I remember my first dive with the Diva in early 1995. The feeling of being
cradled in a plush, padded harness designed to fit a woman's contours made a
lasting impression; it was pure comfort. I also recall watching with envy as Ty
Sawyer made his dive with Sea Quest's Quickdraw in early 1996. It wasn't the
Quickdraw's styling or harness that turned me green; the Diva is far more
unique and explicit in design; it was the integrated weight system I coveted. I
wanted the opportunity to use a BC with the feminine styling of the Diva and
the freedom of Sea Quest's integral Weight Holster release system.
After a little more than a year, my opportunity has arrived with the new Diva
QD. Marrying the best of the Diva and the Quickdraw, Sea Quest has
formed a match made in Neptune's realm, promising the unique support system and
features of the first Diva BC and the unencumbered grace of diving with an integrated
weight system. BCs with integrated weights have been around for a while but the
Diva QD is one of the first that offers this convenience in a BC made just for
women.
Including the QD, Sea Quest has five BCs that use its trademark Weight Holster release
system. This well designed, easy to use system features two releasable front
weight modules and two rear non-ditchable pockets. The front weight modules are
contoured to rest comfortably against the body and fit into a compartment just
below the zippered pockets. Pulling on a plastic handle tears the
touch-fastening flap away from the BC and releases the weight module from its
compartment. Up to 10 pounds of lead shot packs or hard weights fit into the
weight module pockets, which are sealed with a touch-fastening flap. The rear
weight pockets have quick-release buckles and can hold up to five pounds each.
These pockets help distribute the weight evenly throughout the BC. The Diva's
total weight capacity is 30 pounds.
A BC with this kind of weight capacity must be solid, durable and well built.
Thus, the Sea Quest engineers constructed the low profile, jacket-style Diva QD
from 420 denier nylon. Its single bladder is urethane coated and holds the air
around the diver's back and under the arms, providing her with a wide range of
motion and superior stability.
The harness of a BC has a hefty job. It must support and evenly distribute the
weight of the tank. The shoulder straps, chest panels and waistband should
conform to the body in order to provide the greatest stability and support, but
all bodies, especially men's and women's, are not the same. The Diva's harness
was designed to conform to a woman's curves, earning it an exclusive
endorsement by the Women's Scuba Association. The plush waistband is contoured
to rest lightly above the hips and tapers at the touch-fastening closure. Each
side of the Multiset waistband connects to the plush lined, Neutrafoam padded
integral body harness with contoured clips that fit into three possible
channels. This gives the diver the ability to expand the waistband up to six
inches. A floating, quick-release fastener clips together above the waistband,
bringing the two sides of the BC together for a snug fit with a low profile.
Stretching from the waistband to the shoulder straps are the front panels,
which crisscross at the chest. Sewn into the panels is a soft, stretchable
Lycra material that expands and contracts with movement.
Nylon webbing connects the chest panels to the shoulder straps. These can be
adjusted from the top; to lower the position of the buckle; or from the bottom;
to raise the level of the chest panels and waistband. The straps also feature
quick-release buckles that make shedding the BC a snap.
Sea Quest's focus on convenience and safety is exhibited in the design of its
tank support system, which uses three components to secure the tank. The
Contour Pack is a curved, hard plastic backpack that cradles the tank. It has a
rubber Traction Pad insert to minimize the possibility of slippage. The tank
band holds the system together with a wide nylon webbing strap that threads
through a standard ABS plastic cam action buckle and closes with a
touch-fastening strip.
Tank and accessory attachment (the Diva has two D-rings and a female
quick-release clip for accessories) are secondary to the BC's principal
functions, which are assisting with neutral buoyancy, surface flotation and
controlling the rate of descent/ascent. The components that provide the diver
with superior control over these functions are the Trimline Inflator and rear
dump valve. Tucked into the compact, low profile Trimline Inflator is the low
pressure hose. The whole unit is held close to the diver's body with a
touch-fastening airway retainer. An ergonomically positioned blue power inflation
button lets you inflate the BC at the surface or add air at depth to trim your
buoyancy. The BC can also be inflated orally.
There are four ways to vent air from the Diva QD. First is the BC's built-in
safety mechanism that automatically vents air from a relief valve if the
pressure inside the BC exceeds about 2.5 psi. The diver can also vent air
through this same valve (at the top of the inflator hose) by pulling gently on
the inflator unit. While descending head first, the diver has the convenient
option of venting air through the rear dump valve, found on the lower right
side. Any remaining air can be exhausted in a head up position by holding the
inflation unit over the head and depressing the oral inflation/deflation
button.
The Diva QD is not for prima donnas; it is not a 'girly' BC. It is an advanced
piece of equipment that includes most of the innovations found in Sea Quest's
top of the line BCs. You can wrap yourself in the comfort and security of this
nearly custom fit BC with integrated weights for only $460. It is available in
black/purple/ spruce or black/raspberry in sizes extra small through medium
large.
For more information or the name of your nearest dealer, call Sea Quest at
(619) 438-1101, fax (619) 438-3142 or write to 2151 Las Palmas Drive, Carlsbad,
CA 92009.