Gates Becomes Hunter
The Gates Rubber Company, based in Dumfries, Scotland, is in the midst of transition. The diving suit division has been a part of the Hunter Wellington Boot division, which has handcrafted rubber products since 1856. The business was sold in May, and the diving suits are now being marketed under the Hunter brand. The products many commercial divers depend on-the PRO-AM, PRO-HD, and the new PRO-HRM-remain unaltered, only the name has changed.

In fact, Hunter has added some important new products to its line up. The most notable addition is the PRO-HRM rubber drysuit, developed specifically for contaminated water diving. The popular PRO-AM and PRO-HD suits offer adequate levels of protection against a range of chemicals, but this new suit takes protection to a higher level. The PRO-HRM will be of particular use to rescue divers, when contaminants such as aviation and hydraulic fuels are present.

The new suit's breakthrough times can be up to twice those of a conventional rubber suit. The abrasion resistance is also up to 30 percent better than traditional rubber suits.

Hunter's trilaminate suit, the CBX-450, is the thickest and strongest trilaminate on the market today. In fact, this suit tested considerably better than others in load at break, tear and puncture resistance, and taber abrasion. The CBX Codura/Butyl/Polyester suit makes a great general purpose "rough-guy" drysuit. This is the same material Hunter incorporated into their surface rescue suits for police, fire, and rescue crews.

Hunter's range of suit add ons and accessories has been increased to include fitted cuff ring systems, which are necessary to complete a sealed system. Commercial overboots were also recently introduced for extra foot protection and to allow for lead weighting.

Another area for development was the introduction of SRS and CRS surface rescue suits manufactured from tough, lighweight Cordura trilaminate fabrics. These are available with a host of add-ons such as reflective tapes, bellows leg and arm pockets, radio clips, and an array of boots (safety, heavy duty, or latex socks that allow an overboot).

The Hunter division, still based in Scotland, offers a wide selection of suit materials, sizes, and accessories. Hunter commercial diving suits and accessories are available in the USA through Divers Supply in Louisiana (www.diverssupplyinc.com), Desco in Milwaukee (www.divedesco.com), and High Tech Diving & Safety in Florida (941-624-4359). The Canadian distributor is Aqualung.

Desco Distributes New DeepSea Diving Helmet
Designed in cooperation with the Diving School of the Dutch Royal Engineers and three major Dutch diving companies, the new DeepSea Lightweight Diving Helmet is intended for diving with air or mixed gas.

The DeepSea Diving Helmet is designed on a modular principle with as many standard parts used as possible. It is planned for the helmet to accept most commercial demand regulators. At present the helmet has CE approval when fitted with either the Scubapro Balanced Adjustable, or the Kirby Morgan Diving Systems Demand Valve. The Institut National de la Plongée Professionelle (Marseille, France) granted CE certification. Testing and certification of new regulators by the INPP is ongoing.

The helmet shell is fiberglass laminate and comes in safety colors. Custom colors can be ordered. The helmet weighs 27 pounds and is neutrally buoyant. Lead counterweights are situated at various points to maximize diver comfort and reduce neck fatigue. The helmet has a top-mounted handle which can accommodate a camera and light. The side block (with its valves), the side block to demand regulator hose, and the demand regulator are protected by fiberglass covers, which also direct exhaust air to the rear of the helmet.

The "A" model features a wraparound window for maximum visibility. The "B" model's flat window is more suited to commercial use. Two neck ring options are offered. The model "1" has an oval neck ring configuration, and the model "2" has a round neck ring. The helmet can be used with a neck dam or dry suit. A chinstrap is fitted to prevent the helmet shifting. To insure a good fit, a selection of liners is available, and a hood is also offered as an option.

The demand regulator is connected to the oral-nasal mask and is fitted with a nose-clearing device activated by a knob on the window. Exhaled air exits through the exhaust valve. The helmet can be purged through an overpressure valve. For contaminated water diving, the exhaust and overpressure valves can be doubled up. The side block has fittings for surface air, bailout air, and an inflator whip.

The helmet can be fitted with different communications systems to be uniform with other equipment in a company's inventory. The shell is fitted with a watertight cable fitting. Provision for two speakers is provided.Email diveq@execpc.com or visit www.divedesco.com.

