The invention provides for an improved and diversified system, apparatus and method for authenticating and/or authorizing an identity of an action requester within a secure environment. The invention provides for human and non-human agents as authentication factors that can be communicated with in real time via a communications network, such as via the Internet. The invention also provides for facilitating authorization of action requests that are received from non-human action requesters.

SCUBA diving equipment is composed of a heavy SCUBA pressure vessel, buoyancy compensation device and a heavy weight system. Together with a constricting exposure suit the current setup makes for a rather cumbersome system. Perfect buoyancy is a term used in SCUBA diving to describe the ability of the diver to maintain its vertical position in the water column. Doing so requires a thorough understanding of the governing physics principles as well as considerable practice time. Together, the cumbersome nature of standard SCUBA systems and the physical and mental requirements of operating said systems underwater are a commercial hurdle, preventing many individuals from entering the sport. The present invention provides systems that can significantly simplify both elements by allowing water to occupy some of the pressure vessel internal volume. Such a pressure vessel can be used as both the breathing gas source as well as a buoyancy control device, reducing or even eliminating the need for additional weights and a separate buoyancy compensation device. Embodiments of the present invention also comprise a control system and one or more sensors to provide an automatic buoyancy system.

A valve locking system for inflatable underwater equipment includes an inlet valve positioned inside the main body of a power unit, and a retaining element of the valve also positioned in the main body perpendicularly to the actuation and mounting axis of the valve.

Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

A buoyancy control device having a back panel and including at least one flotation bladder, which at least one flotation bladder is configured with the device for controllable inflation and deflation, and connected thereto a harness arrangement for securing the device to a body of a user, the device having a cylinder-mounting mechanism arranged to enable front or side mounting of at least one breathable gas cylinder is useful for snorkeling and diving or repeated diving from snorkeling. A particularly preferred configuration provides a lightweight device of less than 5 kg and an apparatus of no more than 10 kg whereby carriage to and from snorkeling and/or diving location is simplified.

A command and control assembly for inflating and deflating a hydrostatic balancing jacket includes a primary supply duct connected to an end of an air chamber of the jacket and provided, at the opposite end, with a hand piece having a mouthpiece device. A connection socket is provided on the hand piece, which is in fluid communication with a secondary supply duct connected to a compressed air tank, and a pneumatic actuation duct actuates a discharge valve of the jacket, which is in fluid communication with the secondary supply duct. Control systems of the delivery from the secondary duct, of the delivery to the pneumatic actuation duct, and of the delivery from the mouthpiece are arranged on the hand piece.

A mountable Multiple Port Distribution Manifold consisting of a selector knob through which a gas of liquid media may internally flow, between a hollow port at one end and a side port of the rotate-able Shaft within the Manifold. By rotating the Knob/Shaft, the side hole port of the Knob/Shaft assembly may selectively intersect with multiple ports within the Manifold. Said assembly also provides of an off position, where no Shaft/Manifold intersection allows port to port connection. The invention may be constructed of any suitable material, natural or synthetic, that is sufficiently strong to withstand the internal pressures of a gas or liquid media routed within.

An apparatus is disclosed having a sensor configured to measure a biological parameter of a diver and transmit a sensor signal. A controller is configured to determine that the biological parameter value correlated to the sensor signal is anomalous and responsively issue a rescue deployment signal to a buoyancy valve assembly. The buoyancy valve assembly has an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized gas and an outlet port connectable to a buoyancy control bladder. The buoyancy valve assembly configured to receive the rescue deployment signal and responsively supply pressurized gas from the inlet port to the outlet port and buoyancy bladder, whereby the diver may ascend the water surface, even if disabled.

Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

A shoulder strap for devices adapted to carry loads, particularly on the back of a user, has a side widening toward the sternal area of the user and an arched shape, the dimensions and shapes being designed so that in worn condition the side widening can rest on the thorax area, below the cervicothoracic imaginary line and above the breast, while the section extending downward beyond the side widening overlaps the side area of the thorax, the breast being positioned in the area next to a concave side edge that bypasses the breast. A buoyancy compensator for diving comprising equipped may be equipped with one or more shoulder straps as described.