Over the past year, DeepOutdoors staff told us that they were just downsizing and focusing. When we called other dealers to check out rumors, all except Tacoma Scuba, said “no way.” But today DeepOutdoors staff confirmed they are getting out of the business of dive products. They will only be doing trips and training, which has been the major portion of their income in the past few years. When asked what prompted the fall the response was, “many of our dealers just went out of business in the past year.” But calls to Deepoutdoors dealers tell a different story.

For the past ten years, DeepOutdoors has been known both as a company that makes and sells high-quality and robust diving equipment and for some quirky business practices. They were founded on buoyancy control products and expanded to a full range of gear. The prices have always been high, but it was backed by quality. However, all along there were rumblings that surfaced which hinted that the company was not being managed well. Calls to DeepOutdoors often get a message that “we are on expedition” and go unanswered for weeks. The website has always had sections that are “under construction.” Dealers also complained that DeepOutdoors was selling products out from under them by offering sales direct to customers from the DeepOutdoors website. Yet when a customer purchased a product directly from the website, dealers were still obliged to handle warranty issues and pay for postage.  One dealer reported that customers were furious when a problem arose with DeepOutdoors lights (purportedly they were re-branded Nite Rider light) that was not handled well. Some of the promised “quick turn arounds” took 5 months and DeepOutdoors refused to do a recall. 

One bright spot is that there may be some bargains out there for divers wanting some of their remaining quality buoyancy control gear. Tacoma Scuba did tell us they have bought up some DeepOutdoors stock and will be having specials.  If this review was only about the product, we would give the Freedom Harness and back plate from DeepOutdoors five stars. But, all I can say in closing is now that the company is folding, I am glad I got one before they went away.

How many times have you had to rush from a post dive gathering or had to cut early out of work the day before a dive to get tanks filled before the shop closes? We have heard a common rant that goes something like, “don’t these dive shop owners have any business sense, being closed just at the time when most divers need their services?!” You don’t see golf courses, or ski resorts closed on Sundays, but some dive shops do. But enough ranting. Here is a creative, dare I say, “win-win” solution that works with the current system.

This new product, Scuba Tank Night Drop, is a night drop-off box for air tanks and could relieve your stress and eliminate rushing to get to the shop on time. It is from the The Divers Platform, The company, named for it’s first product, is actually a division of Competitive Development and Manufacturing that develops products for physical therapy, aerospace and NASCAR racing.

Divers Platform owner/developer, Harry Wood (who answers the phone as Uncle Harry), said he came up with the idea not long before the North West Dive and Travel Expo and decided to debut it the show. We choose it as Best in Show because it is a simple, “why didn’t I think of that” creative solution for problem that has been around since the first dive shops. Besides creativity, we give this product the “Best in Show” award because it holds a strong potential to cause a significant change the way divers and dive businesses interact.

The box is extremely well built and easy for customers to use. It is sold directly by The Diver’s Platform for $625. This direct sales business model is one we are seeing more from small scuba equipment manufactures. They chose this business model because it allows them to maintain quality control and keep prices reasonable. Each modular Drop Box unit has three compartments that will each hold up to a 130 cubic foot high pressure steel tank. One shop owner pointed out that it fits every tank they have seen except a 120 cu ft low pressure tank (a bit short). The process is simple, you just slide in your tank and close the one-way self locking door. The units are designed such that multiple modules can be connected together.

We interviewed two shop owners who have purchased the Drop Box and both were very happy with it. Our first thought was to check with them if any pranksters had come by and just closed the doors on an empty box. Both shops said that this has not been an issue.

Aaron Moser of Evergreen Diver Service, LLC in Everett, WA said it took a few weeks before customers caught on to the new concept but now they find tanks in the box daily. They have a tape and marker on hand for divers to leave a note with their tanks.

Bud Gray of Bubbles Below in Woodinville, WA has two modules and said his customers started using the drop boxes right away. They mounted them one day and the next day they found 4 tanks had been left. This was likely because they posted information about the Drop Box in their newsletter ahead of time. Bud said “the boxes are solid, attractive and secure,” and that the boxes instantly became a “great convenience” for customers and shop staff. The shop provides a note pad and pencil in each box for customers to use for identification and special instructions. Bud said that a few customers have ask about the security of the system. He points out that the boxes are as secure as the store and much less of a target of opportunity. He said some rental customers have even used the boxes for dropping of other gear besides tanks. He was quick to comment, though, that he discourages this, because they want to inspect rental gear when it is returned by customers.

