Submersible Systems

What Submersible Systems does

Submersible Systems, Inc. is a Huntington Beach, California-based manufacturer of high-pressure aluminum emergency breathing apparatus, founded in 1979 by Larry Williamson after a near-drowning incident during a SCUBA dive. The company designs, extrudes, and assembles DOT-certified aluminum cylinders and proprietary breathing regulators in-house, producing a portfolio of redundant air-supply products under the Spare Air, HEED 3, EasyDive, Spare Air Xtreme, Spare Air Industrial, Spare Air Escape, and SWBA brands. Submersible Systems serves four primary customer segments: recreational SCUBA divers seeking backup breathing capability, military and government organizations (including the US Navy and US Coast Guard) using the Helicopter Emergency Egress Device for water egress, first responders and water rescue teams, and industrial workplaces requiring emergency breathing equipment for toxic air environments. The company operates a dual go-to-market combining direct e-commerce through ssishoppingcart.com with a global network of authorized dive shop resellers and distributors, supplemented by enterprise sales to military and government buyers via approved-supplier relationships. All products carry ISO 9001:2015, CE, and DOT certifications, and over 400,000 units have been sold worldwide since 1979. Submersible Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brownie's Marine Group, Inc., a publicly traded company under the symbol BWMG.

Name

Submersible Systems

Legal name

Submersible Systems, Inc.

Website

https://submersiblesystems.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Submersible Systems manufactures high-pressure aluminum emergency breathing apparatus (Spare Air, HEED 3, EasyDive, SWBA) in Huntington Beach, California, serving recreational SCUBA divers, military and government organizations, first responders, and industrial safety buyers worldwide since 1979.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Breathing Apparatus

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Diving & Snorkeling Retail (Scuba Gear) (CRAMAIAF)

Keywords

• Emergency breathing devices
• Scuba safety equipment
• Helicopter egress devices
• High-pressure aluminum cylinders
• Swift water rescue apparatus

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntington Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Emergency Breathing Device Sales: Sale of proprietary emergency breathing systems including Spare Air, HEED 3, Spare Air Industrial, Spare Air Xtreme, EasyDive, and Spare Air Escape to recreational, commercial, and government customers through direct and channel sales. Products sold as one-time purchases with refillable/reusable design.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Submersible Systems designs, manufactures, and sells emergency breathing apparatus — compact, refillable high-pressure air systems that provide independent redundant breathing capability. The product family includes the Spare Air backup for SCUBA divers, the HEED 3 Helicopter Emergency Egress Device for military and government water rescue, the EasyDive mini-SCUBA system with Snorkelator, the Spare Air Xtreme vest system for watersports, the Spare Air Industrial for workplace toxic-air and shallow-water incidents, the Spare Air Escape pre-filled package for residential fire/smoke emergencies, and the SWBA for first responder water rescue. All products are machined and assembled at the company's Huntington Beach, California facility.

Product overview

Submersible Systems is a manufacturer of emergency breathing apparatus, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Huntington Beach, California. The company produces a portfolio of redundant air supply devices designed for life-saving applications across recreational diving, military/rescue operations, industrial safety, and emergency escape scenarios. The core product family includes Spare Air (original SCUBA backup breathing device), HEED 3 (Helicopter Emergency Egress Device for water rescue), EasyDive (mini-SCUBA with larger capacity), Spare Air Xtreme (compact vest system for watersports), Spare Air Industrial (workplace/toxic environment safety), and Spare Air Escape (fire smoke emergency escape package). The company also manufactures high-pressure aluminum cylinders as core components and offers the Snorkelator accessory for EasyDive. All products are designed, machined, and assembled in the company's California factory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spare Air: Emergency breathing device for SCUBA divers providing independent redundant air supply, serving as a self-rescue or buddy rescue system at recreational depths.
• HEED 3
• Spare Air Xtreme
• EasyDive
• Spare Air Industrial
• Spare Air Escape
• SWBA (Swift Water Breathing Apparatus)

Products and services

• Spare Air The original emergency breathing device for SCUBA divers, providing an independent redundant air supply as a self-rescue backup similar to a skydiver's reserve parachute. Available in multiple capacities from 1.1 to 6.0 cubic feet; refillable and reusable.
• HEED 3 (Helicopter Emergency Egress Device) Third-generation Helicopter Emergency Egress Device providing simple, reliable, and affordable rescue from water emergencies for military, government, and private organizations. Designed as the evolved military/government variant of the original Spare Air.
• HEED 3-SWBA (Swift Water Breathing Apparatus) Type-approved Swift Water Breathing Apparatus (SWBA) designed and holstered specifically for first responders in water rescue incidents. Extends self-rescue time and ensures critical breathing capability in contaminated water.
• EasyDive

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400,000 units sold worldwide since 1979
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Public Safety InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with New Zealand-based Public Safety Institute to launch the first type-approved Swift Water Breathing Apparatus (SWBA). The SWBA is designed and holstered specifically for first responders in water rescue incidents, extending self-rescue time and ensuring critical breathing capability in contaminated water. This represents a core strategic partnership for expanding into the first responder market.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hollis: Diving equipment brand producing regulators, BCDs, and dive computers for technical and recreational divers. Comparable to Submersible Systems' SCUBA product portfolio with overlapping dive shop distribution channels.
• ScubaPro: Premium diving equipment brand (Johnson Outdoors) making regulators, BCDs, and dive computers. Comparable to Submersible Systems as a full-line SCUBA equipment manufacturer with global dive shop distribution.
• Aqua Lung: Major diving equipment manufacturer producing regulators, tanks, and buoyancy devices. Directly comparable to Submersible Systems' Spare Air and EasyDive product lines serving the recreational SCUBA market with overlapping distribution through dive shops.
• Avon Protection: Specialized manufacturer of respiratory protection systems for military, law enforcement, and first responders, including diving and underwater breathing apparatus. Closely comparable to Submersible Systems' HEED 3 and SWBA products serving government/defense customers.
• Poseidon Diving Systems: Swedish manufacturer of technical and recreational diving regulators and rebreathers. Comparable to Submersible Systems as a niche innovator in breathing apparatus for divers with strong engineering pedigree.
• Ocean Reef: Italian manufacturer of full-face diving masks and underwater communication systems. Comparable to Submersible Systems as a specialty diving equipment manufacturer with a focus on underwater breathing.
• XS Scuba: US-based diving equipment manufacturer and distributor producing regulators, tanks, and accessories for recreational divers. Comparable to Submersible Systems as a smaller US competitor in the SCUBA backup and accessory segment.

Broad incumbents

• 3M Scott Fire & Safety: Division of 3M producing SCBA, thermal imaging, and respiratory protection for fire and safety markets. Comparable to Submersible Systems in serving first responders with breathing apparatus.
• MSA Safety: Public safety equipment manufacturer producing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for firefighters and first responders. Comparable to Submersible Systems across the SWBA first-responder and Industrial product lines.
• Drägerwerk: German safety and medical technology company producing SCBA units, diving equipment, and gas detection for industrial, fire, and military applications. Comparable to Submersible Systems across the SWBA, HEED 3, and Industrial product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheSPAREAIRFAMILY
• Facebookfacebook.com/spareairofficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/spareairofficial/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/submersible-systems-inc.

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Submersible Systems