Nautilus.
In collaboration with SEAC sub and Better Factory.
Though scuba diving is often regarded as a low-impact activity, the behavior of divers underwater can greatly affect the survival of aquatic ecosystems, particularly fragile coral reefs. IIn the most extensive study on diver behavior, a staggering 81.4% were found to have touched or kicked coral. Alarmingly, 79.8% of these incidents resulted in minor damage, while 4.1% caused severe and irreversible harm. Perhaps most startling is that over 95.2% of severe damage incidents were caused by fins.*
Divers, lacking sensation in their feet, are often unaware of what their fins are coming into contact with. This lack of sensitivity raises concerns about the design of traditional fins, which prioritize foot protection but may inadvertently pose a threat to underwater environments.
In response, NMASA Design proposed a radical solution: a redesigned fin shape that exposes more of the foot, particularly the toes – the most sensitive part. This new design, intentionally fragile in appearance, challenges the conventional notion of fin robustness.
The team hypothesized that by increasing the risk of injury, divers would become more cautious and attentive to their underwater surroundings. This heightened awareness and fear of potential harm could serve as an effective defense mechanism for corals and other marine organisms.
The outcome is NAUTILUS, a fin that not only deliberately disrupts traditional approaches to environmental preservation but also introduces an edgy aesthetic, diverging from the homogeneity of the scuba diving equipment sector. This design opens the door to rethinking the traditional approach to fin design, inviting innovation and creativity into an industry accustomed to convention.
*Barker, N. H. L., & Roberts, C. M. (2004). Scuba diver behaviour and the management of diving impacts on coral reefs. Biological Conservation, 120(4), 481-489
81% kicked or touched corals when diving
4.1% Resulted in major or irreversible damage
95.2% of this major damage was caused by fins
Can the fins be redesigned to heighten divers’ awareness of their surrounding?
Results exhibited during the Southern Sweden Design Days 2024 as part of the exhibition “Artifacts for a scuba diving utopia”
