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This is the last I'll say on the subject, since I don't want to continue boring folks... I just want to point out that we've had jet airplanes for the last 50 years, and civilian single engine aircraft for longer than that. If the "evolution" of technology leads to an inevetable incorporation into civilian hands, then why don't we have private pilots all flying jets? The answer: They are far too technical, and require far too much training for the average joe pilot. Single prop airplanes work just fine, they let a basically trained pilot fly his dentist buddies to the next golf tournament. A jet, on the other hand, requires extensive training and maintenance. This means higher cost, plus smarter pilots (the only exception being John Travolta). Same thing with rebreathers v. open circuit. Why spend the money, and the time to get trained, when you can just throw on a tank, and jump in the water? Geo is right about physics - they won't change in 50 years, neither will the complexity of rebreathing systems. I think the major advances in "scuba" diving (i.e. recreational) during the next 50 years will be in the form of higher pressure tanks. I can see, 50 years from now, strapping on a tiny cylinder, filled to 10,000 psi, holding 100 cu. ft. of air, and having the whole dive monitored by an integrated computer. Sony will have a 5000 line resolution video camera the size of a walnut that you wear clipped to your mask, and you will glide along, powered by twin 5 hour burn-time scooters strapped to your ankles. Maybe by then Phil Nuytton will have finally come up with a recreational single atmosphere dive suit, and we can forget about deco. Sure, there'll be rebreathers too, but they will be every bit as complex as today. But then, I'll be in the grave, so who gives a damn what these whippersnappers will be diving with? Kevin HeyyDude
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