Watershot

Introduction:

No matter what level of scuba diving experience you have - the thrill never ends. This is largely due to the combination of forever varying dive experiences and the social activities associated with diving. Whether its a conversation during your first dive course, after each dive, at an information evening or between buddies you often hear of a dive experience that you would like to have. During such conversations it is common for divers, like myself, to show photos of each experience on their smart phones. This is because photographs are a fantastic way to capture memories and best illustrate your experience to a fellow diver.

So, the question that faces many is 'which underwater camera is right for me?'. As a diver who enjoys showing others his diving photos, I understand the complexity of this question. Watershot have created one of the more recent underwater camera options and it is one worth considering. Watershot have created an underwater housing to suit any iPhone 4, 4s and 5. Depending on the model you purchase Watershot's housing allows you to take your iPhone up to 60 meters deep and use it as a photo and video camera. But, in combination with this housing, how good is an iPhone as an underwater camera? I was determined to find out. 

The Watershot Range:

Watershot design and manufacture underwater housings for iPhones. Their range include iPhone 4, 4s and 5 housings, specialist lenses, filters, mounts and grips. Below are some housings from their extensive range. 

To view more of their range please visit: Online Shop

Below is an outline of our trial and what we thought of the product.

The Watershot Experience:

To use the Watershot housing, you need to download a custom-made iPhone application called 'Watershot'. This application customizes the phone's screen-layout so that it is compatible with the location of the housing's external buttons. This includes locating the Watershot application's icon on the far right of your iPhone's bottom tray. It is important to also disable the auto-locking function - to prevent the phone from locking its display underwater.

For this trial, I decided to test the cornerstone of Watershot's range the iPhone5 Pro. The product comes complete with the housing, super-wide angle lens, aspherical lens, moisture absorbents, wrist strap and instructions. I also decided to put the red and magenta filters to the test.

According to the instructions - I tested the product by placing tissue paper in the housing and submerging it for a number of minutes. Once I removed the product from the water and opened the housing the tissue paper was still dry, indicating that there are no leaks. I then inserted my iPhone5 to take some practice shots. The iPhone responded well to every button press indicating to me that the housing and iPhone work well together.

I decided to conduct the trial at one of my favorite local dive spots, 9 Mile. As we approached the dive site I prepped my iPhone by disabling the auto-lock and arranging the app icons. I placed the iPhone into the Watershot housing and clicked the housing's latch shut. I configured the iPhone's housing with a wide-angle lens and no filter. We all entered the water. 

I took a series of photos and videos switching between modes and trying to take photographs both from a distance and up-close. Below are some of the photos and videos taken on the day. 

As you can tell from these photos the quality is good. I make use of a number of underwater cameras for different applications. This is largely due to the specialization in each. I can demonstrate this by using my Sealife DC1400 camera as an example. The DC1400 camera takes great underwater macro photographs. The detail and quality is really good for a compact camera in an underwater housing - especially in its price bracket. However, the moment you use the DC1400 for video or long distance photographs the quality and performance drops right off. The DC1400 will focus on the first thing it can and continue to focus at this distance - this includes floating sediment in the water between you and the key subject. This is unknown to you as the camera man until you view the photographs or video on a computer screen. As you can see from these photos - the iPhone's camera does a good job at adjusting its focus to suit the main subject in the field of view. This is a fantastic feature for those with little experience in taking underwater photos. 

I was surprised at the ability of the iPhone as an underwater camera. Switching between playback, video and photo modes was quick and simple. The housing and application worked well together with no errors. However, the product trial was cut short. By the time I had reached the first dive site for the day I had already used 20% of my iPhone's battery power. Despite activating airplane mode it was only 40 minutes into the dive that my iPhone displayed a prompt, indicating that there was only 20% battery life left. Once this prompt was displayed I was unable to press the dismiss button. By the time we finished our dive and were ready for the next one my iPhone had used up its complete battery. 

Dive Flag App's Overall Review:

The product was easy to set up and use. The product is self explanatory and has simple settings. The underwater housing is exceptionally easy to maintain. I have outline a number of advantages and disadvantages to using the housing and iPhone as an underwater camera below.

Advantages of using the Watershot product:

• The housing is affordable.
• The housing is very robust and unlikely to break easily.
• Lens attachments allows for increased flexibility and room to upgrade as you want to experience the various attachments.
• Whilst the housings are rated to up-to 40 / 60 meters they are actually testing to between 5 or 10 meters further making them reliable. 
• Watershot housings have a perfect track record with no failures. 
• Watershot housing appear to receive outstanding ratings from users worldwide. 

