Diving Equipment Used by Navy SEALs

The Navy SEALs are elite members of the United States Navy's special operations forces, based on land, sea and air. The force is trained to fight both above and below the water, but is best known for its underwater capabilities. Specialized diving equipment enables the SEALs to work effectively in both marine and freshwater combat situations.

1) WETSUITS: There are two standard wetsuits used by the Navy SEALs. One is a camouflage wetsuit for combat divers. The second military wetsuit is black with a horizontal front zipper and a hood.

2) BOOTS: Navy SEALs wear different types of diving boots depending on the operation they are currently in. Standard diving boots have a rounded toe design with heel and toe support.

3) SCUBA GEARS: Navy SEALs use self-contained underwater breathing apparatus for scuba or standard diving. Divers carry bulky air tanks on their backs. SCUBA gear uses an open-circuit system, meaning the diver bleeds air into the surrounding water. This creates bubbles, which is a drawback of the SCUBA system because bubbles can give away the diver's location.

4) REBREATHERS: A rebreather is a small, closed-circuit breathing system that does not expel air into the water. Navy SEALs use two types of rebreathers. The LAR V Draeger is powered by 100 percent oxygen, and the device filters carbon dioxide from exhaled air. However, the device has a maximum depth of 70 feet, much less than scuba equipment. The MK 15 and MK 16 closed-circuit mixed-gas rebreathers are similar to the Draeger, but the enhanced gas mix allows divers to reach depths of approximately 1,800 feet.