It takes a motivated team and supporting sponsors to organize and host a Rebreather Forum. Here are the people and organizations that have made RF4 possible. We thank you all! Special thanks to graphic artist Ian Churchill, Ocean Point Ltd. for the incredible super hero art!
RF4 Team
Michael Menduno, organiser
Dr. John Clarke, science program
Dr. Frauke Tillmans, science program
Dr. Simon Mitchell, science program
Dr. Neal Pollock, science program
Rico Besserdich, production director
SJ Alice Bennett, art director, exhibits manager
Cristian Pellegrini, marketing communications
Manuela Tuccella, social media, onsite venues and contracts
Devina Wijaya, social media
Mark Gatt, accounting
Charlotte Cordina, accounting
John Kendall, AV Producer
Dean Laffan, producer
Darcy Kieran, survey manager
Tracy Robinette, historical rebreather exhibit
Jason Brown, RF4 photographer
Georgina Brown, onsite team
Julie Pounder, onsite team
Gözde Asutay, Try-dive manager
Paul Toomer, diving operations facilitator
Toby van Poos, diving operations facilitator
Timmy Gambin, Heritage Malta liaison
Maja Sausmekat, Heritage Malta liaison
Ashley Stewart, InDEPTH reporting
Nico Lurot, GUE.TV reporting
Tim Blomëke, Alert Diver.eu reporting
Peter Symes, Media and IT support
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DAN Europe exists to assist and protect all divers through the most extensive and reliable network of diving physicians worldwide. We offer the community numerous pioneering services, including the first-ever insurance designed specifically for divers. We also conduct scientific research to better understand diving physiology and share that knowledge with the goal of making diving a safer, more accessible activity. We develop first aid educational programs to preserve life, in and out of the water. We recognise the unique beauty and fragility of the Blue Planet, and act as ambassadors for more sustainable practices within our community.
PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is the largest purpose-driven diving organization with a global community of 6,600 dive centers and resorts, 128,000 professional members and more than 29 million certified divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to experience, explore and take meaningful action, as Ocean Torchbearers, to protect the world beneath the surface. For over 50 years, PADI is undeniably The Way the World Learns to Dive®, setting the standard for the highest quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers, PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI AWARETM, creating positive ocean change. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean. www.padi.com
The world’s most recognized and respected dive safety organization, Divers Alert Network (DAN) has remained committed to the health and well-being of divers for over 40 years. The organization’s research, medical services, and global-response programs create an extensive network that supports divers with injury prevention, safety, and educational programs, and lifesaving evacuations.
DAN provides real-time assistance during dive emergencies and works to make diving safer. DAN Research leads several in-house studies and oversees studies at collaborating universities and institutions. As a nonprofit organization, DAN has become a unique hub for a wide network of diving researchers and a respected source of information for divers and medical professionals alike.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of divers around the world look to DAN as their dive safety organization. Learn more or join DAN at DAN.org.
Malta’s incredibly rich and multi-variegated historical past is mirrored in the diversity of its underwater heritage. A subaquatic museum waiting to be discovered. Systematic undersea archaeological surveys off the coast of the Maltese Islands have revealed a multitude of underwater archaeological sites. These range from a 2,700 year-old Phoenician Shipwreck, Roman and Early Modern Shipwrecks to dozens of aircraft crash sites, submarines, and battleships from the First and Second World Wars. This underwater cultural heritage legacy has made Malta the curator for a uniquely well-preserved cultural resource that is global and belongs to all humankind. The recognition of responsibility towards properly managing and protecting Malta’s underwater cultural heritage resulted in the decision to create the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit (UCHU) within Heritage Malta, the national agency for cultural heritage, conservations and museums. The main objectives of the UCHU are the identification and documentation of sites, site valorisation and protection, as well as public access management and public outreach. The UCHU aims to continue opening underwater sites for public access, whilst ensuring that the authenticity and integrity of Malta’s UCH is protected, in keeping with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Dive RAID International (RAID) is a different approach to scuba and free diving focused on skill, comfort, and safety. Our promise is to bring the adventure and thrill of the underwater realm to our students from Try Dive and Open Water 20 to advanced rebreather and cave exploration. We deliver our promise via inclusive, technology-driven, programs delivered by some of the smartest, most experienced instructors and dive centres across the globe. That is The RAID Way and we’re proud to bring positive change to the industry. We’re ready to take you diving.