The Newest Dive Watch from Seiko
Once considered little more than gadgetry, dive watches have become a fundamental tool for the commercial diver, reporting more information with greater accuracy, while remaining compact and practical. One of Asia's best-selling and most advanced dive computer units, the Nitrox Bathymetric Underwater Gauge (BUG) Computer Watch, has been available in North America for almost a year, representing the most advanced dive computer technology on the market.

Seiko Epson, Japan spent three years assembling the best components available for the Nitrox BUG. Much of the development focused on improving the watch to take into account real-world conditions as well as complex and demanding dive profiles.

At the point of immersion water sensors activate the dive computer. Designed to be user-friendly, the screen is specifically engineered to be read underwater. Numeric and graphic information is displayed in a large format to account for the poor visibility often encountered underwater. This full-function nitrox/air dive computer is programmable from 21 to 50 percent FO2 with setting intervals of one percent. The computer also has full deco functions, automatic altitude calculations, and both visual and audible alarms.

Temperature is measured every minute while the computer samples other critical information every second.

The titanium case is the ultimate in strength and corrosion resistance and is waterproof up to 330 feet (100m). The battery will last up to three years (based on fifty one-hour dives per year) with the alarm sounding for ten seconds per dive.

New Zippers for DUI Drysuits
Diving Unlimited International (DUI) has introduced the QuickZip, an innovative new design for all of its fabric self-don drysuits. The QuickZip is a patented design in which the zipper starts in the middle of the lower back ,then ends below the top of the shoulder. This unique style allows for the suit to open wider, making it even easier to get on and take off. The zipper ends in the front of the shoulder for two reasons, it allows the diver to visually check to ensure the zipper is closed and it is much easier on the zipper. No more pulling and yanking over the shoulder.

The QuickZip uses DUI's unique telescoping torso. The QuickZip design uses the best features of the old self-don design, taking it a step further and making it easier to use. The diver can put the suit on left arm first, right arm first, or even head first as in an attached glove system. It's easy to zip up the waterproof zipper. Then, in one quick movement, you zip the zipper guard closed.

DUI has also redesigned the overlay styles and stock color options for the TLS350, CLX450, and FLX50/50. There are now three distinctive overlay designs, colors, and piping for each suit. Special Production made-to-order drysuits can select any of the three overlay designs and, with 24 different colors and materials to chose from, the number of designs are virtually limitless. The QuickZip is available now in special production sizing and expanded stock sizes for both men and women.

JW Fishers Hand-Held Magnetometer
JW Fishers' Diver Mag-1 hand-held magnetometer is a very popular tool with commercial divers. This super-sensitive detector of ferrous metals is commonly used to locate pipelines, cables, anchors, moorings, chains, dredge parts, lost tools, or any iron or steel object of any size.

Ruggedly constructed for commercial use, the Diver Mag-1 has user-friendly controls for ease of operation. The magnetometer has both audio and visual readouts for the diver and is powered by an internal 12-volt rechargeable battery. An external battery pack that attaches to the diver's waist is available for extended operations.

The Diver Mag-1 works equally well in or out of water and is covered by Fisher's two year warranty. Visit them online at www.jwfishers.com.

The G2000SS Commercial Diving Helmet
After years of designing, multiple prototype testing, and field use of in simulated and real job conditions, Gorski Services has arrived at what they consider the ultimate head gear for divers' life support, safety, and head protection on the market today: the new G2000SS diving helmet.

Beginning early in 2001, Gorski Services began receiving inquiries from the worldwide diving community requesting information on the new G2000SS diving helmet. The interest centered on what many perceived as a great advantage that the G2000SS has over other helmets. The addition of a first stage regulator feeding the second stage causes a balanced ease for operations at any depth.

These inquiries came from individual divers wanting to purchase a single helmet, diver training institutions interested in using the G2000SS in their training program, and companies wishing to have distributorship agreements. It became obvious that a mass-marketed G2000SS diving helmet would be accepted by the diving community.

Les Gorski, the helmet's inventor, made his first serious international contact regarding distributorship in February 2002 with Pommec, an industrial diving equipment supply company located in the Netherlands. Great interest had developed in this area of the world simply through divers seeing the G2000SS diving helmet on the company's website. This prompted Gorski to plan a visit with Pommec to consider them as a distributor in Holland, and to introduce the G2000SS diving helmet to their customers.

