Aussie Inventor’s Underwater Breathing Gizmo Makes a Splash!
Imagine being able to glide underwater like James Bond, without the clunky scuba gear. Well, an Australian inventor has turned that dream into reality with a nifty gadget.
David Hallamore, a Melbourne local, has cooked up a mini scuba tank called SCORKL. This clever contraption lets you breathe underwater for a cool 10 minutes without needing scuba training.
Over 85% of these genius devices are sailing away to international shores, making David’s underwater dream a booming business.
“I just wanted more underwater time without the scuba fuss,” chuckled David, sharing his inspiration. You know, like when you watch Baywatch and think, “Hey, I want that!”
He recalled a scene from the iconic TV show where they used a tiny underwater cylinder for five minutes. But since these gadgets weren’t a real thing, he decided to create one himself. And voila, SCORKL was born.
SCORKL first hit the waters in 2017, causing waves in more than 65 countries and raking in over $2 million in pre-orders.
But David didn’t stop there. He took his invention up a notch with SCORKL 2.0 – Electric, which he launched through Kickstarter. This newer version includes a snazzy electric compressor.
David explained, “Regular scuba compressors are bulky and costly, but our electric one is light, affordable, and portable. You can plug it into the wall or even power it with your boat or car battery.”
These gadgets have been used to fix boat props, clean hulls, and explore underwater wonders. And now, the electric compressor makes refilling them as easy as a dip in the pool.
But what do people say about this gizmo? “Unusual, easy to use, surprisingly easy,” shared David, giggling. He pointed out that although it might look heavy on land, it becomes as light as a feather underwater, just like snorkeling.
And let’s talk dollars. SCORKL isn’t just making waves for its innovation; it’s a money-saver too. David mentioned, “With SCORKL’s compressor, you get a full scuba setup that’s portable and affordable – one-tenth the cost of the traditional stuff.”
The diving community dove right in. In just 48 hours after the new version’s launch, the company nabbed $150,000 in orders from 20 countries. The tally has now surged to $250,000 from 30 countries, and more orders are expected before the pre-sales curtain drops on September 8.
So, if you’ve ever dreamt of being an underwater adventurer like James Bond (or just want to clean your boat hull with flair), SCORKL might be your aquatic ally. Dive in, folks! 🌊💦