Comments on: Underwater scooter is fabulous, frustrating http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 15:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092864 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092864 This is me scootering around Cozumel: http://www.amplattner.com/photos/fun/CaribbeanCruise2008/images/178_jpg.jpg Fun because of the retrofuture vibe of the bubble helmet, really slow and kind of lame. Plus, they took us right off the dock near where the ship was moored. Dead coral as far as the eye could see, but hey, they keep a sea cucumber for the diver's to bring up and wave in our faces. This is me scootering around Cozumel: http://www.amplattner.com/photos/fun/CaribbeanCruise2008/images/178_jpg.jpg Fun because of the retrofuture vibe of the bubble helmet, really slow and kind of lame. Plus, they took us right off the dock near where the ship was moored. Dead coral as far as the eye could see, but hey, they keep a sea cucumber for the diver’s to bring up and wave in our faces.

]]> By: durfsmurf http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092622 durfsmurf Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092622 I was just thinking the same thing- the "Rascal of the seas" I was just thinking the same thing- the “Rascal of the seas”

]]> By: dmatos http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092634 dmatos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092634 1. I was also going to mention that I saw those scooters lined up on the beach in Cozumel when I was down there in February. 2. If the water is calm, you don't need a scooter to make scuba a low-exertion exercise. Neutral buoyancy makes swimming almost effortless. And there already are a few "scuba for the handicapped" programs out there - mostly focused on rehabilitation of injured soldiers. 1. I was also going to mention that I saw those scooters lined up on the beach in Cozumel when I was down there in February.

2. If the water is calm, you don’t need a scooter to make scuba a low-exertion exercise. Neutral buoyancy makes swimming almost effortless. And there already are a few “scuba for the handicapped” programs out there – mostly focused on rehabilitation of injured soldiers.

]]> By: Mark Temporis http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1093443 Mark Temporis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1093443 The vehicle looks great for people who need glasses to see too. Prescription goggles aren't really an option for people who haven't already learned to scuba-dive. I'd love to be able to go underwater and see. Contacts aren't an option because I have a physical reaction to anyone (including myself) shoving shards of glass into my eyes. The vehicle looks great for people who need glasses to see too. Prescription goggles aren’t really an option for people who haven’t already learned to scuba-dive. I’d love to be able to go underwater and see.

Contacts aren’t an option because I have a physical reaction to anyone (including myself) shoving shards of glass into my eyes.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092694 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092694 My parents grew llamas for a few years while I was growing up and I can attest to their dislike of physical contact. We had a baby male llama spend the winter in our house and it still would never let anyone pet it without expressing disgust. Unfriendly bastards! As a side note, I'm surprised their 'alarm call' hasn't been used in any horror/alien movies. Our llamas were particularly annoyed by black bears and coyotes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTGPbLZQRPE (Not our llamas) My parents grew llamas for a few years while I was growing up and I can attest to their dislike of physical contact. We had a baby male llama spend the winter in our house and it still would never let anyone pet it without expressing disgust. Unfriendly bastards!

As a side note, I’m surprised their ‘alarm call’ hasn’t been used in any horror/alien movies. Our llamas were particularly annoyed by black bears and coyotes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTGPbLZQRPE

(Not our llamas)

]]> By: BungaDunga http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092696 BungaDunga Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092696 I used to live down the street from an alpaca farm, and there were a few who were quite happy to be petted through the fence. They'd lay their head on your arm sometimes. Not all of them, mind you- but one or two would actually come over to the fence to say hello. We'd attempt to feed them grass from the overgrown verge but once the owner saw us and yelled about how they were on a strict diet, or something. I used to live down the street from an alpaca farm, and there were a few who were quite happy to be petted through the fence. They’d lay their head on your arm sometimes. Not all of them, mind you- but one or two would actually come over to the fence to say hello. We’d attempt to feed them grass from the overgrown verge but once the owner saw us and yelled about how they were on a strict diet, or something.

]]> By: Smash Martian http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092964 Smash Martian Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092964 Also available around the Great Barrier Reef. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_gwzOxa9EE (I've got no connection with video, it's just the first recent one I found.) Also available around the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_gwzOxa9EE

(I’ve got no connection with video, it’s just the first recent one I found.)

]]> By: juepucta http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1093227 juepucta Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1093227 This is so exciting. Seems like one day, in my lifetime, i'll be able to scuba and smoke a cigarette simultaneously. So close! -G. This is so exciting. Seems like one day, in my lifetime, i’ll be able to scuba and smoke a cigarette simultaneously. So close!

-G.

]]> By: The Hamster King http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092731 The Hamster King Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092731 Scooty Puff Jr. sucks. Scooty Puff Jr. sucks.

]]> By: Ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092992 Ocker3 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092992 looks like a Snuba dive would be more fun and less restrictive (that's not a misspelling). looks like a Snuba dive would be more fun and less restrictive (that’s not a misspelling).

]]> By: Rosiemoto http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1093521 Rosiemoto Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1093521 I own Llamas and Alpacas. Loved this. I own Llamas and Alpacas.

