manufacturer BCD component Text & photos by Andrey Bizyukin, PhD Editted by Peter Symes DIVE SYSTEM of Italy Made to Measure Dive System BCD

Beautifully located on the Dive System is owned and two finally decided to start their colleagues to be testers for the outer abrasion layers. Their coast of the Ligurian Sea, managed by founders Paolo outright production of their own and give feedback on the Pure Kevlar is a very strong drysuits are Zazzeri and Gioia Ancillotti. Both equipment. The year was 1997, prototypes. Their innovations but rigid material that is manufactured to and just opposite Elba Island, have been attracted by the sea and Dive System, the brand, were well received by the diving traditionally used for flak jackets meet and exceed the we find the Italian port of since childhood, so becoming was named. It has been in community, and business just and bulletproof vests. Therefore, highest requirements set forth by Follonica, with its busy side active divers and instructors as manufacture ever since. kept growing. Soon, Zazzeri and the fabrics used in Dive System the skeptical streets, many small seafood adults was hardly a surprising All Zazzeri and Ancillotti’s dive Ancillotti were able to hire their BCD’s and dry suits contains community. The flagship product career move. In fact, Zazzeri, industry colleagues and close first employee. around 25 percent Kevlar of the company’s drysuit line is a restaurants and religious being a regular participant connections, who were also fibers to make the fabric soft thin compressed processions on holidays. in spear fishing (underwater high ranking course directors Strategy: Innovation and pliable enough for these neoprene drysuit Not much, if anything, hunting) competitions, once and such in PADI, TDI, NAUI, SSI, Having studied the products uses while still making the with protective gives away that this port won third place in the Italian PSI and CEDIP, for the most part and quality of their competition, equipment ten times more Kevlar championships. unanimously recommended the it was clear to Zazzeri and resistant to abrasion than covering. town is also the hot spot The pair opened a two to focus on what was then Ancillotti that in order to take equipment made with The for in Italy. and dive shop that became seen as the future of diving or at scuba equipment manufacture any other material, such Follonica is the home of Dive well known among the least a growth sector—technical to the next level, it was as Cordura, Duratex or city residents. It was diving and equipment made necessary to be innovative Supratex. System, one of the new rising out of the daily work specifically for this field. and come up with original stars in dive manufacturing. at the dive center that ideas as well as employing Drysuits a desire to improve First production the latest technologies in the The top product line of the and make dive The manufacture had its humble manufacturing process. company is the equipment more beginnings in a small workshop Dive System made contact line, which Dive System comfortable where the pair designed, cut, with the Dupont company and makes for all types grew, until sewed and glued their original started using Kevlar as one of of technical one day, the designs. They then asked the strongest materials available diving.

Dive System worker cuts Co-founder Gioia Ancillotti out pattern pieces for at work at Dive System the semi-drysuit 72 X-RAY MAG : 10 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF FOLLONICA manufacturer

Aerial view of the city of Follonica Dive System BCD

material is unique and made to of 1.5 and 3.5 mm in various parts . more order exclusively for Dive System. of the suit. The company has made On the contrary, Zazzeri and highlight One of Dive System’s no compromises when it comes to Ancillotti were intent on thinking from Dive renowned drysuit models quality, and it lends its design ideas to outside the box in this area as well System is the CAVE, made from the recommendations made by some and came up with something novel is the 3.5 mm compressed of the most authoritative participants that would revolutionize the concept wing type neoprene with an of underwater works and experts of semi-dry suits. Again, they applied BCDs for especially strong in long duration and technically a new material—a special soft rubber technical and reliable complex deep-water dives. not unlike neoprene but made for diving. All Kevlar made All Dive system suits come with high . At a depth of 90 their BCDs are specifically for separate boots attached with velcro. meters, the material is compressed by modular with . The boots have rigid soles and are only 14 percent. the option of Jim Bowden, the comfortable when diving with fins or This material is then covered, not exchanging deepest cave walking across a beach with sharp by cheap plush, but by fashionable wings. in the world, rocks. multi-coloured lycra, which is elastic BCD range has dives in such a suit. in all directions. Imagine the classic been one of Another model, the Undergarments lycra suit and think of how flexible it the company’s SOLO, is made in one Dive System is also the maker of is, then add the unique quality seals, biggest commercial and a half millimeter thin undergarments, which are both very some more mobility and comfort successes and have compressed neoprene thick and light at the same time. The and the fact that it is practically been favoured by with Kevlar covering and undergarmenst are made out of incompressible at any depth. Now, beginners, experienced comes with a front zipper three layers with Windex on top. The you’ve got a suit that lasts and lasts. deep divers and cave for the convenience insulation properties of these good- But a good suit is not only about explorers alike. of those who prefer looking garments are the equivalent using quality materials; the product’s The MOD BCD comes with an to be able to zip their of 200 Thinsulate, which means they service life is also defined by the glue universal harness, always with stainless suits themselves. Dive will keep you comfortably warm for that keeps the pieces of materials steel D-rings, detachable pockets and System’s SOLO is a serious hours of diving in water together, and each company has a steel or titanium back plate with alternative to DUI’s suits, of only 5 degrees. their own closely adapter for one cylinder or twin pressing their American guarded tanks. counterparts on both Wetsuits secret when The 3К BCD stands out quality and price. Dive System products are it comes in all its simplicity. It The EXP dry suit line, characterized by the use of the latest to glues, is an European which is also made with technology everywhere. Not even in explains continuation a Kevlar combination, is the manufacturing of the low prestige Zazzeri. of equipment a product line created semi-dry suits have Zazzeri and especially for commercial Ancillotti gone the traditional way. Wing divers and comes with a They didn’t want to be yet another BCDs varied material thickness “boring” manufacturer of anonymous One

