A Blacktip Island scuba outfitter has launched a line of thermochromic crystal-infused dive equipment so divers can tell at a glance what mood their fellow divers are in. (photo courtesy of Moodman001)
A Blacktip Island entrepreneur this week announced a new line of scuba diving equipment infused with 1970s-era thermochromic mood-ring technology in an effort to facilitate communication on the small Caribbean island’s dive boats.
“Rocking boats, seasick divers and disappointing dives can lead to tension and misunderstandings on dive charter boats,” Bamboo You president Piers ‘Doc’ Planck said. “People tee off on each other with little or no warning. Dive staffs tend to bear the brunt of it. That’s where heat-sensitive Mood-O-Dive comes in.
“With one glance you can tell what mood a person’s in, then proceed accordingly,” Planck said. “It started with mood rash guards, but then we realized the technology could be applied to so much more—wetsuits, masks, sunscreen, you name it. It’s inspired by the way squid flash colors to communicate. All we’re saying, is give mood a chance.”
Island dive staff applauded the development.
“Lots of times, you can’t tell whether a diving guest is pissed off, queasy or just Zenning out,” Eagle Ray Divers divemaster Marina DeLow said. “That can lead to saying the wrong thing and a major confrontation. With Mood-O-Dive, you can avoid all that. If their gear’s red, they’re pissed; yellow they’re seasick; blue they’re chilling. And we have charts posted on the boat so everyone can tell what each color means.”
Some divers were skeptical.
“As nice as it is to see someone’s mask turn red and know to back off, but it can also lead to misunderstandings,” dive guest Suzy Souccup said. “This morning I thought my husband was happy to see me, but he was just wearing a new blue wetsuit. And it’s a total invasion of privacy when I pee in my wetsuit and it turns bright orange, for all the world to see.”
Others embraced the new technology.
“Truth be told, I’ve never been able to read people’s moods” Chip Eunick said. “With this gear, though, I can tell. I check the tags and logos to make sure it’s real Mood-O-Dive. Then, if the wetsuit turns black or red, I back off; blue or green, I’ll start a conversation. It helps avoid faux pas between dives.”
Others refused to use the gear.
“Nobody’s business what moods I’m in,” diver Joey Pompano said. “And I already know. If somebody can’t tell what mood I’m in before coffee, I can’t help ‘em. I just slap a Mood-O-Dive sticker on my black gear folks leave me the hell alone.”
Planck has plans to broaden his use of the technology.
“If Mood-O-Dive proves as popular as we think it will, we’ll phase into thermochromic benches on the dive boats,” he said. “We’re also experimenting with heat-sensitive deck paint, in case people refuse to use our sunscreen, so dive staff can adapt their dive briefings mid-briefing to better serve the dive guests.”
The Blacktip Times 