From Dive Computers to Global Positioning, Scuba Diving has gone well beyond your basic mask, fins and aqualung. Here then are some of the latest gizmos and gadgets in a dazzling array of High Tech Scuba Gear and accessories.
Dive computers probably more then any scuba diving innovation of the last few years have revolutionized diving, practically eliminating the need for dive tables. Worn like a traditional dive watch a dive computer senses depth throughout a dive and therefore gives a much more accurate profile of a dive then a dive table, which can only draw conclusions based on the deepest point of your dive, and does not take into account the amount of time spent at that depth. The increased accuracy of the Dive Computer safely increases your bottom time. Over the course of a several day dive trip a dive computer can actually safely add hours to your bottom time.
Not only have high tech devices like Dive Computers been added to the "gear bag" traditional scuba gear itself has received a High-Tech Makeover - like the CompuMask - a dive mask that features a "heads-up" display like that worn by fighter pilots. While not obstructing vision the CompuMask features a LCD in-mask panel that displays critical dive data such as current depth, elapsed time, cylinder pressure and dive time remaining. There is also a whole series of computer software designed just for divers that allow information from dive computers to interface with and be stored on your PC creating digital Dive Logs. Even swim fins have gone high tech with sleek designs and improved materials that increase comfort, speed and mobility with less physical effort by the diver. Buoyancy Compensators, or BC or BCD have also improved dramatically - most specifically with the rear inflation design which allows far more freedom of movement, and still the necessary lift and surface positioning of traditional front inflating BC. There are even BC's that have been designed to specifically conform to the unique elements of the female form.
Improved technology in underwater digital cameras has opened up the world of underwater photography to many more scuba divers. While there were always inexpensive disposable underwater cameras or housings that could be bought for surface cameras - to get really good underwater photos, you needed to pay a lot of money for sophisticated gear best left to the pros. Not any more. Underwater digital cameras that take phenomenal pictures can be had for under 500.00 that have many high-tech features and are rated to 180 feet or more. Probably one of the greatest high tech toys available to the scuba diver is the Dive Vehicle or Underwater Propulsion Device. Scuba diving with an underwater vehicle or Dive Propulsion Vehicle decreases strain and increases dive time, as you cruise along effortlessly beneath the waves. Dive propulsion vehicles can be the familiar "torpedo" type held out in front of the diver, or there are dive scooters that one or two divers can sit and ride upon, and perhaps as an homage to James Bond or maybe even George Jetson, there are DPV's that can be strapped to the tanks on the scuba divers back, or Jet Boots, initially designed to help those with disabilities dive, that propel the diver along in a genuinely fun and Sci-fi fashion.
Underwater Photography
Just as it has for surface cameras and would be photographers advances in digital photography are making underwater photography easier, less expensive and the amateur shoot like a pro. The advantages of digital underwater camera over film are the same as with a surface counter part. No need to worry about running out or replacing film, no processing charges or waiting for processing, and easier manipulation and duplication of underwater digital photos with your computer. Still there are some tips that can really hello you take home some special memories form your scuba diving adventure.
Digital underwater cameras have made good results possible with "point and click" for the scuba diving picture taker. A few simple pointers will help you get the most out of your marine models. Get as close as possible to your subject and always shoot form underneath. The unearthly formation beneath the waves and the magnifying effect of water make scale sometimes difficult to comprehend in an underwater photo - which in some ways leads to there magic, but if you are taking a picture of an eel or fish and want to achieve a real sense of scale try to also catch a recognizable object in the frame. Always use your flash and try to shoot at an upward angle. While newer high tech cameras are making underwater photography easier for divers, mastery of some basic Scuba skills is still important in taking great underwater snaps. Primarily if you want to take good underwater pictures you need to master controlling buoyancy. This means no flailing about with your hands as this will not only potentially stir up silt and debris and mare your picture, but those hands will be holding a camera. With proper breathing techniques a diver will learn how to stay buoyant with minimal body movements - which will not only let you take better pictures, you will be able to get more of them by staying under longer as you consume les air.
A word about subject matter, while it is potentially impossible to take bad pictures during a reef dive, or feeding stingrays, it is a good idea to try to take photos that tell a story. A series of photos that document your dive experience, will be far more interesting then just a series of random albeit beautiful images of sea life. Remember with a digital camera there is no cost of film and you usually have 100's of pictures available on a chip or card, so take your camera with you everywhere and don't be afraid to snap everything and document your whole trip, you probably spent thousands to get to that resort, include it, and pictures of the airport, your dive boat and dive master too. Once you are underwater don't get hung up on just getting close-ups of the animals, or the reefs, while these will make great screen savers, broaden your horizons a bit, take pictures entering the water, descending, and returning to the dive boat. Take some wider angle pictures that show the true scope of the whole environment you were in, too many scuba divers say "wow you should have seen the rest of it" while showing friends and family a great close-up of that Clown fish that looked "just like the on in that movie"
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