H2Andy:Trash, could you (in English) explain to me what this device does?
(not how or why, but what it does)
Hi Andy, sure.
I think the first version will be an add-on for divers who currently own a stab or wing BCD. However, I'll talk about an integrated version for new buyers.
The integrated version would have a bladder jacket and tray as per usual, and one (or two) of my adjustable air chambers mounted besides the tank. A modified 'Air-2' style inflator supplies ambient pressure air for the backup (octo) mouthpiece, the adjustable air chamber, and drysuit air hose connector. It also includes a power and oral inflator for the stab-jacket. (Please don't post on how much Air-2 and stab-jackets suck.) Many variations are also possible.
In operation, once you have adjusted your weights to be slightly negative with an empty bladder (the BCD I mean), empty air chamber, and 500 psi in your tank, you dive as follows:
- prior to entering the water you inflate the bladder and adjust the air chamber for max buoyancy. Enter
- with reg in mouth you dump the entire bladder contents of air and then you will tend to become horizontal from the buoyancy in the full air chamber.
- you slide the adjustment knob down until you become negative and begin to sink.
- if you don't use a foam rubber suit, your descent is constant and you can stop and adjust for neutal with a single change to the air chamber.
- multi-level diving does not requirer any adjustments because your air volume is constant in your lungs, mask, air chamber and empty bladder.
- to surface you adjust for positive bouyancy and then ascend at a safe and constant rate from the bottom to the top because the expanding air leaves through the check-valves.
- on the surface you inflate your bladder.
Even with a foam wetsuit or drysuit you will adjust less than with a regular bladder because the air volume you need to become neutral underwater is not subject to change by the affects of pressure. Uncontrolled buoyant ascents wouldn't happen without droping your weights; if you over adjust and start to ascend the ascent will be constant. If you add too much air under a ledge and become trapped in a slightly head-down fashion you just adjust for less bouyancy and sink away from the ledge. If a bladder based BCD traps air above the dump valve you got some work to do.
I know the good divers out there have 'no problem' with buoyancy control, I'm just saying they could have less. tr