lights, survey gear, etc. Thanks to its neutral bouyancy and flat (ballanced with proper weights) position is can be also pulled or pushed.

http://www.yefimovs.com/kjf/downloads/traveldoubles.jpg

[kinetic]

Neil 32,

What you could do is knock up a dive boat that takes inverted twin cylinders with easy access to turn the gas on immediately prior to staggering off the boat and then have the same boat be fitted with a lift for easy egress from ocean swell and have a warm cuppa tea swing round to slide into hand whilst blonde wife helps take dry suit off.
Graham

[ARY]

Here is new product idea for you engineers.
Microprocessor controlled BC inflation valve that can be set up to maintain certain depth or gradient of depth change. Sorta autopilot altitude control device that will regulate bouyancy of drysuit or any bladder. Moght be especially useful for rebreather cave diver.


ARY (still having panic hicсups after siltstorm we had in Sherwood split on saturday)

[crazyduck]

Here is new product idea for you engineers.
Microprocessor controlled BC inflation valve that can be set up to maintain certain depth or gradient of depth change. Sorta autopilot altitude control device that will regulate bouyancy of drysuit or any bladder. Moght be especially useful for rebreather cave diver.


ARY (still having panic hicсups after siltstorm we had in Sherwood split on saturday)

Dacor did this in the 60's with a Hard BC unit. The tank sat in the middle. It had disk that opened the unit to the enviroment and the diver preset the volume in the BC case, and then sealed it. The problem was the hard plastic case and the size. PLus, it you rubbed a hole in the case you had a serious problem. To date, I have only seen one unit.

Regards ,Andrew