Abstract: A regulator first stage for two-stage underwater breathing apparatuses includes a reduction chamber communicating with a high-pressure gas supply through a balance valve, which is influenced by the pressure of the external environment by a balance diaphragm that, by way of a suitable actuator, acts on the valve. The reduction chamber includes one or more medium pressure outlets, having axes parallel to the operating axis of the balance valve. In one configuration, one or more medium pressure outlets are also provided having axes orthogonal to the operating axis of the valve.

Abstract: A pressure reducing second stage for underwater use includes a case provided with a breathing gas inlet, with an inhalation/exhalation port and with an exhaled gas exhaust outlet with a non-return valve, the gas inhalation/exhalation port being connected to a mouthpiece tube, the breathing gas inlet in the case being connected to a breathing gas pressure reducing device provided with a hollow cylindrical element or pipe, which has a breathing gas inlet port communicating with a gas supply conduit through a valve which is interposed between the supply conduit and the mouthpiece tube, the case being provided with a pressure sensitive means device for controlling the opening/closure of the valve. The breathing gas inlet in the case is provided in its lower portion and the hollow cylindrical element is connected to the inlet on the case such that its axis is substantially vertical, when used in the upright position.

Abstract: A method for for assessing severity of an underwater dive includes calculating a dive severity index by: (a) determining the gas breathed by the diver; (b) measuring the dive time; (c) determining the depth profile of the dive; (d) calculating a dive severity index based on a function of steps (a), (b) and (c); and (e) assessing severity based on the dive severity index calculated in step (d), wherein the steps (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) are carried out in real time, at each instant of the dive time of the diver, and step (d) is performed according to the formula: DSI=k1*f(GAS)*f(D)*f(T), where: DSI is the dive severity index, k1 is an arbitrary constant, f(GAS) is a function of the inhaled gas, f(D) is a function of the dive depth, and f(T) is a function of the dive time.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator jacket for scuba diving includes an inflatable and deflatable bladder; a backplate part, to which the bladder and elements fastening at least one breathing gas cylinder are attached; and at least one pair of shoulder straps for securing it to the torso of a user and at least one ventral securing strap or ventral closure of the jacket. The jacket further includes a sternal securing element composed of at least one sternal or chest strap, which has at least one costal connection element distinct from the pair of shoulder straps and connecting the sternal strap to the backplate part.

Abstract: A device for reversibly connecting together a first element and a second element designed to be alternately connected and disconnected includes a male element, inserted into a female element to move from a mutually disengaged state to a mutually engaged state, and a slider, for actuation/release of the engaged state, which is slidingly engaged by the male element into the female element. The relative movement of the actuation/release slider and the male element is transferred to first releasable locking members of the male element, which cooperate with corresponding second locking members of the female element to move from a stable locked state to a stable unlocked state of the male element by a movement of the slider in the direction of insertion. Furthermore, the male element includes a handle having the slider at least partially and slidingly housed therein.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator jacket for scuba diving includes an inflatable and deflatable bladder; a backplate part, to which the bladder and elements fastening at least one breathing gas cylinder are attached; and at least one pair of shoulder straps for securing it to the torso of a user and at least one ventral securing strap or ventral closure of the jacket. The jacket further includes a sternal securing element composed of at least one sternal or chest strap, which has at least one costal connection element distinct from the pair of shoulder straps and connecting the sternal strap to the backplate part.

Abstract: A device for releasably connecting a first element with a second element includes a male element connectable to one end of the first element, and a female element connectable to one end of the second element such that the male and female element pass from a disengagement condition to a mutual engagement condition. A slider activates and deactivates engagement and is engaged to the male element such to slide along the axis of insertion of the male element inside the female element. The relative motion between the activation/deactivation slider and the male element is transmitted to first removable locking members, belonging to the male element and cooperating with corresponding second locking members belonging to the female element such to pass from a stable locking condition to a stable release condition of the male and female elements via a movement of the slider along the axis of insertion.

Abstract: A diving computer is provided. The diving computer includes a computer connected to a dot matrix screen to display information concerning a dive. The computer has an interface to an external personal computer for reprogrammably configuring the information displayed on the screen. The user may customize the information on one or more views of the screen in several ways. The user may select the desired information to be displayed, and may customize the size and placement of the information on one or more views. The diving computer also has a number of pre-programmed displays that may be selected, each of which present different layouts and organizations of diving related information.

Abstract: A dive computer that includes heart rate monitoring capability is provided. The heart rate monitoring is accomplished by a belt that fits around the diver's chest, and the information is wirelessly transmitted to the dive computer. The heart rate information may be displayed during and after a dive, and the dive computer may selectively utilize the monitored heart rate information to compensate the decompression algorithm based on workload during the dive. The dive computer can also utilize the monitored heart rate information to compensate the decompression algorithm based on workload on the surface before and/or after the dive for no fly and repetitive dive calculations.

