UWATEC Launch PDIS - Profile-Dependent Intermediate Stops
December 2007
PDIS interprets your dive profile and calculates an intermediate stop as a function of the nitrogen uptake your body has endured so far. This type of intermediate stop allows your body to reduce on gassing and slowly release nitrogen while you continue cruising along and enjoy your dive.
PDIS is an innovation to our already high performing safe diving algorithm using science as the base. It can be used to inhibit bubble growth during an ascent from a deep dive by performing a stop and hence increasing safety. Or it can be used to maximize dive time by spending the tail end of the dive shallower than the PDIS.
PDIS also optimizes the time you spend underwater. By making a proposed intermediate stop you give your body time to desaturate the main tissues while you continue diving, without prolonging any necessary deco stops. This is safer for your body and makes for a more pleasurable dive.
Although a trend towards ‘deep stops’ has infiltrated the dive computer industry, UWATEC has responded with real science. UWATEC’s intermediate stops take key elements into the equation and actually incorporate your profile into the calculation, considering: Nitrogen accumulated from the ongoing dive , nitrogen accumulated from previous dives (repetitive diving dependent), type of breathing mixes you use conventional deep stops completely ignore these factors.
The PDIS stop is calculated as the depth where the leading tissue for the decompression calculation is off gassing. The computer advises the diver to make a 2 minute stop just above the depth displayed on the computer. Galileo then starts a 2 minute countdown. During the PDI stop the leading tissue in your body is releasing nitrogen, which combined with the relatively high ambient pressure, inhibits bubble growth. 
PDIS is an added safety feature which can be followed during both no-stop and decompression dives. With Galileo you have the choice to follow your PDIS recommendation or you can turn it off and dive using our core adaptive algorithm.
PDIS is available exclusively for the Galileo SOL and is available as the first firmware upgrade for exisiting Galileo SOL owners via free download from the SCUBAPRO UWATEC website at www.scubapro-uwatec.com, and will be integrated into all production Galileo SOL's from January 2008.
ADVICE ON CYLINDER TESTING
The HSE have recently published new guidelines on the testing of cylinders. We have asked them a couple of questions regarding legislation and whether or not this means that cylinders must be inspected more regularly. But so you know what is going on please read the advice sheet by clicking here.DEMA 2006 REPORT
This year the annual DEMA show was held in Florida and as 
well as a few wild and wacky innovations significantly there were 2 new rebreathers on show. The Voyager Sport is an Italian manufactured modular system that looks realy smart. In comes in various options and with a carbon fibre casing has a space age feel to it. The counter lungs can be mounted in the rear or on the front and there are numerous options available. The one that caught my eye was a lightweight sport system (not sure that KISS might have something to say about the name) which has semi closed and closed modules. The wing system is well integrated into the unit and looks robust enough to last. The other rebreather was a small jet pack system designed and built in the UK by Bubbleseekers. Called the Titan what strikes you straight away is the small size. Weighing in at only 24 lbs it matches the evolution for convenience. The same company also had a good torch on show. It is a 25W LED that has a wet connection system to an external battery. So you can either use the in-built batteries (4 hours of life) or plug in. It also comes with a glove that fits over the hand rather than the more common handle.
Aqualung has finally brought out something new that is significant – a couple of years ago their only development was a SOS signaling device that was attached to the BCD. They have now introduced the I3 BCD inflation system. It is not pneumatic unlike the MAREs but is very effective for those interested in going away from the usual hose. It does have the traditional fitting as an option for those that want it. 
Aqualung have also brought out replacement for the Titan regulator. Called the Kronos it comes with a new second stage which includes an extended exhaust that allows breathed air to flow over the intermediate hose helping to warm the hose and prevent free flowing at the low pressure seat – simple but ingenious.
Oceanic have brought out a new fin – the V8 which looks suspiciously like the Scupbapro twin speed but is likely to be a cheaper option.
I also spotted a fully Kevlar suit that would be good on some of those jagged wrecks we are used to in the UK and this was selling at 1600 Euro RRP. Not bad really. The seals are all hand finished and it is extremely well made. Surprisingly it is not made in China but in Italy, which would normally push the price up.
Brit company Funky Fins were there for the second year – good to see them doing well and we like the fins and will be stocking them in the New Year ready for the holiday snorkellers season.
Weird and wonderful gadgets – well the tank boot with wheels is still going strong, but I did spot a “hands free” reel. This has a whole load of electronic wizardry so that it senses when you go up and winds in automatically, adds taution to the line automatically and cooks your breakfast and wipes your bum. They also had a self tensioning version which could not snag – apparently …. That was until I managed to create a birds nest in the middle of it – simple to do – half a turn backwards and it’s a total mess. Oh well.