In August 2002, Gorski traveled to Europe with his helmet. He left the G2000SS so Pommec could demonstrate it to customers and obtain feedback. All who saw and tried the G2000SS wanted to know when it would be ready for production and how they could acquire it. The interest was overwhelming and Pommec became the first distributor.

Now that the helmet is available on the market, Gorski Services is in the process of developing an HEO2 gas reclaim system to be used with the G2000SS diving helmet for bell saturation diving operations. The company has asked the US Navy to test this helmet at the Experimental Diving Unit in Panama City, Florida. Gorski also anticipates receiving "CE" European Certification for the GS2000SS.

Safety Notice from Kirby Morgan Diving Systems
Kirby Morgan Diving Systems Inc. (KMDSI) has issued the following safety notice for all its commercial diving helmets and band masks. KMDSI dealers have found many cases of the oral nasal inhalation valve and the valve body of the oral nasal mask installed backwards on diver-maintained helmets. This is a dangerous practice with no reason or purpose for the incorrect installation.

All oral nasal inhalation valves in all Kirby Morgan masks and helmets must be installed so they open inward to the diver's mouth and nose. The valves serve to isolate the interior of the oral nasal mask upon exhalation to prevent carbon dioxide buildup in the helmet.

In the event of mechanical failure of the demand regulator breathing valve, the diver breathes from the flow provided by turning the steady flow (de-fogger) valve on. If the inhalation valve in the oral nasal is installed wrong (opening out), the oral nasal mask will be forced against the user's mouth and nose when the steady flow valve is opened. The further the steady flow valve is opened, the harder the oral nasal will seal against the nose and mouth. This could cause confusion and panic along with hard breathing.

This can be visually and physically checked by first looking into the oral nasal and making sure that you have the flat, smooth, rubber mushroom valve facing the inside of the oral nasal cavity. The plastic crossbar that holds the center of the rubber mushroom valve should be on the outside of the oral nasal.

Next, the valve is physically tested by putting the mask or helmet on (without face or neck seal) so the face seals on the oral nasal. There should be no resistance when inhaling or exhaling except for the very minor effort to open the mushroom valve (and the exhaust valve in the regulator). If the oral nasal valve is installed incorrectly, the oral nasal mask will be drawn up tight against the diver's face when they inhale, causing major inhalation resistance.

All Kirby Morgan helmet and mask manuals show the proper way to install this valve, and are available at www.kmdsi.com. KMDSI customers can call 805-965-8538 for additional information.

Finally! A Good Hang-Up for Divers
The Drysuit Hanger Company, located in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, makes a hanger specifically designed for drysuits. Known simply as the Hanger, it is recommended by many commercial drysuit manufacturers as the best way to dry and store your suit.

The Hanger has up to five adjustment settings, allowing you to hang your suit right side up or upside down by the boots. Soft sock suits can be accommodated as well by using a tennis ball in each sock.

Adjustments from 24 to 36 inches in width will accommodate any size suit. Using the hanger fully extended and hanging the suit upright alleviates all stress on the neck and zipper, thus extending the life of your suit. An optional attachment for the bottom of the hanger allows you to hang your hood, gloves, and mask.

Other uses include hanging waders, bunker gear, or hunting gear. The Hanger received a Four-Star Rating Tester's Choice Award from Rodale's Scuba Labs. For more on the Hanger, visit www.uhangem.com or call 717-838-2478 or 1-888-484-2643 (in North America).

Divelink Underwater Communication Systems
Divelink has added a new feature to their hands-free wireless underwater communications system. Now, communicating with dive team members, even when they are on the other side of the world, is as easy as picking up the phone.

Using a specialized adaptor, a cellular phone can be plugged into Divelink's modified headset surface unit. When a call is placed, the person on the other end is able to hear the diver's conversation and interact with both surface and underwater members of the dive team. Divers can communicate with experts or advisors around the world while the dive is in progress and the dive can be broadcast directly from the ocean floor without pre-recording or time delay.

The prototype for this system has been in development since early 2001. When the wreck of Blackbeard, the pirate's flagship, was discovered in April 2001, ABC approached Divelink to assist with the broadcast of that exploratory dive. ABC wanted to conduct a live interview between the Good Morning America crew in New York and the divers on the ocean floor in North Carolina. Using the Divelink system the diver's voice was transmitted from the ocean floor to two surface units and then retransmitted to New York via a cellular phone attached to one of the surface units. The result was a broadcast-quality interview that was a wireless transmission through the water and through the air with an integrated system, a first in the industry.

