Super Dive Tank

Abstract

The present invention provides an enclosed, in-ground, temperature-controlled super dive tank for recreational diving and/or dive training purposes. The super dive tank has a length ranging between about 100 to about 200 feet long and a width ranging between about 50 to 150 feet wide. The depth of the tank ranges between about 50 to 80 feet deep. The present invention also provides a method for simulating open water diving by a diver, comprised of diving in an enclosed, in-ground, temperature-controlled super dive tank up to depths ranging between 50 to 80 feet. The present invention thus provides a diver with as natural a diving experience as one would have if one were diving in a coral reef in an ocean.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A super dive tank, comprising an enclosed, in-ground, temperature-controlled tank having a front end, a rear end, a top end, a bottom end, and two sides, wherein the distance between the front end and the rear end of the tank, or length of the tank, ranges between about 100 feet to about 200 feet long, the distance between the two sides of the tank, or width of the tank, ranges between about 50 feet to about 150 feet wide, and the distance between the top end and the bottom end of the tank, or depth of the tank ranges between 50 feet to about 80 feet deep. 
     
     
         2 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein said tank is about 150 feet long, about 100 feet wide, and about 60 feet deep. 
     
     
         3 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein said tank has an entry ledge at the rear end and at the two sides of the tank, said entry ledge having a width of about 3 feet, and wherein said tank has a walkway adjacent to the entry ledge, said walkway having a width of about 6 feet. 
     
     
         4 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the two sides of the tank has one or more underwater ledges, each one of the underwater ledges being located at a different depth level in the tank. 
     
     
         5 . The super dive tank according to  claim 4 , wherein one of the two sides of the tank contains a first underwater ledge located at a depth level of about 20 feet, and a second underwater ledge located at a depth level of about 40 feet, wherein the second one of the two sides of the tank contains one underwater ledge located at a depth of about 30 feet, and wherein each of the underwater ledges has a width of about 20 feet. 
     
     
         6 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein said tank has a shape selected from the group consisting of rectangular and elliptical. 
     
     
         7 . The super dive tank according to  claim 6 , wherein said tank is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein said tank has a sand-filled bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the tank contains clear water. 
     
     
         10 . The super dive tank according to  claim 9 , wherein the tank contains over 2×10 6  gallons of clear water. 
     
     
         11 . The super dive tank according to  claim 9 , wherein temperature of the clear water is maintained at about 80 degrees F. 
     
     
         12 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein said tank can accommodate up to about 30 divers. 
     
     
         13 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the tank contains a plurality of artifacts selected from the group consisting of underwater landscaping such as artificial coral, a sunken pirate ship, a treasure chest, one or more skeletal remains, a small aircraft, and other objects to enhance recreational use of the tank. 
     
     
         14 . The super dive tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the tank contains a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of underwater video cameras, a submerged vehicle for rescue, a section of steel beams and girders welded together for underwater welding, bolting and inspection exercises, and other objects useful for training exercises in the tank. 
     
     
         15 . A method for simulating open water diving by a diver, comprising diving in an enclosed, in-ground, temperature-controlled super dive tank, said tank being rectangular or elliptical in shape, about 100 feet to about 200 feet long, about 50 feet to about 150 feet wide, and about 50 feet to 80 feet deep. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tank is rectangular in shape and is about 150 feet long, about 100 feet wide, and about 60 feet deep. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tank has one or more underwater ledges, each one of the underwater ledges located at a different depth level selected from the group consisting of about 20 feet, about 40 feet, and about 60 feet. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tank contains over 2×10 6  gallons of clear water which is maintained at about 80 degrees F. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tank can accommodate up to about 30 divers. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tank contains a plurality of artifacts and/or objects selected from the group consisting of underwater landscaping such as artificial reef or coral, a sunken pirate ship, a treasure chest, one or more skeletal remains, a small aircraft, underwater video cameras, a submerged vehicle for rescue, a section of steel beams and girders welded together for underwater welding, bolting and inspection exercises, and other artifacts and/or objects to enhance recreational use or to aid training exercises in the tank.