How Dive Gear and Technology Can Enhance the Dive Experience

James Donaldson
27th April 2020

Diving is one of the most thrilling experiences of a lifetime. Marine researchers, professional oceanographers and recreational divers all have different goals for their excursions beneath the surface, but all benefit from the development of dive gear and technology.

People have been exploring the ocean since ancient times, and since then, we’ve only grown more curious. After centuries of physiological research and development, diving is now made easy and accessible to anyone with an interest in marine life or the ocean’s landscape, with the help of dive gear and technology.

These advancements have enhanced the dive experience in a myriad of ways:

Dive technology allows divers to be more precise.

With advancements in drones and GPS, divers of any caliber can be precise with their dives. Marine researchers, for example, use drones to scope out a location before investing time, manpower and energy into a dive. By observing the area from above, they can survey the ocean area they’re studying and reserve their resources for the most pertinent discoveries and submersions.

Underwater drones also allow diving teams or recreational divers to observe marine life and the aquatic landscape from the surface. This allows technology to do the heavy lifting before suiting up to go underwater.
The tools that divers have access to today make it easier to assess the water, the equipment and even the weather. This information can influence the nature of their dives and the results they uncover.

Dive gear and new technology allow divers to track their data and adjust accordingly.

Between advancements in dive computers and buoyancy compensator devices (BCDs), divers can track their heart rate, oxygen levels, temperature and other important figures while underwater, and adjust their equipment on the spot with more precision.

Dive computers provide easy-to-use, wearable technology that shows divers customized data during any dive. Whether you’d like to measure your skin’s temperature and heart rate to create a decompression routine that is unique to you, or you’d like your device to display navigation and safety data, dive computers have ample information for all of your needs. Significant improvements have already been made throughout the years, and technologists continue to improve both the hardware and software of these devices to ensure efficient and valuable data.

In addition to dive computers, BCDs are an essential piece of diving equipment. They have an inflatable bladder that establishes neutral buoyancy underwater and allow divers to float to the surface when ready.
These devices are now advanced enough that novice or professional divers can select the equipment that best suits their needs. You can choose from a variety of shapes, positions and functions that all still ensure safe buoyancy offset while underwater.

Dive gear and technology allow divers to cover more ground.

Perhaps you only have a short amount of time to explore or collect the data you’re after. Technology has provided a way for divers to expand their reach with the use of underwater people movers and advanced breathing devices.
People movers combine human strength with electric force, much like a stationary bicycle. These fin-like devices are powered by a combination of human muscles and an electric thruster, maintaining the physical element of diving as a sport, while allowing divers to cover more ground in each dive. You may be enjoying a dive on your cruise, or you could be launching a new series of underwater research. Either way, these devices can be as powerful or as relaxed as you need them to be.

Advanced breathing technology can also improve your endurance while underwater. There are powered snorkels, floating air compressors and a variety of new regulators on the market for any depth of dive. If you are exploring a barrier reef or coral reef, an advanced snorkel may suffice. However, if you’re deep sea diving, you may benefit from a regulator and air compressor that can help provide steady airflow for longer periods of time.
 

Dive technology helps divers record their findings.

There is so much beauty to be seen off the coasts of the world and technology makes it possible for divers and aquatic explorers to capture that beauty in intricate quality. Underwater cameras have undergone significant improvements over the years, providing excellent image quality and increased durability.
Cameras are now built to withstand incredible amounts of underwater pressure.

Divers can now take quality photos and videos, documenting every discovery and experience. Cameras can be attached to your scuba gear or operated by hand. Whether you’re on vacation and want to capture every memory or you’re collecting footage for a documentary or other oceanography work, there’s a camera for every skill level and every need.

Dive gear and technology exists to make it possible for humans to interact with aquatic environments and ocean life. The more research and development that goes into these new technologies, the closer we get to eliminating the barrier between us and the beautiful world in which we live.