October 1998
Double your D-light
UNDERWATER Kinetics d-series wide-beam scuba lights feature a high-power double bulb and allow users to switch between the options of a bright light with a short burn time or a lower power with a longer burn time.
There are two sizes available, in non-rechargeable or rechargeable (R) versions: the D4 and D4R (10 x 15cm) and D8 and D8R (10 x 21cm). Output ranges from the D4, which provides 5.8W of light on each of its two lamps, to the top-of-the-range D8R, producing 30W from one lamp and 14W from its second lamp.
The D-series lamps are waterproof to 150m and said to be tough enough to withstand years of heavy use.
The lamps range in price from the D4 at around £46 to the D8R at £170.
Sea & Sea Ltd 01803 663012
Safety record
A NEW system has been developed to help surface cover monitor divers. It is designed to be highly visible and easy to use.
The "divers' safety board" records the location of the dive site, the exit time and dive plan. It also holds the "divers' tallies" for all those taking part in the dive.
Divers' tallies record each diver's name, certification level, certification number, time into water, maximum depth, maximum time, emergency contact number and details of any medical conditions.
Divers fill in their tally and insert it into the board. They are responsible for collecting their own tally from the board as they leave the water.
The system also includes the "BC tally", which is designed to make a diver identifiable at any time, in or out of the water. It is engraved with the diver's name, emergency contact number and details of any medical conditions, and is permanently attached to the diver's BC.
There are two sizes of divers' safety board, costing £65 (for up to four divers) and £130 (for up to 12 divers). The BC tally costs £6 and
the diver's safety tally costs £14.
Clown Products 0976 933939
Inflationary measures
The new 1.5 litre Luxfer cylinder is designed to contain argon gas for inflating drysuits, which gives an extra layer of insulation for those diving in extremely cold conditions.
The aluminium cylinder comes complete with valve and is colour coded for easy recognition. It has a long-lasting paint finish and flat bottom for convenient storage.
The cylinder costs £80.
Sea & Sea 01803 663012
Choice cuts
Take a sharp look at two new diving knives from MarKat.
The floating diver's knife means that all's not lost if you should drop it in the sea unless it floats away. It has a 14cm cutting blade, with an additional 6.5cm serrated blade on the back edge, plus a sturdy, lightweight orange handle, which allows it to float vertically in the water. It costs a buoyant £17.
The Shark 9 Knife is designed to cut through most small ropes or lines with its 7.7cm serrated stainless-steel blade, which features a chisel end and net cutter. With an overall length of 18cm, the knife comes with a plastic sheath, is available in six sharp colours (piercing pink shown) and costs £12.
MarKat 01935 815424
Housing benefits
two new microprocessor-controlled video camera housings have been launched by Inner Space Developments. Made from cast aluminium, the housings are designed to accommodate most compact video cameras with a LAN-C control, and are rated
for 60m.
The Aquarian is a universal housing to fit 8mm and Hi8 video cameras such as the Sony TR and TRV range and the VX 1000 digital.
The Companion fits the Sony PC7, PC10, TRV7 and TRV9 digital cameras and has a dome port and built-in LCD screen.
Already available in South Africa, the housings will be launched in the UK at Dive 98 on 17-18 October. Prices range from £550 per housing to £1450 for a complete system.
Northern Diver 01257 254444
On the mend
Typhoon's repair service has been expanded to handle all makes of drysuit. Repairs can usually be completed within three weeks after approval of cost.
It is also offering a new "express service" that repairs and returns drysuits within five days of receipt for an extra £20.
Typhoon 01642 486104
Little and large
Get a load of the two new dive bags from Poseidon, designed to withstand the rough and tumble of the most gruelling trips.
The large rucksack is made from heavy-duty material, with a reinforced base and strong zips. Measuring a whopping 80cm high, 65cm wide and 30cm deep, it has wheels, fold-away shoulder and waist straps, side pockets and a front document pocket. And you can bag one for £86.
The small rucksack is strongly built but compact and costs £29.
Both bags come in Poseidon's distinctive black and yellow.
UWI 01420 544422
BC bacteria
Your BC may be contaminated with all kinds of nasty bacteria including E-coli according to research carried out on behalf of Surechem. Multiplying at an alarming rate, these waterborne bacteria can cause anything from flu to ear infections should you ever need to breathe off the BC.
