A new scuba tank designed by Avelo promises to eliminate the need to use a BCD as well as provide divers with more air than a typical tank would provide.
In addition, the cylinder is lighter than a standard scuba tank.
The new “Hydrotank” features an inner bladder for holding air and is positively buoyant on the surface. To descend, the diver uses a battery-operated pump to let water into the tank around the bladder, causing it to become negatively buoyant.
Buoyancy adjustments are made using a purge valve to push water out of the cylinder. The system mimics the buoyancy systems used in submarines which pump water into tanks to act as ballast before pumping it out to become more positively buoyant.
Commenting on the invention, Avelo Creator Aviad Cahana said:
“You don’t need weights… You simply borrow your weight from the ocean.”
Depending on the supply chain and manufacturing capacity, the new Avelo system is expected to hit the market in 2023.
You can check out a video of the Avelo system below.