Episode 221 Narked at 90 Brent Hudson & John Routley

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian chat to John Routley and Brent Hudson, the names behind Narked at 90. Brent and John are the founders of Narked at 90 and discuss their transition from hobbyist divers to leaders in the technical diving industry. They describe a history of innovating bespoke equipment, such as rebreathers and high-intensity strobes, often born from personal necessity and a drive for engineering mastery. They both have experienced several "sketchy" situations during their extensive technical diving careers,. Their narrowest escapes involve equipment failures, entanglements, and high-pressure decision- making at depth. These experiences shaped their ethos that "copying skips understanding" and led them to focus on creating highly reliable, redundant equipment for the technical diving community Beyond diving, the duo detail their significant contributions to military defense projects and their vital role in producing ventilator control systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation highlights the importance of rigorous equipment testing, the evolution of diving electronics, and the value of recovering maritime artifacts to preserve social history. Ultimately, the founders advocate for professional mentorship and the continuous pursuit of safety within the niche global diving community. The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice. 💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[e-mail] 🔗 Other Links covered in this episode: Snorklefest 25 July 2026 at Springlakes Call for more information New Dive Site Dudley Dolphins Lodge Farm Reservoir Netherton Lundy Diving Female only Swim with the seals Find out more Visit the European Dive Show Look at the website Our Library of Diving Books Amazon Book Store 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com 🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127