Gear

Even when diving in the tropics, 3 mm wetsuits continue to be the exposure protection of choice for most divers. Check out these 11 models to find one that’s right for you.

Subgear’s new Apnea 1 five-mil is a unique wetsuit designed specifically for free diving. It comes with a nylon-lined interior so it’s comfortable against the skin plus easy to climb in and out of. However, its exterior surface is slick to repel water. The suit features a 360-degree O-ring-style neck seal and stretch panels under the arms and in the lower-back area to enhance range of motion. Even better, the back zipper runs diagonally rather than straight up and down the spine, which makes self-donning easy—those days of needing zip-up help from your dive buddy are gone forever.

• Start by giving your BC a good freshwater rinse to hose off any big chunks of sand and dirt.  • Fill a tub with fresh water, dunk the BC repeatedly, then leave it alone for a five-minute soak.  • Remove the BC from the tub and give it another hose rinse. Direct the water stream into the power inflator so the bladder fills with fresh water.  • Drain the bladder using the exhaust valves so their internal parts get a good flush.  

The T-120 Mini torch may be small in size, but it delivers quite a punch when it comes to illumination. Measuring only five-and-a-half inches in length, the T-120’s lens is made of tempered glass, the body is machined from a solid block of marine-grade aluminum and then anodized, and the battery compartment is double-O-ring-sealed. To activate the T-120, simply twist the end cap and 750 lumens of white-hot light burst from the 10-watt LED bulb. The torch is powered by a custom-made lithium ion battery that delivers about 70 minutes of burn time between charges.