Tech dive gear will allow you to go deeper under the water. These equipment has features that are not offered in standard recreational diving equipment. Backplate/wing and sidemount BCDs are some examples. Advanced regulators, tanks, computers and computers are essential if you want to dive in technical environments. In this article, you'll learn what to look for in the right gear for your needs.
Equipment for technical diving
For the most part, Tech diving gear is modular, which means it's easy to customize to your needs. A tech BCD consists of a backplate made from steel or aluminum, a harness and an air bladder. D-Rings allow you to adjust the harness to suit your body. You also have the option of wings, which come in many sizes and configurations. You can even use just one tank to tailor your gear for that tank.
Types of gear
There are many differences between recreational and technical diving equipment, and the equipment for each is specific to the type of diving. Tech divers will often require special backplates/wings or sidemount BCDs, while recreational divers might use a standard BCD. They need sophisticated regulators, tanks, and computers. This article will examine the differences between them and discuss what you should look for. You will be able to make an informed decision about the gear that is best for you.
Configuration of gear
Tech divers are often required to use different gear. Despite the differences in the configuration of tech dive gear, they all serve the same purpose: to keep the diver comfortable during the dive. Below are some suggestions for gear configuration. It is important to keep in mind that gear configurations should be simple but effective. For example, a good regulator will have a high performance rating. The density of gas will increase when diving deep so it is important that the equipment can withstand this change.
Computers
The most advanced tech dive computer features larger displays and HD screens. These computers can be used for any type of diving from recreational to technical. Some models have digital compasses and hoseless air integration. This information is crucial for safety as it can lead to diving computers being inaccurate if they don’t calculate the decompression factor in a particular way.
Thermal protection for cold-water divers
Special Operations Forces personnel use neoprene totsuits for training and operations. These suits provide only a fraction of the insulation they offer when they are on the surface. They also only provide about 1/4 of the insulation when they are 100 feet deep. To address this problem, new wetsuit constructions with R-values in the single digits are being developed. These suits are innovative and combine multi-layer constructions, with stop-gap substances, to reduce thermal friction.
Rebreathers
You've likely wondered what the differences are between traditional regulators and rebreathers if you have made the decision to switch from open circuit to scuba gear. Rebreathers are more difficult to maintain and require more diving time than open circuit regulators. They also have more potential for harm. As with all dive equipment, it's worth spending time researching the benefits of rebreathers before buying one.
Sidemount BCDs
The STEALTH2.0 was the first sidemount BCD designed for technical divers. This backmount harness comes with an integral TEC wing, which provides extra security during deep dives or decompression stops. The bottom-mounted low-pressure inflator hose is another innovation from the manufacturer. The STEALTH2.0 can be ordered in single-, double-, or dual tank configurations.