KITTED-UP

AP Diving Commando Web : www . apdiving . com RRP : £ 451.56

XDEEP Project Wing System Web : www . nautilus . uk RRP : £ 529

Scubapro Hydros Pro Web : www . scubapro . com RRP : £ 830

There are plenty of options to consider when choosing a buoyancy control device ( BCD ). The conventional jacket-style BC is still a very popular choice with its lower-located air chambers providing good all-round lift , especially so at the surface .

Alternatively , the classic combination of a basic backplate , harness and wing is both uncomplicated and liberating to use . With the chest kept free of clutter and the rear buoyancy cell perfect for horizontal trim it ’ s ideal for single cylinder or twinset use . A stainless steel backplate will also cut down on the amount of lead worn around the waist .

There are also many variations on these themes . Backplate and wing setups offer padded shoulder straps , pockets and integrated weight systems , while hybrid jacket / wing designs look to provide rear buoyancy in the water and lower lift for a more upright position at the surface .

The mask is your window into the underwater world . There are two styles of mask to consider : single lens or dual lens . These can have a rigid frame around the lens / lenses . or alternatively be of frameless construction .

The frameless style is usually lower volume and therefore easier to clear . It can also be stowed away quite easily than its more bulky sibling . Fit is paramount – a comfortable , flexible silicone skirt is essential . While the single lens mask normally provides a greater range of vision , the dual lens version lends itself better to prescription inserts for those who may require them .

Beaver Atomic Web : www . beaversports . co . uk RRP : £ 49.99

Scubapro Zoom Web : www . scubapro . com RRP : £ 65

Fourth Element Seeker Web : www . fourthelement . com RRP : £ 130

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