Those of you who have never come across the SeaCURE custom mouthpieces will be pleased to hear it has quite a pedigree. It was scientifically designed by orthodontist, Dr Randall Moles in 1992 yes 1992!!. His aim was to create a moldable mouthpiece that each diver could easily self mould to correctly fit their mouth, teeth, gums and jaw.

“The moulding process is uncomplicated. Just dunk the unit in hot water for about 30 seconds. Then shake off the hot water and place it in your mouth and bite down. To get a good result it’s worth rubbing your fingers along your cheeks, pressing the mouthpiece against your teeth. At the same time, get busy with your tongue, and push the mouthpiece onto the inside of your teeth. Although you may feel a little daft doing this, you do get to achieve a snugger result. But the real beauty of the SeaCURE is that if you don’t get a perfect fit on the first go, no need to fret, you can just boil the mouthpiece again and give it another try. This actually is invaluable should your ‘bite’ change due to dental work, as the SeaCURE is remouldable, several months down the line”.

So what is so special about this mouthpiece compared to a conventional one? Divers who experienced headache pain when using a conventional mouthpiece found that when they switched to a SeaCURE, the headaches would reduce or stop. They could not understand why. The answer was simple. By spreading the biting pressure, the SeaCURE decreases the load on the jaw muscles. This automatically reduces jaw fatigue and in turn, where experienced, headaches. Additionally, the diver gains maximum retention, control and support of the regulator second stage. So there is less of a chance the mouthpiece dropping out. This concept has made this mouthpiece popular, especially with Dive Professionals who spend so much time in the water.

Now SeaCURE have developed a streamlined mouthpiece that is thinner and lighter, whilst retaining the amazing durability that the Classic SeaCURE has enjoyed. The changes in the contours make this new Sport Model more comfortable for divers of all ages and sizes. Finally both the Sport and the Classic SeaCURE mouthpieces fit most regulators.

DIVINGSHOP will be stocking all versions of the mouthpiece from January 2006 and we look forward to any feedback people may have regarding tthe SeaCURE during its use. The mouthpieces will fit any regulator and also a PRO version will fit all Rebreather mouthpieces.

SeaCURE £17.00

SeaCURE PRO £21.00

The Cross Channel Scuba Challenge, in which seven divers will fin from Shakespeare’s Cliff near Dover to Cap Griz Nez, is in aid of the Orchid Cancer Appeal. The appeal funds research into testicular cancer at London’s St Bartholomew Hospital.

“We are looking to help the battle against male cancers, as it is far from won,” says diving team member Colin Osborne, who founded the appeal in 1996 following his own experience with the disease. “2005 is my tenth year in remission. This is not a day I thought I’d see when I was told I had three months to live ten years ago.”

Despite the fact that “it will be cold and the logistics immense”, the cross-Channel scuba format was chosen, says Colin, because it has not been done before. Although the appeal remains its most important aim, the swim will represent a new category for the record books.

The divers will fin in 30-minute stints at a depth of 10m, the swim having been nick-named 10,000 Millimetres Under the Sea! The team is made up of divers drawn from scuba diving business, diving media and the Royal Navy. Surface support includes two more divers and a nurse.

The main support vessel will be St Cicala, a former Royal Naval fleet tender converted for marine research and diving charters. Also present will be Sea Venture II of The Channel Crossing Association, whose officials will observe the swim.

Although September’s swim was postponed, a fundraising raffle, originally planned to run in tandem with the swim, has been held. Prizes were donated by diving businesses and more than £4000 has been raised for the Orchid Cancer Appeal.

Annie Walters, badly hurt but still walking after a quad bike accident some years ago, made the sponsored jump with her husband, Pete, at Headcorn Parachute Club on 21 August. They first completed a Static Line jump course at the base, after which Annie was passed to jump solo and in charge of her own chute.

The money raised is supporting disabled students wishing to train with Diving Leisure London, based in Battersea. The company runs PADI and IAHD (International Association of Handicapped Divers) courses. Managing director and courses director Paul Toomer is an IAHD instructor, as is Annie Walters - who clearly is a free spirit.

"After months in a back brace, followed by considerable muscle and fitness training over several years, I continued my diving interest, completed my Divemaster course and am now an instructor," she told Divernet. "I haven't given up riding motorbikes or changed my workshop-based profession, as was suggested, and I do more now than I ever did before!