New double hose regulator is a plus for video

[wstarck 0]

U.S. Divers has just announced production of a new double hose regulator. (see http://www.aqualung.com/products/mistral.html ). As most divers today will have never used a double hose regulator it may be useful to note that they offer a decided advantage in videography. With a double hose reg exhalation bubbles do not jiggle one's head. This is a real advantage, especially in macro work.

 

With a double hose regulator it is also possible to use a plastic funnel, a piece of hose, and a diffuser to greatly reduce the fright effect of exhaust bubbles on marine life. This is achieved by using the inverted funnel over the reg to route the bubbles up about 10 feet of hose. The hose is held up by a small float and uses a sprinkler head to diffuse the bubbles, a bit like an aquarium air stone. The result is to greatly reduce the sudden and noisy blasts of bubbles and remove them to a point some distance above.

 

Properly set up this can be quite effective and is simple to do. With it one can have much of the advantage of a rebreather with respect to reduced disturbance but without the cost, riisks, and complexities of a rebreather.

[james 0]

Hi Walter, welcome to Wetpixel.

 

Do you have a diagram or a photo of the bubble difuser and hose? Sounds interesting.

 

Cheers

James Wiseman

[Drew 0]

I don't see too much benefit from this. Most wide exhaust 2nd stages do a good job of bubble interference. The only real benefit I see is a bit more angle when shooting up. But then again I don't shoot stills and I have an LCD screen to view from. Still though bubble interference is mostly a non-issue. And the added drag and bulk of this system doesn't suit me either.

[pmooney 6]

Hello Walter - Welcome to wetpixel from the tropical north.

 

I am looking forward to your workshops at Oztek, particularly your talk on the future of underwater digital imaging.

 

Have you dived the revamped "Mistral " ? Do the serations on the hoses still rub your ears ?

 

Peter Mooney

 

 

 

 

A brief bio of Dr Stark

 

 

 

 

Walter Starck is one of the pioneers in the scientific investigation of coral reefs. He grew up in the Florida Keys and received a PhD in marine science from the University of Miami in 1964. He has over 40 years worldwide experience in reef studies and his work has encompassed the discovery of much of the basic nature of reef biology. In this process over 100 species of fishes, which were new to science, were found as well as numerous, corals, shells, crustaceans and other new discoveries.  

 

 

In 1958, while still an undergraduate student Dr. Starck began what was to become a 10-year investigation of the fish fauna of Alligator reef in the Florida Keys.  

 

 

In 1964 he developed the optical dome port now used universally for wide-angle underwater photography. 

 

 

In 1968 he developed the Electrolung, the first electronically regulated, closed circuit, mixed gas scuba.  This was a quantum jump in diving technology and was employed in a variety of advanced military, commercial, and research diving operations in the 1970’s.  The U.S. Navy, Israeli Army Commandos, NASA, and the offshore oil industry were among its users.  With the Electrolung Dr. Starck began exploring the deep reefs beyond the frontiers of compressed air diving.

 

 

He has written over 50 articles and books.  Among them are articles in Sea Frontiers, Skin Diver Magazine, Australian Natural History, Penthouse and three stories forNational Geographic Magazine. He is now the editor of www.goldendolphin.com.

 

 

Dr. Starck has produced some 16 documentary films and videos. Most have involved marine exploration including extensive underwater photography.

[Alex_Mustard 0]

I have been asked to take one of these with me to Cayman next month to see what difference it makes when approaching fish for still photography. I'm not sure if it will since most photographers hold their breath (naughty, naughty, but we do) when doing this.

 

I have spoken briefly to some of the older photographers I know - who say they all noticed a negative differece when single hose regs were first introduced (and bubbles were no longer behind their head). SO maybe there is something in it.

 

 

Alex

 

p.s. I have been told that several old school photographers have already got them on order!

[craig 0]

It sure looks like odd construction. I'd like to see a 2nd stage with conventional design but with an exhaust hose that routes behind the head. You could them use it with any 1st stage. It's clear by the gratuitous extra hose that this rig uses a conventional 1st stage with only a mechanical mount added. Seems to me you'd hit the back of your head on it.

[Nick Hope 151]

Looks great to me. Can't wait to try one, especially with an elongated exhaust. So much of the stuff I shoot is up really close.

 

Anyone know how this is likely to priced in their range?

 

Is the mouthpiece setup basically like a rebreather, with one-way valves either side of the mouth, and the 2nd stage pressure reduction taking place behind the head?

 

Can a conventional octopus just be screwed into the first stage?

 

Would the sprinkler head with float work in a ripping downwards Similans current?

 

A sprinkler head and float 10 feet above the head is going to be a great attraction for sharks! They often check out the little weight on the bottom of my delayed-SMB line.

[Tom_Kline 141]

I have done informal experiments that convince me that at least some fish respond to ones bubbles. On a trip to Oz where there are many small fish in coral heads it was very obvious that they would withdraw as I approached. Upon stopping I noticed they would go in and out of the coral heads according to my breathing. I purposefully modified my breathing pattern and they changed their in and out pattern accordingly. I have seen UW footage where the fish were exhibiting a similar behavior. I could 'visualize' the breathing of the cameraman by watching the fish in the footage, which followed a normal breathing pattern.

I suspect just moving the exhaust to behind the head will be beneficial, especially with a 100mm and longer lens (still photography). The extension hose would probably be better - is this an old trick from the 1960's when 2-hose regs were popular?

Cheers!

Tom

[Giles 1]

I have used a variation on something like this a few years back .... like alex said most of us hold our breath ... not recomended by dive agencies but anyhoo ... i only remember bubble being behind me freaking me out ... made me feel like someone was always behind me. But thats exactly why old school guys will want them its what they are used to ... I think with something like this is pure preference nothing to do with benefits as they all have benefits and advantages ... its which you want to live with or which you are most used to that you go with.