We suspect the Scuba Tank Night Drop box would pay for itself with happy customers and staff in a short time and give it 5 stars on top of the Best in show award. Dive shops, or divers that want to encourage their local dive shops to get the Scuba Tank Night Drop, can contact Diver’s Platform at (866) 691-7816 or http://www.thediversplatform.com (The direct link is here http://www.thediversplatform.com/proddetail.php?prod=Scubanightdrop. We provide this because we found that the website was very confusing and it was hard to find this product on the site.)

This year the DEMA show is back in Las Vegas and the special DEMA Show hotel rates are fantastic. They also include free shuttle and show discounts. If you haven’t been before, the show has more than enough to satiate every attendees’ needs, be they knowledge, discounts and deals, networking or social. Besides the array of informative seminars, as in past years there will hundreds of exhibits featuring the leading dive equipment manufacturers, travel destinations, water sports apparel, and services offering tremendous show-exclusive discounts.

We were impressed with the upgraded and easy online registration this year.

LINK TO THE FULL SHOW INFORMATION: http://www.demashow.com/

LINK DIRECTLY TO REGISTRATION: Click here to register

We hope to see you there.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY ON SURVEY MONKEY http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C2RPCCX

When we tested and reported on the Whites Fusion Dry suit (articles http://blog.wetcatscuba.com/?p=399 and http://blog.wetcatscuba.com/?p=373) we discussed Whites’ claim that you could dive this suit from tropical to polar waters. But we had no real proof at the time. We can now have the personal experience verify that claim is true. While we have not dove under the ice in our Fusions, we have enjoyed some of the best diving in the world at Browning Pass (BC, Canada) in waters around 40 deg F and blinding snow. But any drysuit should be able to that. Then we headed to the Caribbean and to the other end of the temperature spectrum with our Fusions. As we spell out in article (http://www.scubagadget.com/?p=774), we experienced a dive vacation of luxurious comfort in the 79 deg F waters of Grand Caymen, while many of the wetsuit divers shivered.

We can now heartily endorse the Fusion for tropical diving. Its thin shell is compressed against your body by an outer lycra and/or superstretch neoprene layer. If you own the “bullet” or “tech” skin model, you can even swap out the Velcro attached compression outer layer with the thinner “sport” layer. The ease of use and complete flexibility you get diving the Whites’ Fusion, make it the perfect dry suit for any assortment of dive locales. And because it is at home in any temperature waters, you can save a load of money by skipping the purchase of a tropical wetsuit.

Coincidentally, the day we visited one of the local Cayman dives shop, we heard the Cayman police department had just contacted them wanting to purchase Fusions for their dive team.

1. One obvious sign that we made a wise choice was evident in the form of a lot of cold divers shivering in the wind during the first surface interval. It was a particularly windy spring in the gulf this year. Not only did we avoid the surface interval "wind chillys," we also used our undergarment layer to keep comfortable in the cooler evening breezes après-dive.
2. Even though the water was 79 degrees F (26C) the diver masters and many divers were wearing 6 mils of neoprene around their core. With our thin Fourth Element Xerotherm undergarments, were had much more flexibility than even those few in their 3 mil suits.
3. Just for comparison, we took one dive in wetsuits. It reminded us that we do not like the sticky salt water feel that lingers until your post dive fresh-water shower.  After the dive, our fellow divers all were hungry, but most made a detour back to their rooms for a quick shower before lunch. We dropped our gear and took our place at the front of the lunch line.
4. Our drysuits are lighter than our wetsuits and took a smaller bite out of our limited luggage weight allowance. In many moist tropical places it can take time to dry the water out of your wetsuit in the remaining time between your last dive and your packing time. Water is 8.6 lbs per gallon, so every ounce left in the suit is important. With a quick towel burrito and a little breeze our drysuits are often back to their dry weight in a couple of hours.
5. You can save a lot of money buy just buying one drysuit and using it for all dives. Drysuits, especially shell suits can last forever, while a wetsuit’s insulating bubbles degrade a little with every dive.
6. This last one is minor but most wetsuit divers admit hating the stretch battle you have to wage every time you get into and out of a wetsuit. Not the case with a drysuit.

How warm is too warm for diving dry?

We spoke with Allen Aboujeib, with the grand title of “Director of Happiness,” from Bluewater Divers.

