WHAT'S BUBBLING  The latest gadgets, gear and places to go...

Scubapro Pacific suit Deep purple
The new Pacific Series of suits from Scubapro are certainly more stylish than some you come across. Flash purple and yellow sides elevate them into the not-so-black category, while neat Lycra bound edges give them a well-finished, high-quality appearance. In addition to 3mm, 5mm and 7mm wetsuits the range also includes a 2.5mm shorty. All of them have chunky nylon zips up the back and reinforced patches at pressure points such as knees and elbows. Prices range from £79 to £149.
  • Scubapro 01256 812636

    Briefly
    A new range of straps and webbing designed to keep your dive accessories securely attached and to hand is available from Sea & Sea. 01803 663012... MarKat (01935 815424) can now supply a 300 titanium dive knife which it claims is non-magnetic, will never go rusty and should keep sharp for a long time... Prices of Bauer Junior II, Capitano and Mariner high-pressure compressors have been temporarily reduced by Divex (01420 544422) due to the current strength of the pound... AP Valves (01326 561040) has introduced an emergency air-horn (£39) that fits between the hose and valve on a Buddy BC and is simply operated - even with cold hands - by pressing the two halves together.


    Bargain diving
    Scuba Safaris is offering discounts in the Turks and Caicos on the live-aboard Wind Dancer for 23-30 October. The islands are well-known for the dramatic wall-diving they offer as well as the frequent sightings of large pelagics such as reef and nurse sharks, manta rays, humpback whales during their winter migration, and dolphins. Prices start at £723 not including flights.
  • Scuba Safaris 01797 270910

    Beaver bag Two for one
    Versatility is helpful when it comes to divebags, which might be used as airline baggage, dive centre wet and dry storage or to take on boats of various sizes. Well, Beaver has extended its range with a bag that divides into two. There is a large main compartment big enough for a suit and BC, and a section with two side-pockets that can be separated from the main bag and fits fins and things. Price £35.
  • Beaver 01484 512354

    Weightbelt holder
    There are, among divers, those whose waists don't go in quite like they used to. Not a problem in itself perhaps, but try making that weightbelt stay in the right place! Now, however, Seaway has come up with a pair of braces designed to stop those slipping weights. A simple concept in itself, it might get more complicated once a BC and tanks are added. However, the braces come with cam-buckles at the front which, the manufacturer claims, mean the weightbelt can quickly be dropped if necessary. At £20 it could be better than watching it slide off your ankles!
  • Seaway Direct 01548 844299

    Lonely Planet's Diving & Snorkelling Papua New Guinea Happy talk
    If you're off to the other side of the world for a dive trip, it's always good to know exactly what you're heading for. So to help you with a bit of arm-chair diving is the Lonely Planet's Diving & Snorkelling Papua New Guinea (£11.99) with details of 115 dive sites from around the country. And to help you once you're out there, how about the second edition of its Pidgin Phrasebook (£3.99). Although many Pidgin words are similar to English ones, I think you'll find that a phrasebook will help you make sense of the whole!
  • Lonely Planet 0171 428 4800

    Status Nitrox Contents Gauge Shiny faces
    The new Status Nitrox Contents Gauge has a luminous face, giving it high visibility in those murky British waters, claims Beaver, its manu-facturer. This low-profile 400 bar nitrox-compatible contents gauge is swivel-mounted onto a high-pressure hose. When you're loaded down with the rest of your kit, its compact size might be a handy feature! Price £52.
  • Beaver 01484 512354

    Maldives Scuba Tours Holiday learning
    Photographic safaris have long been a feature of animal viewing on land, but now Maldives Scuba Tours is offering this chance to underwater photographers too. Linda Dunk will be hosting a two-week work- shop aboard the purpose-built air-conditioned mv Sea Queen. The course includes slide-based lectures, personal critiques and full use of onboard E6 processing facilities. There's also the chance to win photo equipment, books and travel vouchers if you come up with the best shot of the safari. The trip is from 23 January to 6 February 2000 and costs £1965 per person.
  • Maldives Scuba Tours 01449 780220

    Future guide
    As we reach the end of the millennium, threats to the oceans have never come in so many forms - from industry to tourism, global warming to over-fishing. The Marine Conservation Society has produced Marine Conservation - the UK Action Guide for anyone wishing to find out more about the main issues in marine conservation: the facts, the problems, and the implications for the future as well as advice on reducing the human impact. It comes in a ring-bound folder and offers an annual update service for replacement pages.
  • Marine Conservation Society 01989 566017

    Casio G-Shock Whale of a time
    Stopwatch, alarm and water-resistance all come as standard on many watches nowadays. But how many also feature moon and tide information and cute little performing dolphins? Produced for the 9th International Dolphin and Whale Conference these limited edition watches feature all the above, come in a variety of ocean colours and run off a solar power supply to further enhance their environmental appeal. Prices start at 100.
  • G-Shock 0800 253 571

    Cressi-sub XS Plus Breathing to XS
    Further research and development by the Cressi-sub team has resulted in its new XS Plus regulator. This features a balanced piston first stage with two high-pressure and four low-pressure ports which the company says can provide 2300 litres of air per minute. The second stage features an adjustable venturi system and an injector to direct air into the ergonomically designed mouthpiece and keep breathing effort to a minimum, claims Cressi. Like the previous XS1 and XS2 models, the XS Plus features a flow-control vane designed to stop knocks and bumps causing an accidental free-flow. Price £190.
  • Cressi-sub 01484 310130

    HOLIDAY SHORTS
    It looks like Papua New Guinea (or PNG as those in the know say) is becoming more and more accessible. Crusader Travel (0181 744 0474) is now offering 15 days on a live-aboard there for £2895... Caledonian Airways has added a second weekly flight to Grenada to its schedule. Flights now go every Wednesday and Friday and return prices start at £328... Once you're there, the resort of La Source (0181 780 0800) now includes diving in its daily rate and features 20 dive sites and a "try-dive" programme... Scubaway, Easy Divers and Instructor Training Services have clubbed up and are holding a ladies only PADI Instructor Development Course in Hurghada this November, 01569 750292.


    Symbiosis Expedition Planning Child friendly
    Symbiosis Expedition Planning is encouraging you to take the kids with you on an 11-day trip to Malaysian Borneo. As well as a day's white-water rafting, three days in the rainforest and a trip to the orphaned orang utan centre, the price also includes a BSAC Ocean Diver or PADI Open Water training course, or, for trained divers, PADI Advanced or Rescue Diver courses. The diving is from Mantanani Island, Sabah. The holiday costs £775 for adults and £675 for 12-18 year-olds, not including flights.
  • Symbiosis Expedition Planning 0171 924 5906


    Bath-time diving
    Your bath might be a little too shallow for diving exploits, but with these colourful bath-plug attachments you can at least be reminded of some of your more exotic sightings. You can choose to have a fish, octopus or shark peeking out of your bubble bath. They come with plug attached - which in some cases also features its own exotic marine life. Prices start at £5.
  • Splash 0181 316 7886
    Appeared in DIVER - September 1999