Witnessing the aquatic nature underneath lapping island waves is an activity imbued with wonder. But while it’s easy to marvel wonder at the unique, vibrant underwater life teeming below, it can be a little uncomfortable having to wear huge tanks with a limited supply of oxygen to explore.
Way back when, Sean Connery’s 007 was given the solution to this problem in the form of a small device that could be worn underwater to breathe normally while swimming. Now, that device is actually here. Titled the Triton, the lightweight re-breather allows anyone from snorkelers to lifeguards to breathe underwater without any addition equipment. A clever implementation of technology works to make this happen, with the device’s microporous hollow fiber keeping out water molecules while still letting in oxygen.
That oxygen is then run through a small microcompressor to create breathable oxygen for up to 45 minutes at a time at a maximum depth of up to 15 feet. Backers can grab their very own Triton for $299, $100 off its eventual retail price of $399. Should its $50,000 Indiegogo campaign see success by April 27th, 2016, backers should receive the device by December 2016.
Let’s not beat around the bush. This product has the potential to revolutionize how all types of diving is done. This type of development has massive implications on everything marine research, oceanic safety, and even military operations, and is another product in a long line of very creative crowdfunded concepts in the aquatics space.