STOP SCRATCHING Are you worried about scratching the face of your new Suunto Stinger or Mosquito computer? Concerned about catching the strap and losing it? This Hard Guard cover is designed by two diving instructors to stop you fretting. The cover is made from a scratch-resistant plastic that is claimed to be virtually unbreakable, and the Velcro strap-cover has an elasticated section to help keep it in place. Available from selected dive stores or by direct mail (plus p&p) for $11.99.

SPANISH FLY The Mermaid Diving Centre at Moraira (Alicante) in Spain has obtained an Aquaglider. A submersible vehicle with wings, it looks to be straight out of a James Bond movie and will allow a pilot and two passengers to glide about under water while communicating by voice comms. Groovy!

CLICK ON AND BE OFF If you're looking for spaces on home-waters dive-boats, Divernet has a new, up-to-the-minute listings service. Skippers from all over the UK are posting their available spaces on the website so that you can choose where you want to dive and see immediately what spaces are available - from entire boat charters to individual slots. Perfect for those occasions when the weather looks fine, you're itching to dive, but nothing has been organised. Just visit the home page and click on the UK Skippers button or click HERE.

RIDES AGAIN An old favourite that became unavailable recently is back in town! After a successful presence at the London International Dive Show, NiteRider underwater lights, long-time favourites of US cave-divers, are now available direct from the USA. Their specs have been uprated, too, with ni-mh battery packs, dual-beam lamps and various hands-free mounting kits. The Blackwater 3000 (illustrated) costs around £350, including delivery from the States.

LOST IN TIME Did you know that the majority of people lost overboard are men with their flies open? This wristwatch features a 121.5MHz emergency transmitter that can be activated should you fall off your vessel, for example while relieving yourself off the stern. Any vessel equipped with an Emergency Receiver or Direction Finder should be able to locate you before its six-hour transmission time is up. It's claimed to be watertight to 50m - perfect for those who throw themselves off boats intentionally. Not only that but it tells the time too! The Guardian MOB wristwatch-beacon costs £249.

THE MASK The new Crystal Vu mask from Scubapro is available with or without a purge valve (£37 and £43). Swivelling buckles and a seamless side-window design are among its features. If you want even lower volume, the new Mira mask might be right for you. This has a contoured wraparound frame and features a single lens and side windows. Pivoting buckles are designed to add to diver comfort. £30.

WRECKED AGAIN Mad Dog Expeditions has released the schedule of its planned wreck dives for 2003. The highlight is the chance to explore the wreck of the Empress of Ireland in Canada. The sinking of this 595ft ocean liner is said to have been second only to the Titanic as the worst maritime disaster in history. Talking of which, how about the "Titanic of the Caribbean"? The 565ft long wreck of the Bianca C sits in 55m off Grenada and is also included.

STAY IN TOUCH Still tending to lose your buddy in the gloom? This 2.5cm wide webbing line is more than 2m long and comes with two karabiners, pinch-clip connectors and a float to keep it up out of the way during close conferences under water. It's called a Buddy Link and costs £19.50 direct.

SUITS YOU SIR The new £120 Thermic Evolution 5mm monosuit semi-dry suit from Mares of Italy is not only stylish but can be supplied as a three-in-one layered effect with jumpsuit, shortie and hood for £210. The 5mm Mares Twice is a double-layered one-piece suit with an integral fitted vest already installed. It costs £145. Trust the Italians to bring a certain amount of style to the dive site.

WISE MOVE The new Sherwood Wisdom is a US-made air-integrated computer that can also be used with nitrox. It could prove handy for the leisure diver. It comes supplied on a console with a compass and a quick-disconnect high-pressure hose, for £738. Other configurations are available.

DAMP COURSE Drysuit seals don't leak. It's your neck or wrists that do! The Apollo Bio-seal is worn in conjunction with your drysuit seals and promises to create the perfect interface between the skin and the latex or neoprene. Made of a material called Cosmogel that has an exceptional stretch rate, it is claimed not to damage easily and to be proof against damage by wristwatches or fingernails. It's available for both wrists at £25 and necks £15.

ITALIAN JOB Because cut-price airline RyanAir now flies to Sicily, diving holidays at Scopello, the Ustica marine reserve and the Egadi islands have never been better value. The Mediterranean offers great visibility, caves and wrecks and apres-dive, with all that wonderful Italian food to enjoy. There are daily departures and £380 buys flights, seven nights' accommodation and five days' diving in the Egadi islands.

WEIGHTY SOLUTION The Oceanic Deluxe Weightbelt is constructed in heavy-duty 5cm polypropylene and nylon webbing. The pockets are closed with large Velcro-covered flaps and should accommodate all manner of weight types. It is available in four sizes with either four, five, six or seven pockets and should suit divers with a wide range of displacements. Available in either black, blue or yellow, it costs £19.95.

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