Boat storage fills up quickly. A dive system that fits in a backpack makes an appealing addition—especially when it lets you leave the main air cylinder ashore.
BLU3 builds battery-powered, surface-supplied dive systems for shallow-water use. A floating compressor delivers air through a hose to the diver below, offering another option for underwater sightseeing and certain boat maintenance tasks.
Born from Brownie’s Third Lung, BLU3 was launched in 2017 with one central idea: make getting underwater easier.
“We wanted to make it a simple, portable, battery-powered dive system,” said Blake Carmichael, CEO of BLU3.
Instead of carrying a scuba tank on your back, BLU3’s system floats on the surface while supplying air to the diver below. The compact unit can be packed into a backpack, recharged between uses, and brought along for boating trips, travel, underwater exploration, boat maintenance, and more.
How Does BLU3 Work?
BLU3’s floating unit draws air from above the water and supplies it to the diver through a hose.
Its Smart Reg technology senses the diver’s breathing and controls when the compressor delivers air. Rather than running continuously, the compressor responds to demand, helping conserve battery power.
According to Carmichael, the team developed its compressor, motors, and internal system in South Florida, with compact dimensions and portability central to the design.
The equipment arrangement changes, but the diver is still breathing compressed air underwater. That distinction matters when preparing to use it.
Meet the Nomad Mini and Nomad
The choice between BLU3’s two systems comes down largely to depth and portability.
The Nomad Mini weighs approximately 12 pounds, including its battery, and is rated to a maximum depth of 15 feet. BLU3 lists roughly 35–40 minutes of runtime per standard battery, depending on use. Its optional DiveBoost Kit connects additional batteries for longer runtime.
The larger Nomad weighs approximately 15 pounds and is rated to a maximum depth of 30 feet.
“There are so many applications,” Carmichael said.
For boaters, the practical question is which system suits the intended activity. Both are designed for shallow-water diving, with different depth limits and battery arrangements.
A Dive System You Can Travel With
For boat owners, portability matters both on the way to the marina and once everything is aboard. A compact system is easier to find room for among the tenders, toys, tools, and luggage competing for storage.
Rechargeable batteries also remove the need to arrange cylinder fills for the system’s primary air supply.
Flying with one takes additional planning. Check the battery specifications and your airline’s current requirements before packing.
Less Equipment, Still Diving
Carmichael sees BLU3 as another route into underwater exploration.
“Our mission is to introduce new people to the underwater world,” he said.
It may also appeal to experienced divers who want a compact option for certain shallow-water activities. Traditional scuba remains a different equipment choice, with capabilities that extend beyond the Nomad systems’ rated depths.
Before using either system, BLU3 requires users to complete its Online Dive Training Course, read the applicable owner’s manual, and complete its Fitness to Dive Evaluation. The company also strongly recommends a reserve air supply and encourages further scuba training.
The attraction is a smaller equipment footprint. Learning to use that equipment remains part of the experience.
Why Systems Like BLU3 Matter for Boaters
An underwater look can answer questions that are difficult to resolve from the deck: what condition is the hull in, or where did that dropped item land?
For appropriately trained users, a portable dive system can support certain inspection and maintenance tasks within its operating limits. Work beneath a vessel also requires the boat to be secured and propulsion disabled.
There is a recreational appeal, too. At a suitable anchorage, the view below the boat may deserve as much attention as the coastline.
A Different View From the Anchorage
BLU3’s appeal is easy to understand: a compact system that gives prepared divers another way to spend time below the surface.
For yacht owners, that puts it alongside the equipment worth choosing for how it will actually be used. Consider the depth, conditions, training, and available space—then decide whether it earns a place aboard.
Learn more about the Nomad, Nomad Mini, and required training at BLU3.