Garmin advances dive safety technology with revolutionary Descent S1 Smart Buoy

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) has unveiled the Descent S1 Buoy, a groundbreaking diving safety device priced at $2,499.99. This innovative buoy leverages Garmin's proprietary SubWave sonar networking to enable communication and tracking between surface crews and up to eight underwater divers within a 100-meter range.

The device integrates with compatible Garmin dive computers, allowing divers to navigate back to the buoy, exchange preset messages with the surface crew, and monitor vital data like tank pressure. The 2-pound waterproof buoy features a rechargeable battery lasting up to 15 hours and connects to the Garmin Dive app via Wi-Fi for comprehensive dive monitoring and post-dive analysis.

Positive

• Revolutionary safety technology enabling surface-to-diver communication and tracking
• Extended communication range up to 100 meters for diver-to-diver messaging
• Comprehensive monitoring capabilities including tank pressure and diver location tracking
• Long battery life of 15 hours suitable for weekend dive trips

Negative

• High price point of $2,499.99 may limit accessibility
• Requires compatible Garmin dive computers for full functionality
• Limited range of 100 meters from the buoy
• Signal can be affected by surface conditions, waves, and diver position

Insights

Marine Technology Expert

Garmin's new Descent S1 Buoy represents a significant innovation in dive safety technology with unique underwater communication capabilities.

Garmin's introduction of the Descent S1 Buoy marks a significant advancement in dive safety technology. This innovative device creates a communication bridge between divers and surface crews using SubWave sonar networking technology, addressing a critical gap in underwater safety systems.

The product's key technical differentiator is its ability to facilitate two-way communication between divers and surface crews up to 100 meters away. This represents a substantial improvement over traditional dive communication methods which are typically limited to visual signals or tethered communication systems.

From a technical perspective, the integration with Garmin's ecosystem of dive computers creates a comprehensive safety network. The ability to track multiple divers simultaneously, monitor tank pressures, and exchange preset messages offers unprecedented situational awareness for dive operations. The navigation assistance feature, showing divers the direction back to the buoy, addresses one of the most common safety concerns in diving - diver disorientation.

At $2,499.99, the price point positions this as professional-grade equipment targeted at commercial operations, dive instructors, and serious enthusiasts rather than casual divers. The 15-hour battery life is strategically sufficient for a weekend of diving activities.

What's particularly noteworthy is how this technology transforms the role of surface support crews from passive observers to active safety monitors who can intervene when necessary. This represents a paradigm shift in dive operations management and could potentially influence industry safety standards and protocols moving forward.

Track, monitor and communicate with those above – and below – the surface for greater situational awareness while exploring the depths

OLATHE, Kan., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --/July 15, 2025/PR Newswire – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the Descent^™ S1 Buoy, a revolutionary addition to the Garmin dive lineup that helps strengthen diver communication and enhances peace of mind for divers and crew. Using Garmin's unique SubWave^™ sonar networking, the buoy integrates seamlessly with Garmin dive computers to help crew members on the surface track and monitor up to eight divers—and exchange preset messages with those using a compatible dive computer and Descent T2 transceiver. For increased situational awareness, connected divers can also see the distance and direction to the buoy and receive clear guidance to help them know where to surface¹.

"Garmin is focused on creating essential products designed to help keep divers safe. The groundbreaking Descent S1 buoy adds game-changing communication, navigation and safety capabilities between divers and their surface crew, making it the next must-have piece of kit for dive teams, charter operations, instructors and more."
–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing

Advancing the diver experience

• Find my buoy: Connected divers can see the distance and direction back to the buoy – whether it's tethered in place, on the anchor line of a boat or on the boat's tag line during a drift dive – and use it to navigate back to the buoy².
• Diver-to-surface messaging: When using a connected Descent dive computer, divers can tell those on the surface where they are, where they're going, if they need to come up early and their remaining decompression time¹.
• Extended diver-to-diver messaging: While beneath the surface, the buoy extends the range of diver-to-diver messaging capabilities. Divers with compatible Descent dive computers can exchange preset messages with one another up to 100 meters away¹.
• Post-dive review: After returning to the surface, view underwater heatmaps on the Garmin Dive^™ smart-device app to see where explorations took place.

Revolutionizing the diving experience from the surface

Topside crews can better track divers below the surface when using both the Descent S1 Buoy and Garmin Dive app.

• Remote diver monitoring: Track tank pressures, diver location and depth, and more when divers are equipped with a compatible dive computer and Descent T2 transceiver. Automatic alerts can also let topside crew members know when a diver's tank pressure is low².
• Surface-to-diver messaging: Topside crews can exchange preset messages with connected Descent dive computers underwater, allowing them to communicate with divers and send out a diver recall if the dive needs to be cut short.
• Diver location tracking: Track the approximate range to each diver in the SubWave sonar network—up to 100 meters away from the buoy².

VIDEO: See how the Descent S1 Buoy can keep divers and topside crew connected 

Rugged and connected

The compact Descent S1 Buoy weighs just 2 pounds and has an IPX8 water rating to 10 meters. The rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 15 hours of battery life so it can be used during a typical weekend dive trip before needing to be recharged. To keep divers connected to their topside crew, the buoy uses Wi-Fi^® technology to wirelessly connect to the Garmin Dive app, up to 60 meters away.

Available now, the Descent S1 Buoy has a suggested retail price of $2,499.99.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminoutdoor on social, or follow our blog.  

¹ Some compatible dive computers can receive, but not send, messages. Conditions such as surface, waves, chop, objects and diver position can obstruct the signal and reduce range; for more details, visit Garmin.com/subwave.
² Conditions such as surface, waves, chop, objects and diver position can obstruct the signal and reduce range; for more details, visit Garmin.com/subwave.

About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark and Descent, SubWave and Garmin Dive are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983), and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2025 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). Copies of such Form 10-K and Form 10-Q are available at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Stephanie Kelner and Adrieanna Norse
913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com

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SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

What is the price of Garmin's new Descent S1 Buoy (NYSE: GRMN)?

The Garmin Descent S1 Buoy is priced at $2,499.99 and is currently available for purchase.

What are the key features of Garmin's Descent S1 Smart Buoy?

The key features include tracking up to 8 divers, surface-to-diver messaging, tank pressure monitoring, diver location tracking up to 100 meters, and integration with Garmin dive computers through SubWave sonar networking.

How long does the battery last on the Garmin Descent S1 Buoy?

The Descent S1 Buoy features a rechargeable lithium battery that provides up to 15 hours of battery life, sufficient for a typical weekend dive trip.

What is the range of the Garmin Descent S1 Buoy's communication system?

The buoy can track and communicate with divers up to 100 meters away using SubWave sonar networking, and connect to the Garmin Dive app via Wi-Fi up to 60 meters away.

Is the Garmin Descent S1 Buoy waterproof?

Yes, the Descent S1 Buoy has an IPX8 water rating to 10 meters and weighs just 2 pounds.