Advantages to using the iPhone as an underwater camera:

• Excellent auto focus
• Reasonable auto colour correction at shallow depths
• The fantastic ingenuity of the housing allows you to make use of the reverse camera for underwater selfies.
• The camera looks passed most of the floating plankton and sediment to focus on the more interesting subjects
• Taking the photos on your smart phone allows you to quickly upload your photos directly to Dive Flag App

Disadvantages to using the iPhone as an underwater camera:

• The iPhone's camera is only 8MP
• If you lose the unit underwater you will lose more than just your underwater camera
• iPhones quite often have battery problems. If yours does, we recommend having the battery replaced to ensure you can enjoy your new underwater camera and housing for longer. 
• A single button is used to switch between video and photo modes. You have to remember which mode it is in or you will continually need to check.
• You cannot dismiss a 'low battery' prompt whilst the iPhone is within the housing.
• You have to configure the iPhone properly before entering the water otherwise you may not be able to use the unit during your dive. 

Over score: 8.5/10

The Watershot and iPhone work very well together. The unit was very easy to set-up and intuitive to use. The unit allows you to easily capture fun and happy moments with the ability to quickly share them with your family and friends. We are ecstatic to be welcomed as distributors of the units and welcome you to view the product on our online shop.

If you would like more information regarding this experience or the product, please feel free to contact myself (info@diveflagapp.com). I would be more than willing to answer your questions. 

Frank Vorster

Owner

Dive Flag App

info@diveflagapp.com 

+61 420 222 139

Poseidon Rebreather Trial

Introduction:

Poseidon claims that the MKVI provides the first true technological breakthrough for rebreathers in decades and is an absolute game changer. I was keen to find out why and so I attended a product trial day in Brisbane, Australia. Before having the opportunity to test the equipment we received a basic overview of rebreathers and how they work and so before reading our review, below is a brief summary of what a rebreather is.

What is a Re-breather:

Air comprises of approximately 20% oxygen. Once inhaled and exhaled the same air contains about 15% oxygen. About 5% of the volume of air inhaled and exhaled is converted from oxygen to carbon dioxide. With this in mind a rebreather, in scuba diving terms, is a breathing apparatus that recycles the unused oxygen content (remaining 15%) of each breath. It does this by adding oxygen only as required to replenish the amount metabolised by the diver. This differs from regular open-circuit breathing apparatus, where the exhaled gas is discharged directly into the environment. This can triple your dive time. There are a number of other benefits to making use of rebreather equipment, some of which are discussed below.

The Poseidon MKVI Re-breather:

The Poseidon MKVI is the world’s first rebreather for recreational divers. It’s a fully closed, fully automated unit that will make you see diving in a different light. Poseidon’s MKVI has 5 big advantages over traditional open circuit equipment:

• 3 hours typical dive time
• Safer and easier to use
• No decompression stops
• Warm breathing gas
• Silent operation 

Advantages of Poseidon MKVI over traditional rebreathers:

• The process of upgrading between the first two models is cheaper and easier. This simply requires that you upgrade your 'battery pack' which includes the chip. 
• Lighter and smaller.
• Safer and easier (completely automated).
• Simple toggle switch between open and closed circuit if required.

Our experience:

The product trial period began with a brief introduction to rebreathers and how they operate. During the introduction we were informed about the differing sensations one feels, between open and closed circuit systems. If you are a diver you would know that a strange sensation or abnormal feeling can quite often lead to increased anxiety levels. These were three very important tips that ensured we remained relaxed and having fun.

• Your breathing will not influence your buoyancy.
• You hear sounds you usually would not, as rebreathers are silent.
• Occasionally we will hear oxygen being pumped into the system and this may affect your buoyancy. You can compensate for this by exhaling through your nose or using your dumping valve.

The equipment was set up and ready to go before our arrival. These rebreathers take approximately 15 minutes to set up – which is not a lot of time, considering an open circuit system takes 5-6 minutes. Despite the equipment being completely self-checking we were shown how to test the equipment and instructed how to interpret the dive computer. The product trial took place in a heated pool for 50 minutes.

Advantages to making use of a rebreather:

• Silent and with little to no bubbles (especially good for getting close to marine life).
• Longer dive times
• Less to no chance of decompression illness
• The gas is not dry keeping you warmer in winter
• The gas is moist, so less dehydration

Disadvantages to making use of rebreathers:

• Sometimes expensive to buy 
• High degree of maintenance/preparation & cleaning work
• Slightly more in-water drag
• Most dive boats/facilities are not geared up for rebreathers
• As they are not common place, servicing can be difficult

Dive Flag App's Over Review:

When trailing equipment pertinent to your safety, it is important to do so in a pool or in a very controlled environment. This is to ensure you are comfortable and not putting yourself at risk. We recommend that you  attend this sort of trial day, because they are interactive, informative and keep you up to date with product developments. As a diver you will have more of an idea about what you want in your equipment and your dive experience. Furthermore, having a knowledge about how other types of systems work will put you in a better position to help those, making use of these systems, in distress.

The Poseidon MKVI is more expensive than an open circuit system. Although the price may appear to be high, the advantages to making use of this type of system help to justify it. Not having to worry about decompression times, gas levels or dive times is a luxury many wish they had. Furthermore, if you are an aspiring underwater photographer like myself it is often necessary to get close to marine life. Trial and error shows that marine life do not respond well to bubbles or noise and so making use of a rebreather will give you an added advantage. 

