Scuba Diving – Are those “special” Scuba Diving masks a waste of money?

I was doing some research to find out what is new on the market of scuba diving masks and I found some interesting offerings:

HydroOptix LLC a company based in Culver City, California developed an innovative product line, the HydroOptix Diving Masks. According to their web site their masks offer panoramic views allowing the scuba diver 350% more “visual space” than using conventional flat scuba diving masks. Their lenses technology provides true distance, size and shape under the water. As you may be aware when using traditional flat scuba diving masks underwater you will see things closer and larger.

Ocean Reef Masks manufactured by Ocean Reef Inc., headquartered in Genova, Italy. These masks, in my opinion, are the best products for serious scuba divers right now. The best example that shows all the technology developed by Ocean Reef in one single product is the Neptune Space Raptor. This is a nitrox compatible scuba diving mask that can also be used with conventional air. This model comes with an integrated regulator and offers an excellent visual field. According to the manufacturer web site this product is made of premium grade silicone rubber and a durable scratch resistant visor. In a past post I mentioned their underwater communication system; I am sure these gadgets will take your diving experience to the next level.

For me, the perfect product will be a combination of these two technologies the “true vision” lenses offered by HydroOptix used in the Neptune Space Raptor scuba diving mask!

To answer my own question (Are those “special” Scuba Diving masks a waste of money?): I don’t think so. I think that as scuba divers, we should take advantage of the developments in products and technologies to improve and enhance our underwater experience.

All the brands, names and images used for this article are the property of their respective owners.

Aquaculture: potential business opportunity for divers

Love underwater sports, constant contact with marine or fresh water environment? Maybe Aquaculture is your next big business.

The broad term "aquaculture" refers to the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments, including ponds, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Similar to agriculture, aquaculture can take place in the natural environment or in a manmade environment. Using aquaculture techniques and technologies, researchers and the aquaculture industry are "growing," "producing," "culturing," and "farming" all types of freshwater and marine species.

More specifically, marine aquaculture refers to the culturing of marine species, while freshwater aquaculture focuses on the culturing of freshwater species. For example, marine aquaculture production includes oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, and salmon, while freshwater aquaculture operations produce trout, catfish, and tilapia.

With respect to marine aquaculture, the major technological barriers are:

• Finding suitable sites in coastal areas, where aquaculture must compete with many other coastal uses;


• Clarifying the regulatory and environmental requirements for existing as well as new marine aquaculture operations, including offshore (federal waters); and


• Developing technologies and best management practices to ensure that various types of production systems are compatible with marine ecosystems.

It can be extremely expensive to start a business like this in the US, that’s why everyday global entrepreneurs evaluate also established markets like Peru or Ecuador. For example, Peru has a good variety of exportable offers in the Seafood and Aquaculture business: http://www.prompex.gob.pe/catalog/empresa1.asp?idsector=1 from scallops to tilapia.

Remember that always is a good idea to assess your ideas or business ventures with a complete business plan. It will cost you time, not money.