SUEX was founded in 2000 with the aim of producing high-performance underwater vehicles designed for long-range technical and professional diving.
Today, SUEX represents a cutting-edge technology within the underwater mobility. The evolution of SUEX DPVs over the years has succeeded in meeting the complex requirements of the most extreme technical and
professional applications, and in offering diving aficionados a unique and engaging diving experience, even at a recreational level.
SUEX DPVs combine technology and reliability for high performance inabsolute safety. Each model is tested by simulating real-world conditions to verify its performance, reliability and manoeuvrability, and improving its
design and equipment. DPV and state-of-the-art integrated communication systems offer a unique underwater experience. Innovation makes the experience simple but unforgettable.
Sponsors
The Dirty Dozen Expeditions specializes in creating expertly curated technical diving itineraries that explore some of the most remote places on the planet which include Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, Galapagos and Palau. What sets us apart is our drive to further the dive industry by connecting top-level divers with our customers with each trip forming a unique team of like-minded individuals with a fine balance of some serious exploration and good fun. Want more than your average dive trip where life onboard is as fascinating and enjoyable as life beneath the surface? You Got It!
Divesoft is dedicated to providing customers with superior quality specialized diving equipment.
The team is committed to continuous research and development to ensure our products are of the highest standards to meet the specific requirements of our customers. The products are developed and tested with constant focus on implementation of the most advanced technologies available while maintaining simplicity and reliability. All of the products are manufactured, assembled and tested at our state-of-the-art factory in the Czech Republic.
Fourth Element is dedicated to making the best gear for your underwater adventures, from award winning drysuits and wetsuits to swimwear and rashguards made from recycled ghost fishing nets. We develop our products to perform in the world’s most extreme environments and we are working to minimise their impact on our planet and its oceans.
Lombardi Undersea LLC has been in the business of underwater intervention for over 20 years, providing products and services across numerous diving fields – inshore construction, engineering, utility infrastructure, harbor services, husbandry, scientific exploration, marine science, aquaculture, marine harvesting, prospecting, and other working environments.
We develop portable habitats, respiratory therapy systems, and space analog life systems – all of which incorporate rebreather technology. Since 2017, we have produced the RD1 Rebreather and offer related components and assemblies to developers and manufacturers. Together with the RF4 organizers, we are pleased to sponsor the Mouthpiece Retaining Strap (MRS) safety initiative of the Rebreather Training Council (RTC) and have supplied each RF4 attendee with a MRS.
“Lust4Rust Dive Excursions and Shock & Awe Big Animal Diving” are dedicated to taking experienced people diving in remote locations globally. Operating since 1994, Pete Mesley, owner and operator has built his name and reputation in the industry with uncompromising safety with his hands on approach. No travel agents sending you to these locations to fend for yourself. He leads by doing. He was the first, and only operator to make it company policy to bring Hyperbaric Medical Support on all his Tech Trips. His trips are legendary and a lot of fun too!
Scuba Seekers + MV Legends
https://scubaseekers.com
https://www.mvlegends.com
Scuba Seekers is a world class diving facility specialising in CCR Courses, Diving and Training. Our Headquarters is located in sunny Dahab, Egypt, home of the famous BLUE HOLE, Canyons, and many more easy to access shore dive sites. In addition, Scuba Seekers offers a CCR Focused Liveaboard based in Hurgharda, Egypt. The MV LEGENDS is one of a kind Liveaboard built totally with CCR divers in mind; at its stern, a mechanical DIVERS LIFT makes getting in and out the water with full CCR equipment a breeze. Dive Trips on MV LEGENDS are made unique with the focus on EXPLORATION and exceptional diver experience whether you are into wrecks, fish or corals we have you covered. We offer GUE, TDI and IANTD CCR Courses, on JJ, Liberty and rEvo and we also support all types of CCR. OC, REC and Non-Divers are all welcome at both facilities.
