SCUBAPRO: Revolutionizing the Dive Industry since 1963

Innovation is at the heart of Johnson Outdoors, both above and below the ocean’s surface. Famously
created “for divers, by divers” the SCUBAPRO name has become synonymous with quality and
innovation. Since the brand’s debut in the early 60s, SCUBAPRO has garnered a well-earned reputation for the cutting-edge engineering, research, and product development that has — on occasion — revolutionized the way we dive.


Here’s a brief history of the SCUBAPRO products that disrupted the dive industry through the years.

The Regulator that Started it All

In 1963, SCUBAPRO released the most successful and reliable piston 1 st stage scuba diving regulator in history: The MK2. Improving on the MK1, the MK2 featured a single low-pressure port and one high-
pressure port, and the only moving part of the first stage was its piston. The innovative-yet-simple
design provided higher airflow and reliable breathing, setting a performance standard unseen in the
industry thus far. Fast-forward 60 years and the MK2 EVO 1 st stage regulator is still in production today with minor modifications.

High-Performance Propulsion

Two years later, SCUBAPRO revolutionized the way divers swim with the Jet Fin. Until 1965, the
accepted fin design actually opposed propulsion instead of enhancing it, leaving divers quickly fatigued after descending below the surface. After designing and redesigning alternatives, the team at SCUBAPRO introduced a solution to the problem with the innovative Jet Fin. Featuring wider, ventilated, and overlapping blades, this new design forced water through the vented fins on downstroke, providing relief on return and effectively eliminating resistance while maintaining power. This flagship product is still in production today and is a favorite among military and technical divers.

Stabilization, Simplified.

In 1978, SCUBAPRO set a new standard for BCD design with its Stabilizing (AKA “Stab”) Jacket. This
revolutionary wrap-around BCD combined the heads-up flotation of a BCD with the diving ease of a
back-flotation backpack, providing unequaled stability regardless of the diver’s position. It also featured three strategically placed dump valves, which allowed divers to dump air in any position.

Crunching Numbers

Just before the turn of the century, SCUBAPRO released the Aladin Air X dive computer. Improving upon the design of the Aladin and the Aladin Pro, the Air X was the first dive computer to calculate bottom time while measuring tank pressure with a radio transmitter instead of a hose.

Custom Comfort

Fast-forward to 2017, when SCUBAPRO researchers combined style and technology to create the
HYDROS PRO the most comfortable and customizable BCD on the market. Using innovative Molded
Monprene® that conforms to your body for superior comfort, the BCD creates a perfect fit for divers of all shapes and sizes. Add to that the option to change the color, fit, accessories, and even the weight system, the HYDROS PRO reset the industry standards for back-inflated BCDs.

Seeing the Future

One of the first of its kind, the revolutionary mask-mounted, hands-free dive computer Galileo HUD
places all of the necessary dive data at eye level. Released in 2019, this innovative take on traditional
dive computers provides divers with a floating, full-color display of all their data, providing unmatched freedom during bottom time for recreational and technical divers alike.

Continuing SCUBAPRO Innovation

After nearly 60 years of game-changing products, the SCUBAPRO team continues to hold the same drive to create high-quality gear that’s innovative in performance and durability. As with all of the Johnson Outdoors brands, SCUBAPRO continues to develop the most innovative and effective solutions for divers of all skill levels. Head over to Johnson Outdoors’ Outdoor Adventure Blog to learn about the innovative history behind the rest of the family of brands.