With the right training and the right equipment you can enjoy the excitement and beauty of scuba diving with a high degree of safety. While choosing your equipment can be a lot of fun, always keep in mind that you are buying a piece of life support equipment. Make your choice as though your life depends on it. This guide and other supporting pieces in this series can help you make the right selection.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND? Regardless of how often you plan to dive or how deep you plan to dive a couple of facts remain consistent. You are entering the ocean and are subject to conditions that are not always predictable. The better the equipment the more features it is likely to have to keep you safe and comfortable.
The better known brands by definition are more popular so it is likely that service and back up will be more readily available and you won’t find yourself with a product that disappears from the market leaving you without support.
The better known brands have a reputation to live up to and hence the quality and performance is paramount.

So, how much should you spend? You should buy the best equipment you can afford, over time the quality, added safety and comfort will more than justify the investment.

WHICH SYSTEM SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? Your Aquanaut Authorised Dealer is best able to help you choose the diving system that is right for you. This Selection Guide will help you form an opinion of what may be best for you, however only your local dealer can assess your needs and give you advice to make the right choice based on the type of diving you plan to do and the diving conditions you plan to dive.
 
Please ensure that you only buy scuba equipment from an Aquanaut Authorised Dealer. Your Aquanaut Authorised Dealer has the expertise to properly assess your needs. They will ensure that you get the correct fit and carry out proper pre-sale safety checks and assembly. Your Aquanaut Authorised Dealer will also ensure that continued after sales service is available.

WARNING: Products not purchased through authorised dealers within Australia, New Zealand or the South Pacific may not be covered by local warranty. Before making your investment please ensure you are dealing with an Aquanaut Authorised Dealer clearly displaying the following logo. Visit www.aquanaut.com.au for your nearest authorised dealer.

SO WHICH BRAND SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?The simple answer is that there is no one brand that is best in every category. That is why Aquanaut (Australasia’s largest distributor) has taken 25 years to assemble the world’s best brands under one roof, so that you can select a system that literally has the world’s leading brand in every category. The brands listed below are number one world wide in their specific category and pioneers in the development of scuba products. When you consider the cost of these products is similar to other brands why would you accept second best?

REGULATORS - AQUA LUNG / APEKS The Macquarie Dictionary - Aqualung – “A diver’s underwater breathing apparatus”

Rarely does a brand reach iconic status where the brand name is the accepted description for the product. All divers use an aqualung that regulates the pressure of the air they breathe; but smart divers use an Aqua Lung because they know that this brand was the first and its design and quality are inextricably intertwined with the long, rich history of scuba diving. Aqua Lung literally invented the sport of scuba diving and to this day is still the world’s number one scuba company. Aqua Lung manufacture regulators under two brands the - original name Aqua Lung and the brand of the UK subsidiary, Apeks. Because regulators are such an important category Aqua Lung have two separate engineering teams working constantly to make sure they have the best designs possible. While working separately the two companies products share critical features that will enhance performance so you are ensured of the easiest breathing regulators. Your regulator is responsible for delivering life sustaining air, so don’t compromise with second best - choose Aqua Lung / Apeks.

BCD’S - SEAQUEST SeaQuest is the world’s largest specialty BCD manufacturer. SeaQuest invented the modern day BCD design, the Advanced Design Vest (ADV), and have continued to lead the industry holding more patents than any other BCD manufacturer in the world. SeaQuest are renowned for building reliable and durable BCD’s with higher lift capacity (for increased safety). All SeaQuest BCD’s not only perform exceptionally well but they are the most comfortable and stylish designs available.

COMPUTERS - SUUNTO Suunto is the worlds largest dive computer manufacturer. They are one of the pioneers in dive computer manufacture and are renowned for introducing safety features such as the RGBM Dive Algorithm, Continuous Decompression and built in Safety Stop to name a few.

CAMERAS - SEA & SEA Digital cameras have made taking underwater images easy. If you are looking to create the ultimate dive system, top it off with a Sea & Sea camera. Sea & Sea is the world leader in specialised underwater photographic equipment.

TORCHES - UNDERWATER KINETICS Underwater Kinetics is the world leader in underwater lighting, with a huge range of lights that produce the best illumination in their class.

DRYSUITS - DUI Diving Unlimited International, is the recognised leader in drysuit and drysuit accessory manufacture. In the diving world, DUI craftsmanship is without equal. Every suit is handmade and treated as if it is being prepared for the deepest dive in the harshest conditions. DUI have a long-established and enviable reputation of working with and supplying to the US military.