The Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth (SASY) unit allows children to get a feel for diving while staying safely on the surface.
The unit is comprised of a small tank that fits into a Velcro holder. Two cinch straps hold the tank firmly in place. The child-sized BC is a jacket with adjustable parachute-style straps, a thin cummerbund and an adjustable strap between the legs that keep the unit from floating loosely.
The padded neoprene backpack adds comfort and keeps the wearer from submerging. The BC comes without any pockets or D rings so weights cannot be added. The regulator has a lightweight second stage with a child-sized mouthpiece and a pressure gauge/slate. The regulator hose is threaded through buckles on the BC, keeping the second stage in front of the child and preventing its removal from the vest.
Our initial test of the SASY unit took place in the pool of the Seven Mile Beach Resort and Club on Grand Cayman. Our two sons took easily to breathing off scuba and enjoyed reading their psi on the pressure gauge.
In the open ocean, the SASY units handled well in choppy water. They fit snugly and the tank holder kept the tanks from rolling around. Having a regulator was an advantage when 3-foot waves broke over their heads. Face-down and back-swimming positions worked well. The air supply lasted about 15 minutes.
The dive industry has waited a long time to downsize its equipment for kids like other sports (golf, tennis, skiing). The SASY is a well-designed unit that fits kids of different sizes. Our strong-swimming boys enjoyed trying them out, although they felt a bit hampered by the inability to dive down and look at things like they can when they're snorkeling.
The SASY unit seems like a great way to introduce kids to scuba and the diving experience. For more information, check your local dive store, or click onto Scubapro's home page below.
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