Mask

• Low volume = easier to clear vs. high volume more to clear
• Purge vs. non-purge masks – Easier to clear water but can make nose a little sore
• Lens Coating

• UV – helps you see at the surface and protect your eyes
• Color corrective – enhance underwater view, but may effect video/photography
• RX correction – stick-on for close up, drop-in lenses for help like getting readers or fully ground perfect RX to see the best

• Comfort Strap – Keeps hair from getting tangled

Snorkel

• “J” snorkel = simplest, but hardest to clear
• Purge snorkel = drain valve on bottom decreases effort dramatically
• Semi-dry = same as purge plus wave guard on top to prevent wave spill in
• Dry = auto closing snorkel to keep water out, but also has purge function as well!

Fins

• Traditional = average all around performance lower cost
• Split = greater efficiency (30% lower drag) higher cost sacrifice some power
• Hinge/spring = Recoup some energy with spring higher cost maintain more power

Boots

• Mainly protect feet from rubbing and walking on rough terrain
• Heavier thickness will provide more thermal value
• Soles vary for environmental change – i.e. rough shore entries/exits

• Skins / Rash Guards – Provide sun, sting and abrasion protection, but no thermal value or buoyancy
• Fabrics with membrane layer ie. Lavacore – Provide sun, sting and abrasion protection with thermal value, but no buoyancy
• Thin neoprene .5 – 3 mm shorty & jumpsuit – Provide warm water thermal protection, and buoyancy; Shorty less warmth and protection, jumpsuit more warmth and protection
• 4 – 5 mm Neoprene suits – Provide more warmth for cool to warm water (74 – 82 degree range)
• 6.5 mm and greater suit – Provide cold water diving (52 – 76 degree range)
• Drysuit – Neoprene vs Shell: Depending on water temp. you add thermal layers (28 – 80 degree range); Requires training. More buoyancy control required with more weight needed

Primary Regulator with 1st Stage

• Unbalanced – less expensive, but at a lower performance (harder to breath at depth)
• Balanced – more expensive but allows for easier breathing with lower tank pressure or deeper depths

Alternate Air Source

• Traditional alternate air source on right side
• Integrated alternate air source built in to low pressure inflator
• Redundant alternate air source – completely separate tank and regulator

Analog Console

• Lowest cost option
• Can serve as a backup system for a computer console

Computer Console Configuration

• Non air integrated – stand along computer with no air integration
• Air integrated on hose – air integration through on hose connection
• Air integrated hose-less – air integration through wireless transmitter

Algorithm Types

• Pelagic – middle of the road, great for novice divers 1-3 dives a day with average to low work loads & shorter trips
• Micro-Bubble – great for divers with heavier loads and/or colder water, 3-5 dives a day with heavier work loads & longer trips!