On Monday, December 31, 2001 10:34 AM, Christian Gerzner wrote:

(snip)

> Talking about trying out, Strike, d'you remember that Austrian
> "invention" of some ten years ago where you pumped air down through a
> tube via leg action? That one I *did* try out, and nearly killed
> myself in the process. Well, that might be putting it too strongly but
> I was certainly considerably less than impressed with the thing.

Mate!  I do remember that thing - 'though I never saw it in life, only in
pictures!  Didn't that involve a sort of Dolphin kick?  And the harder you
pedalled - and the more energy you expended - the greater the volume of air
pumped down!  What was it like?  :-)

> On the face of it I'd view this BOB thing with considerable suspicion
> as well. If there is indeed no 2nd stage, I do hope that the exhaust
> valve is one way and the "bubble" has a tight seal.

Somebody at one of the Asian Dive Shows a few years back was promoting it
and looking for resorts interested in stocking up with the things.  In that
regard, it's probably already gone the way of SNUBA, in which the cylinder
was housed in a small inflatable surface craft while the second stage
regulator was on the end of a long - 10 feet or so - hose.  From memory, the
rationale was that a diver could experience absolute freedom - apart from
being tethered by an umbilical to a towed surface craft!!!  :-)

About 18-months ago, I did try out the 'Power Snorkel' while diving on the
Barrier Reef.  A pump - powered by a small car battery - was contained in a
bouyant, water-resistant, housing with provision for two umbilicals and
second stages that a buddy pair could tow behind them.  I can remember
hanging on the deco bar, sucking like mad  - and with my cheeks meeting in
the middle of my mouth from the effort - trying to get air from the thing
after two other divers had successfully trialled it for about forty minutes!
The battery - that from memory was supposed to provide sufficient power for
up to two hours - didn't live up to expectations!!  :-)

In fact, I've just had a quick search and found it at:
http://www.powerdive.com/Products/Models/PowerSnorkel.htm

That's yet another, "let's re-invent the wheel", type invention that'll
probably be consigned to the dustbin of history!  :-)

Strike