Allen has 300+ dives over the last few years in the DUI 30/30 Tropical Drysuit in areas all over such as Australia, Fiji, Chuuk, Curacao, California. He says he was only too warm once while on a shallow dive in 85+ degree water. But not for long, because he just stretched open a seal and let in a bit of water. Remember that a shell drysuit’s only purpose is to keep you dry. It has no insulating value. That is why it can be used in warm waters without overheating. With only a thin wicking layer inside, even if the water is quite warm you should be able to release excess body heat to the water.

Allen pointed out this quote on the DUI website

"Repeated exposure to temperate waters can cause minor discomfort to turn into hypothermia. By staying dry even in warm waters, your comfort level increases and you can maximize the length and number of your dives. After all, you are on vacation.”

Many divers are not aware of the phenomenon called “warm water hypothermia”. Many of the really active tropical divers I spoke with said they had experienced it at some level. The NOAA Diving manual states the following on the subject:

“Divers also have to be wary of hypothermia in warm environments. A phenomenon called “warm water hypothermia” can occur even in the tropics, especially during long dives and repetitive dives made without adequate re-warming between dives. In warm water hypothermia, long slow cooling can take place in water temperatures as warm as 82 degrees F – 91 degrees F. Although warm water hypothermia is not easily recognized as its cold water counterpart, it definitely warrants attention.

What kind of suit can be used for tropical diving

If you only dive warmer waters, the DUI 30/30 Tropical Drysuit is the perfect tool for the job. The “30/30” stands for 30 degrees north latitude, to 30 degrees south latitude, hinting at the locations you can find the waters that this suit was designed to dive. It is made with a durable but breathable/waterproof trilaminate material and does not have the attached boot or dry socks found on other “cold water” suits. All 30/30 divers we interviewed loved this suit.

Any other shell drysuit should also be a fine warm water drysuit. However, the Whites Fusion drysuit is particularly well suited for tropical diving. Its thin shell is compressed against your body by and outer lycra or superstretch neoprene layer. If you own the “bullet” or “tech” skin model, you can even swap out the Velcro attached compression outer layer with the thinner “sport” layer. Owning a Fusion is a great money saver, because this one suite is at home in any temperature waters, so you can skip the common practice of owning a drysuits and one or more wetsuits for vacations (See our companion article Whites Fusion Lives Up to its Claim of TROPICAL TO POLAR ).

Neoprene and crushed neoprene suits should still be an acceptable solution. But they are heavier and do provide some insulation, thus would not be as good for really warm waters.

While browsing a dive shop on Grand Cayman, we heard that the shop owner was just approached by the Cayman police interested in ordering Whites Fusion drysuits for their staff.

The Caveat

One issue may be a challenge diving dry. Many dive charters in tropical location do not have a marine head (boat toilet) and expect diver to “pee in the pool.” With a drysuit, this means you have to either hang over the side to pee, jump in the water between dives, or have a pee valve (or a she-pee for women). We did manage fine, even though my female partner was the only woman dropping her rear off the side of the boat between dives, but are considering the pee valve for  future dives.

From our experience we came home wondering why anyone would choose to dive a wetsuit and will likely only dive wet in waters that are so warm you do not need a wet suit. But, no matter how strong the case for diving dry in the tropics, scuba is a world of strongly embedded traditions and we do not expect to see a mass movement of divers willing to buck that tradition and peer pressure anytime soon. But if you do don the drysuit on your next tropical trip and your fellow divers are shivering on deck feel free to gloat a bit.

At a recent dive club event, presenter Laura James introduced the new Halcyon Infinity BC with the “revolutionary cinch system” (harness). Not in the market for a new dive BC, I put on my game face and tried it on. I was impressed with the comfort of the cinch system harness. The “revolution” is that Halcyon has developed a way to have a single strap system that is still easy on, easy off. I was really pleased with the ease in which it adjusted. With the weight held by the table (or truck bed or back of car or wall), a mere push on the straps causes it to release from the shoulders. Pull on the straps, and it tucks right up to my body. The cake topper was when Laura showed that four people of varying heights and sizes could wear the same wing and experience the same comfort and ease of use that I did. At Laura’s suggestion, I decided to take it out for a try in the sea.

