December 20, 1990

                                     DIVE1.ASC

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                              Acoustic Diver Beacons



       University of Florida     researchers    investigating    underwater

       communication systems have discovered  that  the sound "sshhh", when

       played through underwater speakers, enables divers to find their way

       home, even from GREAT DEPTHS and in DARK, MURKY WATER.



       Researchers James Hicks  and  Harry  Hollien, of the  Institute  for

       Advanced Study of  the Communication Processes, discovered that this

       sound played underwater can be heard  by  divers from AS FAR AWAY AS

       500 FEET.



       Three or more underwater speakers are arranged in a  line projecting

       from home base  to  emit  their  signal  in  sequence, much like the

       flashing runway lights at airports.   The  stereo  effect  from this

       pattern guides the divers back to home base.



       The underwater ACOUSTIC BEACON is much more reliable than underwater

       compasses and electronic instruments ordinarily used  for underwater

       navigation.



       The technique should  prove  helpful  to divers working from surface

       ships, oil rigs,  or submarines and  underwater  habitats.   Various

       types of underwater speakers and arrangements have  been  tested  to

       further extend the range.

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