Loved this.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092502 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092502 How do they not die from asphyxiation in those bubbles? I don't see any air input...maybe they surface every once and a while to take on more atmo? How do they not die from asphyxiation in those bubbles? I don’t see
any air input…maybe they surface every once and a while to take on more atmo?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092506 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092506 Although cool looking, it appears the reason that they are only available to be used in the antiseptic confines of a swimming pool is because they are being held aloft by steel cables. Without the steel cables it looks like anything deeper than a pool would be a dark, DEEP, watery grave. Although cool looking, it appears the reason that they are only available to be used in the antiseptic confines of a swimming pool is because they are being held aloft by steel cables. Without the steel cables it looks like anything deeper than a pool would be a dark, DEEP, watery grave.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092508 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092508 There's no reason this couldn't be used at sea other than the fact that the company that currently rents them has a lot of liability to worry about, and they may still be in a testing phase where they wouldn't want to drop someone in the atlantic only for their throttle to stick and just jet them off until the battery dies. Sure at the moment you're only allowed to use them in a pool, but that doesn't appear to be due to the functionality of the device itself, so was making the majority of the caption about alpacas (something completely unrelated to miniature submarines) really necessary? There’s no reason this couldn’t be used at sea other than the fact that the company that currently rents them has a lot of liability to worry about, and they may still be in a testing phase where they wouldn’t want to drop someone in the atlantic only for their throttle to stick and just jet them off until the battery dies. Sure at the moment you’re only allowed to use them in a pool, but that doesn’t appear to be due to the functionality of the device itself, so was making the majority of the caption about alpacas (something completely unrelated to miniature submarines) really necessary?

]]> By: i_r_beej http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092512 i_r_beej Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092512 Immediately after watching that lame video, I was presented with THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFcxjQODeMg&feature=player_embedded Still goofy and too dependent on having a swarm of support staff surrounding you. Immediately after watching that lame video, I was presented with THIS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFcxjQODeMg&feature=player_embedded

Still goofy and too dependent on having a swarm of support staff surrounding you.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1097376 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097376 A similar set of scuba scooters can be used to explore the oceans here on Oahu. I've seen them being used at two different places, one in Hawaii Kai, and another ship that leaves out of Kewalo Basin. I have to admit that I've often thought it would be perfect for my father, who hate's swimming, but is a great motorcycle rider. Perhaps he would be able to scoot with a turtle, dolphins or whales out here... A similar set of scuba scooters can be used to explore the oceans here on Oahu. I’ve seen them being used at two different places, one in Hawaii Kai, and another ship that leaves out of Kewalo Basin. I have to admit that I’ve often thought it would be perfect for my father, who hate’s swimming, but is a great motorcycle rider. Perhaps he would be able to scoot with a turtle, dolphins or whales out here…

]]> By: Bryan Price http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092518 Bryan Price Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092518 You beat me to it. It may still be better than trying to get dive certified though. You beat me to it.

It may still be better than trying to get dive certified though.

]]> By: stuiethegod http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1093031 stuiethegod Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1093031 haha... it's totally an underwater rascal. I bet these would be all the rage in Florida. I also have to say I love the head shrinking effect this thing renders onto its rider... makes me want to roam around in one wearing a trenchcoat and a dinosaur mask pretending to be a Goomba. haha… it’s totally an underwater rascal. I bet these would be all the rage in Florida.

I also have to say I love the head shrinking effect this thing renders onto its rider… makes me want to roam around in one wearing a trenchcoat and a dinosaur mask pretending to be a Goomba.

]]> By: ryuthrowsstuff http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092786 ryuthrowsstuff Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092786 There are a few different types of these things out and most are intended to be (and are) used out in the wild rather than in the pool. And the rational is actually to allow people who are not scuba certified (it takes training to do safely) to participate in shallow dives. Apparently also helpful for divers with various inner ear troubles. There are a few different types of these things out and most are intended to be (and are) used out in the wild rather than in the pool.

And the rational is actually to allow people who are not scuba certified (it takes training to do safely) to participate in shallow dives. Apparently also helpful for divers with various inner ear troubles.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092788 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092788 Full point! Full point!

]]> By: mtdna http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092533 mtdna Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092533 Not nearly as inspiring as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtoTm62rx3Y Not nearly as inspiring as this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtoTm62rx3Y

]]> By: CoquiELF http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1093047 CoquiELF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1093047 One of the best intro paras I've read in a while. One of the best intro paras I’ve read in a while.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092545 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092545 Well using it in a pool would tend to prevent one from getting the bends, and that would make lawyers happy. Well using it in a pool would tend to prevent one from getting the bends, and that would make lawyers happy.

]]> By: moniker42 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092815 moniker42 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092815 <3<3<3 <3<3<3

]]> By: Mark Dow http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092572 Mark Dow Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092572 Today, surprised kitty. Tomorrow surprised alpaca. Today, surprised kitty. Tomorrow surprised alpaca.

]]> By: frankieboy http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092828 frankieboy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092828 maybe it's just for fun maybe it’s just for fun

]]> By: JayConverse http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092580 JayConverse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092580 Scuba for the handicapped. Looks like it's made for those obese rednecks riding around Walmart on shopping scooters. Scuba for the handicapped. Looks like it’s made for those obese rednecks riding around Walmart on shopping scooters.

]]> By: irksome http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1092845 irksome Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1092845 Perhaps the alpacas would be more friendly if we offered them Aqua-Rascals. Perhaps the alpacas would be more friendly if we offered them Aqua-Rascals.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1093617 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1093617 @mark: you do realize that there are soft contact lenses? :) @mark: you do realize that there are soft contact lenses? :)

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/04/26/underwater-scooter-i.html#comment-1093621 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1093621 I guess I was lucky. I met somebody with an alpaca in San Francisco, and it was quite friendly. I guess I was lucky. I met somebody with an alpaca in San Francisco, and it was quite friendly.

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