Overall, rebreathers are exciting and provide for an improved diving experience. The Poseidon MKVI was simple to understand, easy-to-use and comfortable. I highly recommend the Poseidon MKVI. SSI have provided for complete diver training from OW to Instructor making use of rebreathers. I believe this is a fantastic advancement in the industry and I am excited to see where this is headed. Huge thanks to Brisbane Snorkel Safari and Poseidon. 

Over score: 10/10

If you would like more information regarding this experience or the product, please feel free to contact myself or Brisbane Snorkel Safari. We would be more than willing to answer your questions. Furthermore, you may wish to book in for a trial and see just how fantastic rebreathers can be. 

Best regards,

Frank Vorster
Dive Flag App
Owner

info@diveflagapp.com 

+61 420 222 139

Ocean Care Solutions Product Review

Ocean Care Solutions

Product Review - Jellyfish Sting Relief Solution

About Ocean Care Solutions

Ocean Care Solutions' (OCS) first aid products were developed by Kevin, a certified scuba diver. Kevin noticed that there was no convenient, proven medically effective, first aid products for stings from the Lionfish, the Man of War, the Sea Urchin, the Stingray, Fire Coral and Jellyfish. For two years Kevin consulted with international marine science and emergency medical communities to develop what they refer to as 'the definitive Gold Standard' for sea sting injuries. All OCS's products have been developed without the reliance of myths, home remedies or guesswork.

Ron at OCS got in contact with Dive Flag App in a hope to have their product reviewed and publicized to Scuba Divers around the world. After initial discussions OCS sent us, here at Dive Flag App, a package containing a few hundred samples to test and distribute to other Dive Flag App members.  Today we had the opportunity to test their most 'popular' product the Jellyfish Sting Relief Solution (JSR Solution). This was a timely arrangement as Australia is currently experiencing an outbreak of jellyfish including the Blue Blubber Jellyfish (common name). 

Product Description - Jellyfish Sting Relief Solution

OCS's JSR Solution was developed to neutralize the stinging cells of jellyfish. The solution suspends any remaining pain causing nematocysts (stinging cells) from firing.  The directions of use are as follows: 

1.  Rinse the injury with salt water only, 
2.  Shake the spray and simultaneously press down on the top to pump the solution, 
3.  Apply the safe JSR Solution for 3-5 minutes, and then
4.  Simply scrape away the pain.  Re-apply if necessary. 

The application of the JSR solution is to 'de-activate' the jellyfish stinging cells. For the best results it is recommended that you apply the JSR Solution as soon as possible after having been stung. Delay in the use of this product limits effectiveness.

The JSR Solution comes in a small and convenient spray bottle made with medically recommended 5% acetic acid for the best results. 

Product Trial

Dive Flag App were naturally skeptical about the effectiveness of OCS's JSR Solution and so we decided to test the product out. Before reading further it is important to note that Dive Flag App did so under the supervision of trained emergency personnel and in no way is Dive Flag App suggesting that other members perform the following test. 

Frank Vorster located two Blue Blubber Jellyfish in the Gold Coast Seaway, Queensland, Australia. He proceeded to sting himself in two 'similar' locations by lightly pressing up against the tentacles of the two jellyfish as they floated by. To one location he applied the JSR Solution and to the other he applied nothing. Eager to test the product out - others part-took in the experiment too.

Observations 

1. Within one minute, the stinging sensation on the hand with the JSR Solution started to subside whilst the second location's continued to intensify as more stinging cells activated. 
2. After five minutes the stinging sensation on the location with the JSR Solution had all but faded completely, whilst the stinging sensation of the second location continued.
3. Frank wiped the location with the JSR Solution as directed. The location where he had applied the JSR Solution appeared unaffected. Whilst having  wiped off the second location in a similar fashion had only activated the remaining stinging cells, effectively reactivating the sting. 
4. For a further 25 minutes Frank felt the stinging sensation on the second location whilst the location where the JSR Solution was applied felt "like it was never stung".

Product Review

The JSR Solution performed as OCS had claimed. The product was easy to apply and immediately effective. The quality is guaranteed by OCS's Californian manufacturing facility. A single 1oz bottle can be used to relieve 4 stings and the 4oz bottle can relieve up to 12 stings. With a shelf life of over 2 years the product can be stored without concern.

• Price: 5/5
• Effectiveness: 5/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Product Recommendation: Don't get stung without it! Don't go diving without it!

Dive Flag App highly recommend that all beach going, water sport activists and especially scuba divers keep a bottle of the solution in their bag. The product is incredible effective and useful. 

Where to Buy the Product

Dive Flag App is so impressed with the effectiveness of the solution, we have worked out an arrangement with Ocean Care Solutions to become the exclusive distributor for these products. Dive Flag App is currently developing an on-line store where you can buy the product. If you would like a sample, to purchase some units for personal use or become a retailer for these products, simply email us for more information: info@diveflagapp.com .



Blessed Diving,



Dive Flag App
www.diveflagapp.com
info@diveflagapp.com
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