FROG WEAR

hero-pic https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/hero-pic.jpg?sfvrsn=3da5aca3_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/FROG-WEAR
FROG WEAR https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/FROG-WEAR
01 May 2018 | TECHNOLOGY

FROG WEAR

Take a peek at what the elite frogmen of the Naval Diving Unit don when they enter the ocean's depths, in the first of a three-part series on everyday military gear.

// Story Ong Hong Tat 
// Photos Chai Sian Liang

Melayu 华文
English Melayu

1) Dive Mask 
Helps with vision underwater and provides some protection for the eyes against debris and other objects in the water.

2) Full Wetsuit 
For use in tropical waters. At 3mm thick, the suit provides some warmth, as well as protection against cuts from underwater hazards.

3) Buddy Line 
Used by a diver to tether himself to his buddy for safety. The brass piece at the end of the 1.5m-long line is referred to as an Inglefield clip, and is used to connect two buddy lines.

4) Gloves 
Its ultra-grippy surface provides traction for the diver's hands when grasping tools and adjusting hisdive gear. Also protects the diver's hands against cuts from underwater hazards.

5) Booties 
Made from the same neoprene material used in wetsuits. Apart from providing traction on the seabed, the booties protect the diver's feet from cuts.

6) Buoyancy Compensator 
Allows the diver to adjust his buoyancy in the water. This can function as a life jacket when needed.

7) Fins 
Worn over the booties, these fins may look cumbersome, but they amplify the diver's kicks underwater and allow him to swim faster, while enhancing agility and manoeuvrability. 

8) Navigation Board
Helps the diver navigate underwater. The highly legible ball compass in the centre gives the diver a sense of bearing when holding the device in both hands. The board also has a light-stick holder for poor-visibility conditions.

9) Knife
Every diver carries a sheathed knife strapped to the calf. Divers occasionally use the blade as a tool, hence the squared-off tip. 

10) FROGS rebreather
The Full Range Oxygen Gas System (FROGS) allows a diver to stay underwater for extended periods of time. A soda lime canister absorbs exhaled carbon dioxide, and the consumed gas is replaced with oxygen from an attached tank. The diver breathes through a mouthpiece connected to the hose and there are no visible bubbles when the diver exhales.

11) Depth Gauge 
Tells the diver how deep he is at any point of the dive.

12) Wrist Compass
When there are no other navigation aids, this helps a trained diver to navigate underwater.

13) Harness
Worn around the torso, it holds weight plates to counteract the human body's natural buoyancy. There are quick-jettison handles in case the diver needs to surface quickly in an emergency.  
 

Suggested Reading
SUITED UP FOR SUBMARINE ESCAPE TRAINING
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

Get an inside look at how the Navy drills its submariners on escape survival techniques, to prepare them for an emergency.

CYBER DEFENDERS TAKE ON NEW THREATS IN CLOUD AND AI IN NATIONAL EXERCISE
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

The third Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX) brings together cyber defenders from across Singapore to face the ever-evolving challenges of digital threats. 

Cover story
WELCOME TO CAMP TILPAL
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

How do you house some 6,000 people and feed them for three months? You build a pop-up “city” – complete with accommodations and the basic comforts of home – for the thousands of SAF soldiers who train annually in Queensland, Australia.

Cover story
FIGHTING AS ONE AT EXERCISE TRIDENT
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

Singapore’s army, navy and air force work together with Australian troops to capture targets in both jungle and urban warfare.

Cover story
THEY LIFT UP OUR BIG GUNS
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

Get up close with the men and machines of 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (24 SA), who provide a boost to our gunners to make sure they are always on time and on target.

COMMAND & STAFF COLLEGE GRADUANDS READY TO TAKE ON SENIOR LEADERSHIP ROLES
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

NS has left indelible memories for these SAF pioneers from the 8th Engineers Officer Cadet batch, who celebrate their 50th anniversary since they were commissioned in 1974.

Super Puma flight tales
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

Retired helicopter pilot MAJ (Ret) Robert Tan was among the first few batches of locally-trained Super Puma pilots. Sports car or smooth bus – guess which vehicle he likens the aircraft to?

Total Defence is a duty of every Singapore business
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

Having experienced the demanding commitments of National Service, LTC (NS) Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin and Mr Gaurav Keerthi share why it’s so important for every Singapore business to support their NSmen.

Feature
He scaled a volcano with OCS mates & wrote a book about NS
TECHNOLOGY
01 May 2018

LTC (NS) Leow Kah Shin and his NS buddies go on an annual “Exercise Longwalk” as a commitment to do something adventurous together.