Do you really know where that mouthpiece has been?? (2008 DEMA Show News)
Behold! The Anti-Microbial Scuba Mouthpiece! At the 2008 DEMA show, we were introduced to the anti-microbial mouthpiece. Developed by New Millenium Enterprises, the mouthpiece is said to “kill off 99.9% of Staph as well as killing and stopping the growth of many other bacteria on contact.” Now, we really like our current mouthpieces but we were impressed by this piece of silicone, especially for rentals. Think about it – when you rent your gear, you have no idea WHO has used your mouthpiece, IF she or he had a contagious disease while biting down on the mouthpiece, or if the dive shop thoroughly cleaned the equipment after use.
Scientifically tested, this little slab of silicone was shown to be even MORE effective at eliminating germs after use. According to their test results it was “proven to be active even after 100 thermal test cycles exposing the mouthpiece to water temperatures exceeding 100 degrees F.” The anti-microbial agents are infused into the silicone, not just coating the surface which is what makes it so effective.
At only $9.99 per piece or less for bulk orders, it seems like a “must have” for dive shops. Next time you plan your dive travel, ask the dive shop owner if he or she uses the Anti-Microbial mouthpiece. If not, send them a link to the site. If they hear about it enough times, chances are good they’ll be willing to take the steps towards increasing your health, safety and comfort while using rental gear.