Absolute best cave diving equipment

[MORGAN]

Where can I get some of these? I'm getting a little bored with sardines.

Mike

[Mike Edmonston]

I am searching for the absolute best cave diving equipment that money can buy, if it was not a concern.

I want to know what drysuit, wetsuit, underclothing, BCD, back plate, harness, fins, mask, torches, sensors, computers, communication gear, rebreather, etc...
Which rebreather is being used by navy rescue divers and SEALS? I heard Draeger, but which model?

I am trying to obtain a number of opinions on this topic! Your input is much appreciated.
Lastly, I want to get my friend certified for cave diving who is recommended in the United States for instruction and why?

Best,

Chad

Hi Chad,

The absolute best piece of equipment for cave diving is the head on your shoulders!

Seriously.. Everything else is just preference. Sidemount, Backmount, Rebreathers, etc... That comes down to preference.

The reason that you are getting silly answers is because your question is along the lines of "What is the absolute pretties color in the whole world"

Everybody has a different opinion.

Figure out what kind of diving you want to do, and get the tools for the job. That's it.

As far as military rebreathers, I dove 2 SSBN's and one SSN while in the Navy. They are fairly complex systems, but the training is free. All you need is a signature and 6 years of your life.

[Cindy]

Hi Chad,

The absolute best piece of equipment for cave diving is the head on your shoulders!

Thanks Mike, best answer in the book. Used far too little. LOL, Cindy

[Oceanus]

Q) what's the best car? the best food? the best color? ...

A) It Depends

educate yourself. use the search function (and Google) to brush up on the equipment options. Get training and experience so you know what's best for you (and be able to explain your decisions)

[swadiver]

Mark 16 mixed gas CCR made by Carleton Technologies about $70000, The Draeger LAR V O2 rebreather is out there if your into shallow water cave diving only

[Jay]

If you can't monitor your gas supply, you can't dive with me in a cave.

Yes, during orientation for my OW classes I used to ask everyone if they ever ran out of gas on the highway/freeway. If they answered yes, I told them that diving may not be the sport for you!

Chad, you got a lot of good answers and a lot of good links. Plus you are subscribed to the CDF (that's the best piece of equipment other then your head).

If you hook up with an LDS/Instructor PM folks for opinions about what they tell you.

[Nix]

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you Kelly. I believe the right hand is in fact the superior piece of communication equipment. I find it allows for greater dexterity for those really complex messages. ;o)

[aainslie]

This whole thread really cracks me up.

I have:

A rebreather

Three sidemount rigs

Two backmount rigs

Two single tank setups (I still occasionally use a recreational BC).

Etc etc. I use ALL of them. Depends on the dive.

It's just funny to me to think that someone thinks there's a "best" piece of dive gear.

For a comparison, look at Formula 1. I know you guys don't follow it much, but much of the car changes EVERY RACE depending on temperatures, max speed, corners etc.

ONE piece of advice - fancier is not necessarily better, especially in the caves. This is a serious KISS environment. I use Aqualung Titan regs for example, after endless hassles with my technologically fantascit but ridiculously finnicky Apeks 200's. The Titans cost 1/2 as much and are far more reliable.

[ResQCaveDiver]

Mark 16 mixed gas CCR made by Carleton Technologies about $70000, The Draeger LAR V O2 rebreather is out there if your into shallow water cave diving only

Where may I find more info on Carleton Technologies and the Mark 16?

[swadiver]

see your local US Navy recruiter. he will be glad to tell you how to find out a LOT more about it