There’s a pretty wide gap between swimming around in simple snorkel gear and the sophisticated equipment of scuba diving that requires bulky equipment and costly certification. There are some surface-suppled diving systems, which are the only in between, where a user wears a breathing hose attached to an air compressor above water. Such systems enable the person to dive deeper than with a snorkel minus the complications of scuba. However, there is a time limit, and it requires a power source. That’s why an Australian start-up called EXOlung, by Jörg Tragatschnig, designed a new device that only requires the user to swim for air.
The EXOlung underwater breathing apparatus opens up the world of shallow-water diving for those who dive for business or pleasure. It uses the divers swimming motions to pump air from the surface (through a tube) into an air tank strapped to their chest. The apparatus allows for dives up to 5 meters in depth with a pro version reaching 7 meters. The best part is since it’s not powered by a machine that requires batteries or an air tank that has only a certain amount of oxygen in it, the user can stay in the underwater world as long as they want!
EXOlung won the ISPO competition 2020. Here’s what the jury had to say about it:
I love being underwater. For me, EXOlung really pushes the boundaries. In the future, everyone will be able to stay underwater as long as they want. This enhances the underwater experience – with no need for a diving license or complicated equipment. For many water sports fans, this is an absolute dream come true.
How It Works
- The EXOlung has a buoy that floats on the surface of the water, as do all surface-supplied diving systems.
- The buoy serves as an air intake and a safety restraint.
- A long hose connects the buoy to a hardshell water bell (air tank) worn on the front of the torso.
- The bell is composed of a collapsible water bladder and space.
- The bladder is attached to leg straps secured around the user’s feet.
- Extending the legs draws air down from the surface while retracting the legs causes water pressure to pull the air into the bell to be inhaled effortlessly.
The device is very light (no heavy equipment involved) and compact (portable). The entire system weighs only 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) and packs down into a 16x12x8 inch (40x30x20 cm) package. It’s simple to use and simple to transport. It doesn’t involve any additional costs, such as oxygen refilling. It’s practically maintenance-free apart from cleaning it after use. Last but not least, it’s affordable!
The company suggests it can even be used in a swimming pool for training or underwater yoga and gymnastics. A divers certification is not needed, but basic knowledge of compressed air diving is, which is very easy to learn.