Dive System drysuit Dive System BCD New lid fixture 73 X-RAY MAG : 10 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED manufacturer Dive System wings

Dive System regulator

Dive System uses a strong and flexible neoprene-like rubber in their semi-drysuits

manufacatured according to the DIR sport divers want to have and use no time. principle (Doing It Right) favoured by so equipment like the “technicals” or at least Excited, we donned many cave divers. something that resembles the equipment completely new suits and Also worth a mention, is the TEKKY and used by technical divers. went into the water along REC.TEK BCD—modular systems with soft Thus, a new breed of divers appeared the rocky shoreline. The dive harnesses, lots of steel D-rings and the on the scene—“semi technical divers”— took us past a vertical slope and integrated pockets. It is possible to the people, which by appearance seem we enjoyed the rich fish life that is use one or two bladder wings made from to be technical divers, but really weren’t. so characteristic of this part of the cordura or kevlar with these BCDs. It became prestigious for the average Mediterranean. All inflators are fitted with a steel cord diver to look like a deep sea explorer. You A school of barracudas swam inside, which considerably increases probably have one or two of your dive close to examine us before two small their durability and reliability. The buddies who belong to this category. sharks frightened them off and they material, volume and colour of the BCDs Especially for these folks, Dive System disappeared into the blue haze. Dive System BCD can be custom made to order in any developed the NET BCD. It is mounted We had a fabulous dive that took combination. with a new Japanese inflator and comes us down to more than 40 meters to The BCD bladders also deserve special with most of the external attributes of the explore a cave. mention. Previously, bladders were technical BCD even though it has really Our impressions? First, we felt very welded from Cordura, so they were been developed and adapted for normal comfortable at any depth in our 5mm resistant to abrasion and couldn’t be non- dives. semi-dry suits and did not feel cold punctured, i.e. by sharp metal objects of even after an hour and a quarter in a wreck. The problem with Cordura is that Testing water of just 13º C. Secondly, the suits it lacks the necessary elasticity for the Every time Zazzeri and Ancillotti design were very close to being neutrally job and would leave at least a liter of air new equipment, they always send it buoyant. Our BCDs allowed us to in a BCD that should be empty. A diver for testing by various dive-centers. The remain motionless in any pose: on the was therefore required to use additional tests are conducted very rigidly, and it is back, on any one side or even upside to compensate for this extra not necessarily done in a season. After down—with absolute ease. We positive . testing, the experimental equipment enjoyed both the dive and this new Consequently, a completely new comes back to the company for service, equipment very much. Experience was required and a new material study and analysis. All the information says that the two usually go hand in with properties far surpassing the older and experience gathered are then taken hand. ones was developed. All BCD bladders into account and incorporated into from Dive System are now made with this perfecting the design for next season’s Success on the market new material. It is a very dense yet soft testing. Only after thorough testing will Making courageous and innovative and elastic thermoplastic, which cannot any new equipment enter production. decisions has brought the company Deep cave diver, Jim Bowden, uses Dive System be pierced by sharp objects. Needless to say, we did not pass up its well deserved success. Enthusiastic the opportunity to try out Dive System’s responses to Dive System equipment what sets his company apart: Dive System BCD Slaves to fashion equipment in open water when we comes in from everywhere in the world, “We are leading the Italian market Today’s fashion trends in diving seem to were given the offer. A high powered and their popularity seems to be growing in manufacture of technical BCDs and be very much influenced by technical speedboat whisked us over to the island steadily. drysuits from compressed neoprene with diving. The result is that more and more of Elba and the harbour of Porto Azurro in We asked Zazzeri to tell us his opinion of Kevlar covering and semi dry suits with

74 X-RAY MAG : 10 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED DEMA Show 2006 website manufacturer Dive System Lift Bag has now gone LIVE!

