Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
Diving is a sport in a state of continuous change. Each year we seem to see
dramatic changes in equipment, training, and in more positive diver attitudes
Since the first stories of aqua-lung equipped divers exploring the depths were
published back in the fifties, divers have been tinkering, modifying, and
adapting equipment from a plethora of sources in order to meet particular needs
and requirements.
The `90's has brought two great changes to the diving world. First, all divers
are becoming much more environmentally aware, and conscious, of man's
interactions with nature. Good buoyancy is no
longer the private realm of divemasters and instructors, and more and more
divers are emphasizing the look-but-don't-touch policy, particularly in nearby
Caribbean destinations.
Another change in the 90's is the up-surge in interest in what is generally
referred to as "technical diving". New training agencies have been created to
provide training, and manufacturers have new
product lines to meet the demand for specialty gear. The Boston Sea Rovers
welcome the change, and actively promote safe diving practices. As such, we're
proud to host the 1st annual equipment configuration contest. The idea is to
promote safe diving by increasing the safety of divers, and the versatility of
their equipment.
THE BOSTON SEA ROVERS
1st ANNUAL
EQUIPMENT CONFIGURATION CONTEST
Held in conjunction with the Boston Sea Rovers 42nd Annual International
Underwater Clinic, March 2 & 3, 1996 at the Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA,
USA. This contest is sponsored by DUI, Inc.
THEME: The Boston Sea Rovers are proud to host the first annual Configuration
Contest. The idea of this contest is to promote safer diving by encouraging
divers to explore and display new and different gear styles and configurations,
alternative equipment, and radical designs. If you have something different
that works well for you (ideas, equipment, methods of gear configuration,
etc.), you are invited to bring in your equipment and share it with others (and
have a chance to win some great prizes). Individuals are further encouraged to
bring any and all other gear that they use that is unique, or of interest, to
show attendees, and judges.
THREE CATEGORIES: This contest has three categories for entries. The general
categories are listed here (see Judging Criteria 1 for further details).
1. Open water, environmentally conscious diver
single tank, and/or pony bottle
2. Overhead environment, "technical diver"
doubles, with stage bottles, etc.
* Overhead environment is defined as real (ice, cave, wreck) or
virtual (deep, decompression obligation).
3. Auxiliary Equipment
This category covers any and all equipment used by a diver, including:
stage bottle(s); Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs); Wreck diving
tool bag; Photo/Video equipment and/or any other customized piece
of diving equipment that you have developed.
RULES: This contest is open to all individuals with an interest in diving and
diving equipment. Entrants must define the category and state the intended
primary purpose of the gear submitted (see Judging Criteria 2 for further
details). Contest will be held on Sunday, March 3, 1996 at the Copley Plaza
Hotel in Boston, MA . The Directors Room, on the first floor, will be set aside
specifically for this contest and a Sea Rover representative will be on hand
throughout the entire day to answer questions and provide security. The Sea
Rovers are not responsible for damage or loss of any equipment. Contestants may
start setting up gear at 9:30 AM. Judging will be conducted on Sunday, at 2 PM.
There is no entry fee, nor limit to individual entries - we encourage you to
share all your ideas with other divers at the show. Entries will be accepted by
mail but the entrant must pay all shipping charges both to and from the show.
All entrants must fill out a configuration application..
THE RULES:
Each set of gear will be judged in ten (10) categories, based on a
scale of 0 to 5, as defined below:
5 - Perfect
4 - Excellent
3 - Meets all basic requirements ( is average)
2 - Not up to par
1 - Well below average
0 - Fails to meet minimum standard
The 10 criteria are:
1. GEAR: Minimum gear requirements have been defined for each of the categories
listed below.
1A. Single Tank Category (may be with or without redundant air
source):
MUST HAVE: BCD, Regulator with SPG, Alternate Air Source,
Auto-Inflator, Depth Indicator, Timing Device.
1B. Double Tank Category (may be independent doubles, manifold with
pony, isolation manifold...):
MUST HAVE: 2 tanks, BCD, 2 regulators (both 1st & 2nd stages) with
auto-inflator, SPG, Depth Indicator, Timing Device, and also a minimum
of 2 lights, 1 reel, 1 lift bag, and 2 cutting tools (knife, etc.).
1C. All auxiliary equipment entries will not be graded in this
category.
Grading for 1A and 1B will be either a 0 (not all complete) or 5 (all
complete). 1C will receive a 5.
2. SUITABLE FOR STATED PURPOSE? Will the rig benefit the diver for the task at
hand? As an example, equipment intended for use in caves must meet different
parameters than wreck diving gear. We do not limit applicants, or their
objectives, but rather are interested in judging the ability of the gear to
meet the divers requirements.
3. REDUNDANCY: Does the diver address back-up air supplies, lights, emergency
ascent methods, etc. as required for the stated purpose? Note that too much
redundancy can be just as deficient as not enough.
4. ACCESSIBILITY - How readily available is the gear to a diver, or a buddy,
during an emergency when time is critical. Can the gear be obtained in poor
visibility, cold water, when narcosis may be present, or when the diver is
wearing mitts?
5. STREAMLINING - How is the location and placement of every piece of gear
been carefully considered and well thought out? What is the risk, or likelihood
of entanglement of that gear,
while the diver is in any orientation underwater?
6. SIMPLICITY - Is the system simple and well-designed for the intended use,
without unnecessary clutter?
7. INGENUITY AND UNIQUENESS - Has the diver developed a unique solution to a
particular gear problem? Has the diver modified, created, or designed a piece
of equipment that will change the way we dive?
8. SAFETY - Will the system increase the risk of injury during a dive? Has the
diver's safety been significantly improved by the modifications and/or
additions to the gear?
9. FUNCTION & COMFORT - Would the dive be enjoyable and productive with the
system? Does it appear that the gear may be uncomfortable to use throughout an
extended dive, or when worn to or from the dive site, out of the water?
10. OVERALL APPEARANCE - Is the gear aesthetically pleasing? This is not
intended to award points for new vs. old, or used gear, but rather to answer
the question "How does the whole entry look"?
For more information about the contest or the Dive Show you can call the Sea
Rovers
Info line (617) 424-9899, you can look up the Sea Rovers Home Page at
http://www.strokeofcolor.com/searovers/ , or you can email
WVANDERCLOCK@BE*.ED*
Navigate by Author:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Subject Search Index]
[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]
[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]