RAD, what the hell?

[BigSwell]

I keep seeing manufactures posting junk about RAD and I'm seeing pictures of people wearing their tanks backwards with their first stage facing OUT, what the hell is going on? Seems like a jackass thing to do. Think about this, you are in a overhead environment like a swim-through, cave or wreck and WHAMO! You smack your first stage. It would seem to me the better option is to have it somewhat protected by facing forward... what am I missing is this backasswards new trend? Here is a picture Scubapro has up on their F8kbook page, seriously now... apparently this is what "RAD" is all about. PASS, I like diving the OG way, thanks anyway.
https://diveavelo.com/aveloSystem.html

467631358_18469906942031689_5056196261913495656_n.jpg

[rhwestfall]

WHAT THE HELL?

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, that very low single cam band at the hips doesn't seem very stable either, but what do I know....

[luis]

That is the Avelo Dive System. Notice there is no BC bladder. The tank is a different type of pressure vessel with a bladder inside the tank. Recreational Avelo Diver (RAD)

https://diveavelo.com/aveloSystem.html

It is a unique system and I can say that it is not for everyone. For one thing, it is probably very expensive.

IMHO, the buoyancy change capacity makes it only practical in warm water where the thermal protection (and buoyancy change) is minimal.

It has a very distant resemblance (in function) to the old DACOR Nautilus, but it is a lot more streamlined.

About the regulator being backwards, I don't see a need for that or why this diver would do that. I think that might have been a personal preference for this diver, not an Avelo specific trend. I see pictures of divers using it either way...


This system is not for me, but I always like learning more about stuff... There is some value to this system.

There is a lot more information on line and in ScubaBoard. I recommend learning more about it, it is an interesting system.

[Ron]

It weights 30 lbs less than traditional dive gear? That's a plus. Honestly if they refined this and it proves reliable, I'd give it a shot. Diving hasn't really made any significant advances, in my opinion, since the multi-gas dive computer became main stream. DEMA is a rehash of all the same tired crap. It's like the land that imagination forgot.

If this got refined into an even smaller, lighter, system, I'd dive it. Of course, because dinosaurs run diving, it's sold through dive shops like it's the 1960's lol. Nothing like spending 4 grand to have a guy with a high school education who smokes weed fix my super expensive stuff I bought that they won't let me service. I cannot wait for enough dive shops to go under that they finally figure out that business model hasn't worked in over 10 years. Just gotta wait for the boomers to finish dying off man.

The two things I'm really hoping for, if they are possibilities, are a modern scuba set that is simple and light like a vintage set, but without the limitations of a vintage set, and a zero buoyancy swing wet suit of some sort. Those are my two pipe dreams.

Dan Orr from DAN seems to like it. I've met him when I did the diving medical technician course. Good dude. I'll follow this and see what comes out of it.

I did SNUBA in Mexico with the wife. That was honestly pretty fun too. Leaving your rig floating on the surface was pretty nice. I'm all about trying new stuff and seeing how it does.

[BigSwell]

This whole RAD thing just seems like scuba kitsch to me; sometimes a mask, fins, and snorkel is best. Dan Orr is a solid dude, definitely a guy you want to invite to your backyard cook out, he's BTDT and has all t-shirts to prove it! And man does he have the real-deal stories... he's seen some wild stuff!
-Kevin

[SurfLung]

Very interesting... I see two big advantages over an inflatable BCD...
- Neither the air bladder nor the water bladder are compressible, so changes in depth won't change the water displacement/buoyancy control. You still have suit compression to deal with but from the descriptions, it sounds pretty easy to manage.

As much as I love my "Twin 38s", I've been diving a single 38 when diving our local lakes. Our depths are usually 12-16 feet along the weed line which is pretty constant so once the weights are dialed in we're neutral the whole time. AND, the single 38 at that depth lasts a good 30-40 minutes with the reserve valve giving another 5+ minutes. So, we're wearing this tank that weighs maybe 25 lbs, we're sleek and simple. And it is really pleasant.
- SO... if the RAD can dive like that I'm all for it!

[dhaas]

I've been following the Avelo system since its inception and even spoken at length with the inventor Aviad.

Dan Orr as some mentioned (he was my YMCA Instructor Trainer in 1978 in Dayton OH area) has done a lot of testing and sharing his experiences on internet forums. In Hawaii he dived in a 5mm wetsuit with practically no weight and Dan's a big guy!

Being vintage enthusiasts this COULD BE the closest you'll ever get to old school sport scuba. No BCD (the tank is your personal submarine vessel), an infinitely adjustable"JetPack" and streamlining like 1969 when many of us started.

As Luis said yeah, it ain't cheap.

Supposed retail price of the Hydrotank, JetPack and Pump, etc. maybe $3,750.00? It also isn't something you'll be flying somewhere with although some folks have. I believe working pressure for the tanks is 3350 or so.

I may take the class on Bonaire in the future as a couple folks on Scubaboard have done. After completing the 2 day course they then rented units on subsequent trips to Bonaire.

As to the regulator being reversed I am not sure why they recommend it and agree I wouldn't want my rig set that way. Looks like damage just waiting to be done!

Will it become mainstream in my lifetime (I turned 71 last month) ??? Not likely but centers at salt water dive locations worldwide might embrace it.

Would likely be a pricey dive week if you dive the Avelo system the whole time somewhere. But who knows what a majority of sport divers might justify that expense for freedom and simple diving?

Just one old guy's thoughts

David Haas