The Boat Left Without You: Now What?

Signaling gear is incredibly useful in a variety of situations — including when the boat leaves without you. Here’s how to purchase signaling gear and what to do.

Surfaced diver floats next to red marker

Understanding Oxygen Kit Components

Oxygen is the standard of care for first aid in dive injuries. You do not need to determine if the injured person is experiencing decompression sickness (DCS), arterial gas embolism (AGE), or nonfatal drowning, as oxygen can be beneficial in all these situations.

Assisting with oxygen kit

Breaking into Backplates

Recreational divers are using highly customizable backplate-and-wing BCs to improve their trim and meet their needs in varying conditions.

A Black diver is wearing fancy backplates to help them dive

Validation of Dive Computers

Dive computers have evolved rapidly since their inception, however, questions arose over the years over their safety. Read more about dive computers.

Variety of dive computers and watches on a red fabric

When Gas Goes Bad

Breathing gas is incredibly important to divers and just as important as quantity is quality. Do you know the signs of breathing gas contamination?

Man sniffs the valve of his air cylinder

Used Rebreather Scrubber Disposal

Sorb, or scrubber, plays a critical role in rebreather diving, as it is responsible for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the diver’s breathing gas. Small granules or pellets absorb exhaled CO2 and allow oxygen to pass through. This chemical process allows rebreathers to recycle exhaled air, limiting gas consumption and allowing longer dives. 

Sorb becomes saturated with calcium carbonate after prolonged use

Invisible Crystals

Polymorphic crystallization inside hoses has recently emerged as a hazard divers should be aware of. Be sure to replace old hoses, limit hoses’ exposure to high temperatures, and follow manufacturers’ maintenance recommendations.

A new black hose is being held

Redefining Performance

Diver propulsion vehicles are a handy tool that can redefine a diver’s performance. Read more about these vehicles and how to choose one for you.

Female diver holds a yellow propulsion vehicle

Underwater Communications Systems

Communication systems are a niche product for recreational and tech divers. If you’re wondering whether your next diving project might benefit from vox (voice) communication, it’s worth learning a little about the technology, its implementation and use.

Dive pops up from hole in ice holding a communication system

Minimizing Lift Bag Risks

Divers generally use lift bags to raise submerged objects to the surface. The lift bag is filled with gas until the object exhibits neutral buoyancy so divers can bring it to the surface with minimal exertion.

Pillow bags are the largest lift bags and require significantly more gas than the other styles.