Get comprehensive informa- event in the world for companies tion on DEMA’s 2006 show at doing business in the click of a mouse. With a the , Elba Island bright, new look, the easy-to- ocean sports and navigate website for DEMA adventure/dive travel industries. Show 2006 has been launched ourselves, so the More than 600 quality of our at www.DEMAShow.com exhibitors from product relies around the world solely upon us. Providing vital information about the and thousands of “In addition, upcoming DEMA Show 2006 taking dive and travel we have place November 8-11, 2006, in Orlando, industry profession- successful Florida, the DEMA Show website is an als are expected designs, patterns invaluable resource for all exhibitors and to gather at this and new attendees. The site currently features year’s show, which will offer the most materials. We everything from show registration guide- extensive educational program in the are constantly underwater equipment. It will be a lines and a downloadable floor plan to industry. experimenting new factory of 4500 square information on sponsorship opportuni- and researching. meters. It will be the ties, access to the Exhibitor Resource Trade only We are future of technical Center and a link to the official web- DEMA Show 2006 is a trade event open confident that diving. site for the Orlando/Orange County only to industry professionals and is we produce For more Convention & Visitors Bureau to help produced by the & lycra. All these represents original good and really safe equipment for information, visit: exhibitors and attendees plan their trip. Marketing Association (DEMA), and designs, development and patents any diver. However, trading them www.divesystem. managed on its behalf by National by Dive System. In the near future, we should be left only to the experts with com ■ Next Trade Productions, Inc. (NTP). DEMA is plan to expand the assortment and to an understanding of all the subtleties In the coming months, hotel informa- an international organization dedicated increase the volume of manufacture. of diving. tion will be posted to the site and show to the promotion and growth of the Our strengths are having a flexible “In these factors, lies our strength participants will be able to book their recreational scuba diving and snor- manufacture and our quality. The and guarantee of success. Technical rooms online. In additional, informa- keling industry. With more than 1,200 technical diver of today is highly diving is the trend of the time. It is tion on show features like the DEMA members, this non-profit, global organi- individual and every one of them necessary to understand this and to Retailer Resource Center, DEMA Awards zation promotes scuba diving through believes that just his equipment and have a feel for its features and the Party and Silent Auction, a schedule of many initiatives including consumer his dive configuration is unique and essential needs of the market,” said DEMA-sponsored and exhibitor-spon- awareness programs, media cam- correct and that he has unique way Zazzeri. sored seminars and dive training and paigns and sponsorship of the DEMA to do unique diving. Certainly, it is very certification organization presentations Show. difficult to make equipment personal Evolution of technical diving continues. and events will be added to the site. for every such person, but it is possible To meet progress in the field, all Dive The site will continue to be updated More info to try to find common ground and System employees get to work already throughout the year, so check back fre- For more information on DEMA call make equipment that satisfies all these around seven o’clock in the morning. quently for updated information. 858-616-6408 or visit www.dema.org. individual requirements. It is in this place where the best Italian For more information about DEMA “For example, if we are producing equipment for technical diving is born. Media Show 2006 visit: www.demashow.com. a piece of equipment in exactly the Everyday, Dive System becomes more For the media interested in obtain- Companies that would like to exhibit at the right size, in the best quality, with and more popular among technical ing information on the show, all press Show can contact Christine von Steiger at trouble-free serviceability, it must still divers all over the world. The company releases written and distributed on the 1-800-687-7469 x 207 (U.S. only), 703-706-8207 be marketed at a reasonable price. has grown so much that the time show will be posted and archived in or [email protected] The main principle of our company is has come to expand manufacture the online press room. Media wishing To find out about sponsorship opportu- to put all our resources into our own and build a new factory adapted to attend the show will find a printable nities, contact Tom Markusson at 1-800- manufacturing. We do everything for the highest level of technological Media Registration form as well. 687-7469 x 206 (U.S. only), 703-706-8206 or Continuing to be the largest trade [email protected] Co-founder, Paolo Zazzeri 75 X-RAY MAG : 10 : 2006 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED