The Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) and Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus (SSBA) focus groups were held in conjunction with Pacific Commercial Diving Supply, Divex and Apollo Australia, who currently supply and maintain the equipment used by both the Navy and Army. 

All three companies participated in their separate focus groups, which included presentations on capability and feedback from 25 Defence personnel representing the Navy, Army, the Mine Clearance Diving Systems Program Office, the Amphibious and Afloat Support Systems Program Office and Industry Division.

Suggestions from each focus group were varied and included:

• reinforcing or re-designing the handle of the diver’s knife to ensure strength and reliability
• replacing the current stainless steel blade of the knife with a titanium blade
• increasing the capability of the Diver’s Panel to cater for three divers, and
• replacing current panel valves with non-corrosive connectors, to allow for a more sturdy product. 

Product specific focus groups are an important element to Defence and Industry Policy. Product specific focus groups are an initiative of the Defence and Industry Policy Statement 2007, and are intended to enhance the relationship and flow of information between Defence end-users and Industry.

Industry Division liaises with the companies involved in the months following the focus groups to find out whether they can use any of the suggestions in the future manufacturing of products.

Other focus group topics that have been organised previously include the Bushmaster, Steyr rifle and small arms ammunition.

For more information on the product specific focus groups, or to put forward a suggestion on possible future topics, email Joe Hujs joe.hujs@defence.gov.au or Jodi Haslam jodi.haslam@defence.gov.au