There was also the convection wetsuit hanger – yes, it’s a hanger with a fan that blows air through the suit to dry it more quickly. The glow in the dark rope was no longer there but the snorkel with a light on top was still hanging in there.
The only other news to report was that at the DEMA awards party I actually won a raffle prize worth $300. Never won anything in my life – the prize ….. a 4 day trip to the Bahamas including 3 nights accommodation 2 days diving and a NAUI staff instructors course. The only snag was the £500 flights to get there and the fact that there is no much point in doing a SI course as a CD!
So that was it – from the land of piped music (incredibly irritating), Mickey Mouse, Universal Studios and thousands of screaming kids …. All of whom were on my plane going back.
The Oceanic fins will be in stock in the New Year and the Kronos regulator will also be in very soon.
NEW PRODUCTS
Scubapro have now brought out an umbilical/handle torch to compete with some of those sold by more “tekkie” diving manufacturers. The Module light has 3 torch head options, HID, LED and standard Halogen and comes in handle or umbilical mode. Prices are very competitive.
Now in stock, we have the new award winning F30, which compliments the already popular F11 range. The F30 is smaller and more powerful, with amazing natural light setting and underwater mode features that enable you to take pictures even when it is almost dark, without a flash. The battery is good for over 500 pictures and the camera even has an internal memory as well as an XD memory card. As a Fuji Centre, we are offering this package at £429.99 including the camera, housing, carry case and XD memory card. For a demo, why not pop into the dive centre.
We are now stocking a range of US Divers' masks, fins and snorkels. We also have a range of Three Peaks footwear in the shop. These were very successful at the Birmingham Outdoor Show when we launched the product as part of range back in March so well worth a look.
DEMA 2005 REPORT
DEMA is the diving industry’s biggest trade show and takes place in the US. This year it was held in Las Vegas (which quite clearly is a terrible place to have to go for a show!). I have been attending the show for about 5 years now and it never ceases to amaze me what you can find in the vast hall. So, I thought I might share some of my finds with you this year. Top 
of the list has to be a couple of new products from some big manufacturers. Oceanic have produced a new jacket. They have called it the Excursion which may add to some confusion as this is also the name of one of their kit bags. The excursion is a wing type jacket which will replace the Chute 3 system early next year. The colour scheme and features list look pretty good so if you are looking for a sports wing it is worth looking at. Later into 2006 the oceanic team will also be launching a new mask. Something
else that caught my eye was a new scooter from Seadoo. The latest model has been beefed up from earlier versions, which do not really take the rough use they get from students. With 3 speeds a longer battery life and a top speed of around 3 knots, this latest model looks promising. I made a couple of purchases while I was there as well and one was a new knife from Spyderco. John Bantin from Diver magazine missed the product but I gave him a full run down on the plane coming back so that he could include it in his DEMA report in next months edition. Called their SALT range, they are a “knife for life” in that they cannot rust even in salt water and are extremely sharp. I only wish they came in some sort of holder so they can be more easily attached to dive gear.
Custom divers, well known for high quality technical gear have produced a new wing system. Called the Bravo (Alex from CD told me it is Italian for “clever”) the wing has a unique twin bladder system. No bags, simply a separating sheet built into the back wing. It is also adaptable to single tanks and can be pulled apart to work as a travel wing as well. With an injection of colour from their normal black or black I reckon it is going to be a very popular product. While on the topic of Custom divers, 
they are also now selling the Megladon CCR. This is still awaiting CE approval but at a price and size to match the Ambient Pressure range of CCRs it will be interesting to see what happens in that particular market. As well as new developments in these traditional products, there are always a few more “interesting “ ones on show. Some are good, some are amusing and some are ridiculous; I will let you make up your own mind which is which! For example, there was a snorkel from a Korean
manufacturer with a built in light on the top, indispensable for those regular night snorkels you undertake and a great safety feature when snorkelling in foggy conditions. There was the rope and cleats that glow in the dark – just remember to shine your light on them first for a period of time to make them glow. There was the tank boot with built in wheels – well hey, we put men on the moon 
before we put wheels on suitcases so don’t knock it. I particularly liked - in IDC evaluation fashion - the integral 30m watertight sliding container which I was told “could take a packet of cigarettes or a phones” – just in case you need a fag or to get in touch with a loved one while you are half way through that third dive of the day. There were loads of other products, sublime and ridiculous that keep an avid kit freak amused for hours, it was only a pity that I had to party on the Las Vegas strip at the end of each day – the worst bit of the trip obviously. Next year DEMA is in Orlando, so may well be reporting on the latest affair between Mickey, Minnie and Goofy as well as all that is weird and wonderful in the diving world.
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