A few days later, we met up at a nearby dive site to try this “bad boy” out. As is often the case with trying out new gear, there was a bit of fumbling about topside to get the harness adjusted to fit me just right. Once we got that dialed in, we plunged below the surface. The harness fit securely to my body.  It felt like it was molded to me. I have slender shoulders and have a difficult time finding a BC that does not fall off my shoulders. This harness, with no chest strap, did not fall off. The curved shoulder straps clung with elegant comfort to my shoulders. It felt incredibly secure, stable and “out of the way.” Once topside again, I found it easier to walk with all that weight on my body, since the harness was anchored so well to me.

Convinced that this was a “must have” item, and just the kind of product we like to bring to our ScubaGadget readers,  I made arrangements to purchase the cinch system and backplate from Tacoma Scuba, one of our favorite local dive shops, and further test its “diveability.”  Since I already have a DiveRite wing, I opted to use my existing wing. I did have to purchase a new Halcyon backplate, however, as the Halcyon cinch system was designed to work with the Halcyon back plate (why don’t these companies play nice with one another?).  Additionally, I bought their pocket system.  While I could have used my own DiveRite pockets which slide onto my waist strap, the Halcyon pockets screw right onto the backplate, keeping them securely out of the way and not affecting the cinching mechanism in any way. I also purchased the harness pads and back pad. I was still able to use the single tank adapter I bought for my DiveRite wing.

My first test dive of the new system convinced me that I had made the right decision. Instead of relying on my partner John to clip the chest harness for me and assist me into my gear while I remained slithered down in a near squat at the back of the car, I sat down and got right in, pulled the cinch secure, and stood up. I walked easily and effortlessly to the water. Once in the water, I noticed a refreshing absence of dangling hoses around my body. This system is designed to minimize drag while supporting the tank along the back, creating  a low profile. It works. The clips for the dive console, positioned further back than my previous system, kept it away from the front of my body yet easily accessible.  My flashlight was clipped high on the front strap, yet again, easy to grab. I could wave my hands in front of my body without obstruction. Back at the car, I pushed on the shoulder straps, loosened it, and rolled right out. This is a well designed, efficient piece of equipment.

The cinch can be used for single tanks or doubles. A real plus for dive shops offering rental gear, this one system will fit all, wide and tall to slender and small. Advanced divers will appreciate the extreme low profile that this system offers. Even beginning divers will find it easy to use as long as they are comfortable in water with a back inflate system. Products like this are helping to break the myth that backplates and wings are only for tech or advanced divers.

The price for the overall system is a bit on the high side – to purchase the whole kit, with backplate, pockets, crotch strap, cinch system and wing, retail cost runs around $820. If you already own a Halcyon system, you can upgrade to the cinch system for $99. Adding the harness and back pads will run you another $99. With the incredible comfort and ease of use which you’ll experience, I guarantee you this will be a well-made purchase.

For this early review we give it the full 5 stars. I will revisit the Cinch with another review after I and my dive buddies have had more dives with the system. We are also working on an article about Halcyon’s expansion into the recreational and non-DIR world.

—————————–

Thanks to Laura James and Tacoma Scuba for their help with this review.

The Edmonds Underwater Park (more formerly know as the Bruce Higgins Underwater Park) is located not far from Seattle, Washington and just north of the Edmonds Kingston Ferry Landing. It includes acres of underwater trails leading to sunken vessels and other artificial reefs that are home to a wide array of sea life. Almost 25,000 scuba dives take place hear each year.

There was a lot of confusing information about diving on the De Lion Dry dock at the Edmonds Underwater park. The dry dock is one of the nicest features in the park. The rumors going around were wild and scary. The stories were variations on, “if you are caught near the dry dock homeland security will arrest you and fine you thousands of dollars.” It is an urban scuba myth.

After extensive phone conversations with

the US Coast Guard/Homeland Security, Helmut Steel of WS Ferries Security, Bruce Higgins (as in Bruce Higgins Underwater Park) and Brian Macintosh, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Edmonds, all agree diving the dry dock is allowed and basically legal. 

The only rule that does apply is the 33 CFR 165.1317  (from the Security and Safety Zone; Large Passenger Vessel Protection, Puget Sound and adjacent waters, Washington.  Code of Federal Regulations – Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters (December 2005) ). This ruling says that you must stay 25 yards away from the Ferry when it is the dock and 100 yards away when it is underway. As no one could tell us exactly how close are to the ferry when you are at the dry dock at low tide. It may be a good idea to visit the dry-docks between ferries just to be extra compliant.

