Cristina Zenato

Cristina Zenato Instagram – “In the realm of the mermaid”
For each of the diving disciplines, I use different gear configurations. As in sharks, one size does not fit all, and sidemount and sidemount rebreather diving cannot work with sharks but are perfect for cave diving.
I never went on a piece of gear that didn’t serve a purpose for my diving. I remember years ago, I was asked why I wasn’t on a rebreather, that without one, I could not be considered a tech diver (a very narrow-minded attitude)
At the time, there was no readily available sidemount rebreather set up, and as such, a back mount rebreather would not fit within the cave and the scope of my use.
Only when I saw the Sidewinder did I find the correct tool for the job.
When picking gear, I use the 80% rule. If I am in certain conditions or locations for 80% of my diving, I choose the best tool for that scope. For the other 20%, I adapt and add small changes for the few times I need it.
Definitions-
Sidemount: divers carry tanks at their sides instead of on their backs, allowing a lower profile to fit in low ceilings and smaller areas.
Rebreather: a breathing apparatus that absorbs the carbon dioxide from the exhaled breath and allows rebreathing (recycling) of unused oxygen and inert content. Oxygen is added to replenish the amount metabolized by the user in different manners.
Open-circuit: breathing apparatus, where the exhaled gas is discharged directly into the environment, creating bubbles.
Cave diving photography session with my recently certified full cave diver, Jodie Chang.
Image by @kewinlorenzen with @isotta_underwater_housings @kissrebreathers @waterproofinternational @scubapro @fourthelementdive | Posted on 11/Feb/2024 19:55:16