Now you can combat the build-up of bacteria in your BC by treating it with Surechem's new non-corrosive Sterilisation Fluid, specially formulated for diving equipment. Priced at £6, the 500ml bottle is sufficient for three doses.
As part of its continuing research, Surechem is keen to hear from divers who have experienced any illness or fatigue-type symptoms up to 72 hours after diving. Send details to: Surechem, 2nd Avenue, Radnor
Park Trading Estate, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4XS.
Surechem 0161 905 3337
In the right direction
A new range of gauges and consoles has been launched by Beaver Diving. These include the Navigator Compass, an upper- and side-reading, oil-filled wrist compass with a luminous dial, revolving ring, and heavy-duty housing and wrist strap, all for £26.
Also in the range is the Prospector Console, a triple console featuring navigator-type compass, 300 bar contents gauge and integral thermometer, costing £64.
Beaver 01484 512354
Hopping mad
Frogs aren't supposed to be beautiful, and this one is no exception. It's unlikely to turn into a handsome prince either, but BoscoRubio claims to have had a positive reaction to its "frogman" from the diving public.
The 24cm hand-carved wooden Frogito figure is being promoted as the ideal non-technical gift for the diver who has everything. All your Christmas pressie problems solved, then, for £27.
And if you prefer to do things on a grand scale, why not go for the giant version, which stands nearly a metre tall and costs a hefty £469?
BoscoRubio 0171 681 2881
Pee easy
Male divers will be relieved to hear of the launch of the Pee Valve the discreet and easy-to-fit solution to taking a leak while diving, according to its manufacturer O'Three.
Pee Valve kits are supplied with three sheaths, which are available in a choice of four sizes (no bragging!) and include complete instructions for fitting and usage.
And the cost of being able to spend a penny under water? £55 plus pee and pee.
O'Three 01305 776754
Burma beckons
A new liveaboard dive-charter service is starting up in November, visiting the unspoilt Mergui Archipelago off the southern coast of Burma. Operating entirely in Burmese waters, the liveaboard is owned and managed by Paul Cottrell an advanced diver and member of Alton BSAC for 17 years.
The 19m sailing ketch Stressbreaker accommodates eight divers plus divemaster in five cabins, and is equipped with two compressors.
To join the charter, clients fly to Ranong in Thailand, then take a
30-minute long-tail river boat crossing to Kawthung in Burma. Here they board the Stressbreaker for six days of diving around the uninhabited islands of the archipelago.
Charters run on a weekly basis, departing every Saturday from November to the end of April, at a cost of £500 per person per week for a group of eight, which includes three dives a day. Return flights to Thailand cost from £350. The yacht will be available as a charter-only, or as a flight and travel inclusive arrangement. Phuket extensions can be added.
To make it as straightforward as possible for clubs and groups, individual payment arrangements are available to reduce the group leader's workload.
Furlongs Travel 01580 240240
A first for the Maldives
sport Abroad, Kuoni's specialist sports division, reports that the Maldives have overtaken the Red Sea as its most popular dive destination, according to
its mid-year figures. The Caribbean has also become a leading favourite, along with destinations in East Asian seas.
"Travel to the Red Sea was obviously affected by the incidents
of last year," says Daniel Le Merle, Sport Abroad's Diving Co-ordinator. "The opening up of the islands has re-stimulated interest. We foresaw a good year for the Maldives but it has beaten all expectations."
With the average cost of dive trips to the Maldives around double that of Red Sea packages, this trend does not appear to be financially driven.
"In general, divers seem to be looking for more variety in their dive travel," comments Daniel.
For its 1998/99 programme, which starts on 1 November, Sport Abroad is reintroducing its non-stop flight to Sharm El Sheikh after a 12-month suspension. For the Maldives, it is still offering the Emirates flights via Dubai, but will also be introducing the only non-stop flight to the islands, on Caledonian, which reduces the journey time by 2-3 hours.
Sport Abroad 01306 744345
Regal resorts
dive tour operator Regal Holidays has launched its new worldwide brochure with eight new destinations for the 1998/99 season. These include Gozo, Roatan, Sipadan and Belize. It has also extended its choice of holidays in Cuba, the Red Sea and the Maldives.
Group discounts on selected dates (10 people pay and one travels free) are available. Prices for a week's holiday in the Red Sea start from £259 per person including return flights, transfers and accommodation.
Regal Holidays 01353 778096
Appeared in DIVER - October 1998