Diving equipment is continuously improving, becoming safer and easier to use, and underwater communications are no exception. The Divelink system is the only completely hands-free wireless underwater communications system on the market. The system is voice-activated and is not triggered by bubbles or ambient noise. The diver does not have to adjust the system at any time during the dive as automatic gain and squelch compensates for any variance in the system.

A compact and portable system, Divelink is compatible with a dive team's existing system-acquiring new dive gear isn't required-and Divelink can match any frequency. Divers are able to communicate with each other and with personnel on the surface. The surface unit is equipped with a speaker jack so the surface tender is able to perform other duties and listen to divers through an exterior speaker. For safety, the single channel diver unit is equipped with an emergency distress signal to alert other divers and surface personnel when a diver is in distress.

Recent innovations have made the system more flexible and suited to the commercial diver's varying needs. These include one, two, three, four, and eight channel units, a designated Public Safety Channel for qualifying organizations, and a whisper (stealth) mode. This mode is useful for dive missions where secrecy is a priority and confidentiality must be maintained and also to prevent cross talking between groups of divers. Dive team members are able to communicate with each other using the convenient features of the Divelink system without being overheard by others.

Head, shoulder and belt-mounted units also offer the most flexibility of any comm system on the market. Divelink's newest surface unit design has the capacity to switch between wireless ultrasonic transmission to a hardwire transmission for maximum flexibility. The Diver unit starts at $759 and can be fully customized to meet individual dive team specifications.

Mar-Vel's Hot Water Heater
Mar-Vel UnderWater Equipment has introduced the Monkey Heater, an innovative commercial hot water heater with many advantages over its predecessors. The heater provides commercial divers with a reliable source of heat for more comfortable dives.

The new Monkey Heater unit is smaller and lighter than previous models. It incorporates a number of features, including detachable fuel tanks that make fuel transfer a breeze.

Standard on every system is its own water supply pump. Mar-Vel utilizes a small, submersible pump (eliminating pump priming difficulties) that moves up to 11 gallons of water per minute. The pump comes with a 25-foot umbilical and is ready to go.

The heater unit itself includes an easy-to-read LED digital readout for monitoring water temperature, with a range of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat is supplied by a diesel-fired burner capable of 350,000 BTU. There is also a manual fuel pressure adjustment that enables divers to maintain a constant water temperature when the system is in use. The variation in temperature is maintained at plus or minus one degree, a great improvement over older systems.

The Monkey Heater system uses an adjustable high temperature shut-off to shut down the unit automatically should the water temperature become too warm. In addition, the unit has a special flow switch that will shut the system down should the water supply be accidentally cut off. The entire electrical system is sealed and can be operated outdoors in moist environments.

Diving Concepts Drysuits
Diving Concepts has released the Neo Z drysuit. It was developed from the highest grade neoprene available-Rubatex G-231 nitrogen gas-blown neoprene. This durable drysuit allows stretch and freedom of movement. The exterior has an abrasion-resistant nylon that will protect the drysuit, the same exterior found on Diving Concepts' Pinnacle Series of drysuits.

The Neo Z is a front entry drysuit with a telescoping torso and crotch strap. The medium-duty YKK drysuit zipper has a zipper protector. All seams are triple glued, double-blind stitched, and polymer sealed to protect their integrity. It is equipped with latex neck and wrist seals. Inflation valves are manufactured by Apeks with the Diving Concepts CEJN low-flow easy quick disconnect hose system or a standard connection system. Exhaust valves include Apeks low profile variable exhaust valves on the left shoulder. The kneepads and boots are compressed neoprene. The Neo Z is available in men's stock sizes M, ML, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL. It comes with a drysuit bag, drysuit hose, wet hood, manual, and zip-lube.

Diving Concepts' Z Flex drysuit is made entirely of Cordura nylon for demanding diving conditions. The exterior is abrasion-resistant and the drysuit has some stretch across the bias of the woven material. A front entry drysuit , it has a telescoping torso and crotch strap.

All seams are sewn with two threads and polymer sealed. The Z Flex is equipped with latex neck and wrist seals. The kneepads are a heavy duty nylon and neoprene mixture, while the boots are comfortable compressed neoprene boots with a vulcanized exterior. The Z Flex comes complete with a drysuit bag, drysuit hose, wet hood, owner's manual and zip-lube.