Chad,
I think that you forgot about the invention of the "shell" drysuits about 25 years ago- or maybe the water was so warm by you it didn't make a difference.
In the northern half of the country divers suddenly found themselves able to stay in the water much longer than normal becuase they didn't freeze out and suck their tanks dry. DCS went up shortly there after as a result- at least according to the diving Doc's in this area that were putting on the DAN seminars at the time. In the past the divers were spared injury, of not knowing how to properly work a dive table, by simply freezing out and not pushing theselves. Once easier to use drysuits came along the rate went up.
When mixed gases were first introduced, without the proper training to go along with them, we had people getting bent, pretty badly, up here by doing some really stupid stuff- how about wearing a set of double independents with air in one tank and trimix in the other.
Any time a new tool comes along and allows you to go deeper/longer people will push their limits/luck with it. Freediving is no different.
I am interested in how many dives you can get out of a 4, or 6, cuft. tank. Also wondering why you didn't design it as more of a vest than a belt? I know legs are heavier and this trims you out better on the bottom; however, a small vest, like those found on fancy sail boats these days, would be both streamlined and allow for head out of the water positioning when the diver hit the surface.
Just my $0.02
Jon
