Pocket Buoy: An easy way to dive safer (DEMA News 2008)
SCUBA GADGET OVERALL BEST IN SHOW for DEMA 2008
We, and most divers we know do not use a dive flag as often as we should. Traditional Dive flag buoys are cumbersome and not easy stowed. As mothers say, “be careful, you can put an eye out with that thing.”
The Pocket Buoy is so unique that it was awarded all of the requested 11 points from the US patent offices, a very rare occurrence. Firstly, the travel size is a light and small 7″ x 8.5″ package. The compact package is made possible by the use of collapsible shock corded masts and flag stiffener. When assembled, the quality nylon flag towers way above other dive buoys on the water giving it a added visibility. It can even be used on a dive travel.
Vince Bourke, inventor and disabled scuba diver, explains that other air filled dive flag floats are all comparatively low to the water because the support pole that arises from the buoy cannot hold the flag up if it is higher. His stroke of genius was the now patented technology that allows the flag mast and counter weight arm to be as one continuous lever. It can stand tall and never tip.
Poke a hole in another blow up buoy and you are sunk until you replace it or patch it. The Pocket Buoy float is constructed of a shell of salt/sun resistant marine grade canvas and is inflated with any large party balloon. This feature combined with Bourke’s demanding quality should make it the last buoy you will ever buy. The MSRP of around $54 and slightly lower shop prices makes it an affordable value.
A dive flag buoy is just a small but important part of our dive gear kit. But the creativity, technology, and quality Vince Bourke has put in the Pocket Buoy has inspired us to award it “Best in Show” for the DEMA show 2008.
The Pocket Buoy is expected on the shelves of dive shops by February of 2009.