Popular Science USA – July-August 2019

POPSCI.COM • FALL 2019 33

STARTER KIT OCEANS COVER ROUGHLY 70 PERCENT OF THE PLANET, AND

that water teems with life. Exploring this other world requires special equip-

ment. You can rent the big stuff like an air tank, regulator, and dive com-

puter, but you’ll want a few essentials in your personal kit. Suit up with these

items, and you’ll be ready to dive into the deep or snorkel along the shore.

DIVE

LOW

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Mask

There’s no point in diving

if you can’t see the sights.

The Tusa Freedom One

Pro features a reflection-

resistant coating that

improves color and enhances

contrast. The soft silicone

gasket ensures a tight seal,

and an ergonomic strap

holds it firmly against the

curves of your noggin.

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Snorkel

Dives shallower than 12 feet

don’t require a complex air

system. The Mares Rebel

Splash lets you breathe

without taking your eyes

off the show below. The

corrugated tube flexes for

maximum maneuver ability,

and a guard at the tip keeps

you from sucking down

splashed seawater.

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Wetsuit

The 5 mm thick neoprene

Cressi Otterflex traps and

warms a thin layer of water

around your body to insulate

you in the chilly, dark depths.

It will keep you toasty down

to 59 degrees. Reinforced

knees and shoulders resist

abrasion, while flexible arm

and torso panels don’t hin-

der your movement.

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Fins

Hanging out with the fishes

requires underwater pro-

pulsion; bare feet aren’t too

effective, and you're carrying

heavy gear. The 24-inch, stiff

plastic blades and rubber ribs

of the Aqua Lung Stratos

3 make for swift swimming,

and the snug foot pockets

hug your tootsies to prevent

dangerous cramping.

by Rob Verger / photograph by Brian Klutch

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