Shearwater Research designs and manufactures wearable dive computers and rebreather control systems in Richmond, Canada, for all types of divers demanding more from themselves and their diving experience. After enjoying wide acceptance in technical diving circles, Shearwater has gained popularity amongst recreational divers as well. Whether you’re an air, nitrox, multi gas trimix, closed circuit rebreather diver, or freediver, Shearwater offers products which are powerful, simple, and reliable. Shearwater dive computers feature intuitive menus and interfaces that make them easy to use for divers at all development levels. Our computers are designed to improve the journey for divers everywhere.
Technical Diving International (TDI) is the largest technical diving agency in the world. As one of the first agencies to provide training in mixed gas diving and rebreathers, TDI is an innovator of new diving techniques and programs which previously were not available. With more than twenty-four regional offices worldwide, TDI divers are recognized everywhere as the gold standard by which others are measured. TDI divers explore wrecks like the Andrea Doria, Lusitania, and the Prince of Wales along with underwater caves in Spain, Australia and Mexico using diverse types of advanced diving equipment. The agency is committed to offering the highest quality training supported by the latest materials with the most up to date information and techniques. All TDI courses are developed and written by authors that acutely conduct the type of diving they are writing about, making TDI the most recognized technical organization in the world.
The Human Diver (www.thehumandiver.com) is the only organisation in the world focusing on the development and delivery of educational materials specifically focused on Human Factors, Non-Technical Skills, psychological safety, and incident investigation/learning from unintended outcomes in the diving domain. Non-Technical Skills and Human Factors are the cornerstone of safe diving operations – they help divers, instructors, and dive centre staff be safe and effective, helping them to manage risks and uncertainties, and to learn from incidents/near-misses. Outcomes in diving are a combination of technical skills, context, some luck, and Non-Technical Skills. Non-Technical Skills (decision-making, situation awareness, communication, leadership & followership, teamwork, and performance shaping factors) are rarely taught in formal diving courses. The Human Diver’s programmes are delivered via online, live webinar, and face-to-face, with instructors ranging from the West coast of the US to Australia. They are accessible to all and relevant to everyone. Apply Human Factors. Master the Dive.
Media Partners
Alert Diver is the dive industry’s leading publication. Featuring DAN’s core content of dive safety, research, education and medical information, each issue is a must-read reference, archived and shared by passionate scuba enthusiasts.
BARDOPhotographic is proud to be appointed the official photography provider at Rebreather Forum 4.0. Featuring the work of acclaimed photographer and CCR diver Jason Brown, BARDOPhotographic offers commercial and private clients a unique collection of top-side and underwater dive-related imagery to enthuse and inspire.
Jason has provided striking and inspirational imagery to leading dive industry manufacturers, distributors, industry events and training agencies. His photography has been used on a diverse range of materials ranging from training certification cards to adverts, brochures and exhibition stands. He is also a regular contributor to scuba diving publications across the globe, both as a photographer and features contributor. His images have graced the covers of numerous diving publications including Scuba Diver (UK), Sport Diver (US), DIVER (Canada) and even the Rebreather Forum 3.0 proceedings!
Whether you need imagery to enhance your promotional activities, to accompany newspaper or magazine editorial or simply to hang on your wall, contact us today.
The Business of Diving Institute (BODI) is your “dive business buddy,” focusing on market research and the development of strategies and programs to support consistency in the quality of the experience provided by dive professionals to scuba divers. Darcy Kieran, BODI’s principal & founder, publishes “Scubanomics”
(www.scubanomics.com) to share dive industry analysis and foster discussions on how to best provide the experience of the underwater world to today’s consumers.
GUE.tv was created to provide a supplementary educational platform for scuba diving enthusiasts. We believe these materials will increase global awareness of GUE and scuba diving training, thereby inspiring divers from around the world to establish and maintain a unified perspective, help ease diver anxiety, enhance class readiness, aid in skill maintenance, and encourage otherwise undecided or unsure divers to seek out training.
Hosted by Global Underwater Explorers (GUE), InDEPTH is the only English-speaking publication focused solely on technical and mission-oriented diving as a resource for the global diving community. The FREE online magazine publishes new stories on its website every month, and pushes them out in a weekly email. Our mission is to supply readers with accurate and compelling content to assist them in expanding their underwater envelope.