Abstract: A diving computer is provided. The diving computer includes a computer connected to a dot matrix screen to display information concerning a dive. The computer has an interface to an external personal computer for reprogrammably configuring the information displayed on the screen. The user may customize the information on one or more views of the screen in several ways. The user may select the desired information to be displayed, and may customize the size and placement of the information on one or more views. The diving computer also has a number of pre-programmed displays that may be selected, each of which present different layouts and organizations of diving related information.

Abstract: A valve assembly and a regulator for use therein are disclosed. The valve assembly includes a valve poppet having a first end having a first face and a second end having a second face. The first face has a surface area smaller than the surface area of the second face. The second end of the valve poppet is received in a sealed chamber and a passage provides fluid communication between the inlet of the regulator and the chamber for allowing gas accumulating in the chamber to act on the second face for urging the valve poppet in the closed position without the use of a spring.

Abstract: A quick release connector is provided for underwater diving equipment such as a weighting system for buoyancy control. The quick release connector includes a first connector portion which may be mounted to the apparel unit and a second connector portion which may be mounted to one or more weights. The second connector portion interfaces with the first connector portion includes a pivotable lock that can be actuated against a spring to decouple the two connector portions and allow for manual release of the weights.

Abstract: A valve assembly and a regulator for use therein are disclosed. The valve assembly includes a valve poppet having a first end having a first face and a second end having a second face. The first face has a surface area smaller than the surface area of the second face. The second end of the valve poppet is received in a sealed chamber and a passage provides fluid communication between the inlet of the regulator and the chamber for allowing gas accumulating in the chamber to act on the second face for urging the valve poppet in the closed position without the use of a spring.

Abstract: A second stage regulator and a method providing a second stage regulator that is adapted for use in both warm and cold water conditions are disclosed. The second stage regulator includes a base, a first exhaust and a second exhaust that is adapted to be removably coupled to the base so that the second exhaust valve is positioned in series with the first exhaust valve. The method comprises providing a second stage regulator base module and a second exhaust valve module, wherein the second stage regulator base module includes a first exhaust valve and the second exhaust valve module includes a second exhaust valve. The method also comprises removably coupling the second exhaust valve module to the second stage regulator base module, and configuring the second stage regulator base module to be functional without having the second exhaust valve module coupled to the second stage regulator base module.

Abstract: A swim fin and a method providing thrust from a kick by a swimmer are disclosed. The swim fin includes a swim fin for use by a swimmer comprising a foot pocket adapted to receive a foot of the swimmer; a blade extending from the foot pocket; a biasing system configured to allow the blade to bend within a narrow range of angles of attack under a wide range of loads. The method comprises providing a swim fin comprising a foot pocket, a blade, and one or more non-linear ribs that extend generally perpendicular to the blade. The method also comprises bending the blade relative to the foot pocket about an axis and controlling the bending of the blade by providing varying resistance by the non-linear ribs.

Abstract: A swim fin and a method providing thrust from a kick by a swimmer are disclosed. The swim fin includes a swim fin for use by a swimmer comprising a foot pocket adapted to receive a foot of the swimmer; a blade extending from the foot pocket; a biasing system configured to allow the blade to bend within a narrow range of angles of attack under a wide range of loads. The method comprises providing a swim fin comprising a foot pocket, a blade, and one or more non-linear ribs that extend generally perpendicular to the blade. The method also comprises bending the blade relative to the foot pocket about an axis and controlling the bending of the blade by providing varying resistance by the non-linear ribs.

Abstract: A buoyancy control system includes an apparel unit worn by a user and including a front panel, a pocket along the front panel having an interior, a weight pouch configured to hold at least one weight and removably received within the interior of the pocket, a first connector portion coupled to the weight pouch and a second connector portion released the couple to the first connector portion. The first and second connector portions form a mechanical lock actuatable between a connected state in which the lock connects a weight pouch to the apparel unit and a disconnected state in which a weight pouch may be removed from the weight pocket by a single manipulation step of the hand of the diver. In one exemplary embodiment, the device further includes an elastic band coupled between the apparel unit and the second connector.

Abstract: A buoyancy control system includes an apparel unit worn by a user and including a front panel, a pocket along the front panel having an interior, a weight pouch configured to hold at least one weight and removably received within the interior of the pocket, a first connector portion coupled to the weight pouch and a second connector portion released the couple to the first connector portion. The first and second connector portions form a mechanical lock actuatable between a connected state in which the lock connects a weight pouch to the apparel unit and a disconnected state in which a weight pouch may be removed from the weight pocket by a single manipulation step of the hand of the diver. In one exemplary embodiment, the device further includes an elastic band coupled between the apparel unit and the second connector.