Traditional buoyancy control devices (BCDs) suffer from compressibility which can cause rapid, uncontrollable, and unsafe ascent and descent in the depths of the deep blue sea. They also tend to be bulky and difficult to maneuver, especially for recreational divers.

Rho is a reimagination of buoyancy control: providing stability by way of two fixed-volume cylinders, affixed to the air tank, that offer neutral buoyancy support, as well as controlled ascent and descent for users of all skill levels. The entirety of the system is strapped to the divers back, naturally rotating them to the optimal position to explore the ocean, with a full range of motion.

Rho's defining feature is the silicon-molded bladder that sits inside each cylinder, acting as the interface between the air and water. Regardless of the diver's orientation, the bladder allows the diver to maintain their desired buoyancy. By adding additional air into the bladder or water into the cylinder, the density of the system changes, pulling the diver with it as it rises or falls. When the density of the system equals the water density of the diver's surroundings, the diver becomes neutrally buoyant.

Unlike traditional BCDs, that use only air in a vest, Rho is a "set it and forget it" system that attaches to the diver's backplate. Once the system is set to the neutrally buoyant condition, the diver does not need to readjust as they swim up or down in the ocean. With conventional BCDs, if the diver moves too far up, the extra air can propel the diver to the surface without warning.

By using the handheld controls, the diver can add air/expel water to the system to ascend or expel air/add water to the system to descend. The diver can easily attain neutral buoyancy, as they see fit.

Instead of struggling to enter the highly competitive scuba equipment market, we will manufacture Rho and then sell as wholesale to existing industry leaders who already have inroads with conventional dive shops at which our clients can find our product.

Because Rho is made from different materials than and has a different manufacturing process from conventional BCDs, we will manufacture in our factory rather than license the production rights to existing BCD manufacturers.

It will cost us $150 to produce Rho, which includes manufacturing, overhead, and labor costs. We will then sell to wholesalers for $450. Rho will retail for $1,000, which is at the top end of the range of BCD offerings currently on the market.