The Underwater Technology Centre is now marketing its Underwater Digital Device or UDI throughout North America.
The UDI is a wrist-wearable diving computer which logs dives and allows the wearer to communicate with fellow divers and their boat. The breakthrough for the UDI is that it permits a form of 2-way text messaging, over a distance of up to 500 meters (1,640 ft) underwater. It doesn’t have a keyboard, instead divers have a choice of over a dozen preset messages that they can highlight and send. As well, the device can be used to locate a dive boat and act as a SOS beacon. In America the unit sells for about $1,500 US.