Freedivers safety vest in development

[Jon]

This thing is already on the top of my "must have" list. I just wish I knew a ball park figure on it's cost so I would know how much blood I'll have to sell to pay for it.

Back in the 80's there was a wetsuit company, I think it was Moray, that made wetsuits with integrated B.C.'s built right into them. They had the bladder built into the front of the suit and had the oral inflator hose coming out on the upper left hand side of the chest. I seem to remember that this was a New Zeland company so maybe someone from that neck of the woods can back me up on it. Most of us have also seen the pictures of Pipin's and Loic's inflatable suits so it has be done in the past- although those didn't have the timing systems on them.

From the picture in the article it looks stream lined enough for spearing. The part that caught my attention was that the cylinder was a small bottle that could refilled off of a scuba tank, something like a spare air. This would be MUCH nicer to have than replaceable CO2 cartriges.

I tried to email Terry Mass on a price, or a contact, but haven't gotten an answer back.

Jon

[efattah]

With the F1 technology already developed, building an auto-inflating vest would be quite simple -- in particular if the vest itself (rubber/plastic membrane) already existed and just needed a cylinder & electronics.

However there are serious liability issues involved.

[Huan]

I remember the issue of liability being discussed during the development of this, and from memory there was some talk about it being sold as a kit that you completed.
I really can't remember the exact details but it was along those lines.

[Fondueset]

The liability stuff would be extremely scarey - and also the likelyhood that alot of divers would get overconfident and take risks they might not otherwise. Be great to get it on the market though - I hope those issues an be overcome - possibly some kind of massive disclaimer.

[Jon]

talk about it being sold as a kit that you completed

I, believe, that's how the KISS rebreather is being sold- along with a big notice engraved into the side of the scrubber cansiter saying that this coud kill you if you dive it.

From the people I know who dive the KISS it seems to work out pretty well for them, and after seeing the unit up close and personal I wouldn't mind owning one myself.

Jon

[Daryl Wong]

Aloha Spearos,

I though you might be interested in alink for more info onthe freedive vest. Terry send this to me and I offered to post it. I have seen this vest andhow it works and want to be one of the first customers when it comes out. It is a great product in the developent of making our sport safer.

Aloha, Daryl


Please follow this link for a
new study of shallow water blackout and information on how the vest works.
Note that while I am an enthusiastic supporter of the freediver's vest
concept, I have no economic interest in the company, nor do I plan to in
the future. http://www.freedive.net/swb.htm

Terry Maas

[jimdoe2you]

Daryl,

Will you have one of these vest with you when arrive to scout with Sheri in April? (Presuming it is being produced by then)

Jim

[Daryl Wong]

Aloha Jim,

It would be nice to have one to use in April, but the Freedive vest is still in the design and testing stage. It is being tweaked here and there and the Applied Ocean Specialties team of Jason and Chip are working as hard as they can on it. This project is a labor of love and one they feel will benefit everyone in our sport. There will be hours of field testing to do and Terry and the team will keep us informed as the project moces toward the final product.

Aloha, Daryl

[Jon]

Daryl,

Any idea of a 'Ball Park' figure on how much this is going to cost? Is it going to be a $500 item or a $1000 one?

I firmly plan on getting one either way- I just want to know how much I need to set aside.

Jon

[Daryl Wong]

Aloha John,

I don't know how much it will be once the vest is ready for the market. I do know that Jason and Chip are not in it for the money. It will probably be priced to be competitive with similar vests such as the sospenders type inflatable harness's. I have six on my boat. They are great in that they are small and can be worn as standard boat wear when fishing.
The vest is still in the testing stages and it will be a while before it hits the market. Its great to see that there are so many who can see the benefits of this freedive vest.

Aloha, Daryl

[yugyug]

after reading the article by terry maas I had some thoughts. I posted them on spearboard but as yet no one has approached. Perhaps they are a bit silly, or I don't understand the mechanisms well enough, (i am not a highly experienced freediver) but can anyone here comment on the following:

+ what about accidental inflation or inflation in a dangerous location i.e a cave. Not being able to descend again even temporarily could be a problem because of cave overhangs. I suppose that not many divers are going to be still in a cave at the vests auto-inflate time, but if you were, can you quick release it/deactivate the inflation?

+ is 10 feet enough depth to avoid an oncoming boat? If you surface and have to quickly dive again becasue of a boat, Mass' article states the vest will allow you to dive to 10 feet before triggering (as part of its surface blackout function). So what if its a big boat, or you misjudge your depth, you've misjudged the time to dive slightly because who are bit freaked out by the oncoming boat, and the vest triggers while you are underneath the propellers? I understand this would be a rare situation, but still....?

generally though I think this is a neat idea and look forward to it in use.

[mattymatt]

If accidental inflation were to occur, you could just stick the vest with your knife. Just a thought.

[yugyug]

you're right. not elegant, but thats what knives a for.

[Erik]

Regarding caves and boats, common sense balanced with bravado (or stupidity) need to be adhered to. You want to freedive deep into caves? Go ahead. If you were deep in a cave (more than 10 metres in ) and this vest inflated by accident, you would easily be able to walk your way along the ceiling with your hands-- there's just not that much lift, especially at depth.
If you're diving around lanes that are used by boats that have a 10' draft ( ), you should have a float and have some situational awareness, ie: "Look around and notice if there are huge boats headed in my direction before my maximum 2 minute dive".
Both of those scenarios are rare and the chance of that vest inflating accidently at that point ...well, I'm no mathematician.

Scubadivers use complex equipment that has many failure points, with a tiny percentage of injuries/death occuring due to equipment failure. 3 reasons come to mind- first, scubagear is put together very well for the most part- second, we train and practice on how to deal with an equipment failure-third, we dive within our limitations and training.

I'll take my chances that if this ever did accidently inflate I'd be brought to the surface and at most pissed off that I missed a fish
Peace,
Erik Y.

[Fondueset]

pull string dump valve