The Parks and Ferry departments do want to encourage all divers to help make sure only experienced divers dive the dry docks or in any part of the park near the ferry and during favorable currents (leading away from the ferry). Brian Macintosh did point out that since people thought it was illegal they have have had less incidents of divers drifting into the ferry danger zone. 

Brian also said that they are making a concerted effort to sink more large and interesting features further north in the park (away from the ferries). They recently sunk an old Lopez Island ferry dock wing on top of the deteriorated tug, the Triumph. The wing is 130 feet long. 

If you are not from the Pacific Northwest, we hope you come, visit and dive. Edmonds Underwater Park is a grand place to start your journey and to get a preview of world class diving that “tropical-only” divers never get to see.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following product. Consumers should stop using products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Power Inflator

Units: About 1,380 in the U.S., 530 in Canada

Importer: Aqua Lung America of Vista, Calif.

Hazard: The oral inflator button is not properly bonded to the oral stem and can fall off during use, posing a leak of the buoyancy compensator contents. This poses a drowning hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Aqua Lung America has received one report of a consumer’s oral inflate button falling off during use. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The power inflator is the black mouthpiece with the two brass buttons at the end of the corrugated hose. The recall involves all models of the Apeks WTX power inflators. Some of the recalled components were included on complete air cells. Those model numbers are: 388032, 388060, 388080, 388145, 388260, and 42775. The model number of the air cell can be found on the tag sewn on the center of the air cell or bladder.

Sold at: Diving stores in the U.S. and Canada from November 2006 through March 2010 for between $53 and $70 for the component and between $280 and $520 for the air cells.

Manufactured in: California

Remedy: Consumers should stop diving with their recalled power inflator and bring it or send it to an authorized Apeks dealer. The dealer will apply a free fix. Consumers may also ask for and receive a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information contact the firm toll-free at (877) 253-3483 or visit the firm’s website at www.aqualung.com

• More exhibits, nice mix of travel and equipment vendors. Seemed less crowded then last year. Numbers after the show
  • after note: most vendors said they thought there were slightly less or the same amount of attendees, except the rows near the Aqua Therapy boat. Maybe it was a draw.
• IST one of the biggest sponsors, is broadening their brand and aggressively going after market share
• We purchased the new Dive Caddy, unique carry on dive packing system for a full set of gear – in depth review to follow.
  • after note: this is tied Buddy Link for the peoples choice award for best product at the show. We are also reviewing the Buddy Link soon.
• Bare insider hints at a "game changer" innovation coming in dry suits later this year.
• article coming "6 degrees of Kevin. Bacon’s dive gear" – who owns who – Connect Bare – Suunto – Aqualung – Whites – Scubapro
  • after note: Bare is owned by Suunto (owned by Amer Sports) – Suunto is sold in the US by Aqua Lung who owns Whites, whos Fusion drysuit is sold in Europe by ScubaPro.
• Chaela spots and Investigates the "she-pee" not as much work as she thought
  • after note: she will have a full report soon
• Vindicator on-off indicating tank valve is there. Closer to patent he says. Then XScuba copy must resolve
  • after note: see http://scubagadget.com/?p=638 
• Gods Pocket Browning Pass resort has 2 new cabins and will go to Nakwakto rapids.
  • We are planning a visit and full review in a few months
• The forever in design dolphin shaped Morfin fins have yet another new look.
• nice 6pak dive boat Aqua Therapy is out of Tillamook OR but will go anywhere. Great aerial view of the show from atop this boat
• looked at OTS full fm. Much simpler an less like to free flow than Ocean Reef ffm. more coming in ffms for rec diving fun
• Dolphin Charters 6 pack out of Mukilteo goes with 3. We will dive with them and report back from the blog.
• we liked the folks at Peace Boat charters out of Ventura CA and we plan to dive them in July and give full report
• Cousteau historical mini museum is worth seeing and will be moving into perm space above Tacoma Scuba shop soon
• Whites showing coolest yet Fusion drysuit skin, the "bullet" sleek and no sag skin with large pocket that vanish when empty.
• Scuba Tank Night drop from diversplatform.com. It is our best of show pick.
  • after note: every shop should get one of these. Video after the break.
• Odd but likely fun new sport of scubatics (.org) is coming. Aerobatics inspired. Done in pool with scuba and dpv. 
• Aqua Lung also showed off their new 4.2 lbs travel BCD called ZUMA.

Stay tuned for our full report on the show.