Getting SASY
A few years ago, Wayne Hasson, a Cayman resident and owner of the live-aboard dive boat Cayman Aggressor, faced a dilemma. He and his wife, Anne, were both ardent, accomplished scuba divers and marine environmentalists. His children, then five and seven, understandably longed to share the diving experience, but their mother insisted that they simply snorkel atop the surface until they reached the age minimum of 12. They hated breathing in water and sputtering. So Hasson developed an ingenious compromise device that has already profoundly impacted the scuba industry and ocean education.
Hasson rigged a life vest with a pony bottle and regulator and let his kids try breathing from an air tank while positively buoyant at the surface. They remained face down without inhaling water, mimicking the feel of actual diving. The family worked on R&D for nearly a year with Custom Buoyancy, inventing and refining SASY (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth). The units resemble the real thing with life vest, small scuba tank (13 cubic feet as opposed to 19) in an adjustable holder, and regulator (all integrating crucial safety features like child-proof attachments and stabilizing straps); any kid five or older could now enjoy "diving" with Mom and Dad safely and comfortably. Recognizing adults might also feel awkward with snorkeling gear, Hasson created SASA (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Adults), which differs in the tank size (19 to 30 cubic feet). Although "snuba" allows you to go underwater, the hose can prove cumbersome and restrict the scope of your movement; kids as young as four can enjoy the feel of dive equipment with SASY, but the snuba minimum age is eight.
The device promotes interest in diving from a younger age, but equally important, the patent, trademarks, and income from sales and licensing agreements belong to Oceans for Youth, a nonprofit organization the Hassons subsequently founded to educate youth about the marine environment and the vital connection between sea and land life. As Hasson states, " . . . the health of the world's oceans will soon become the responsibility of today's children."
