Tried & Tested

It's in the bag

Mini B's C-Pro Microdive kit - Tied and Tested - Kit You Can Trust

The beauty of the C-Pro kit is in its packaging. Conventional scuba gear is both bulky and expensive, whereas the Microdive rucksack contains the lot - air bottle, buoyancy control device, regulator, high and low pressure hoses and the connectors. There are numerous models available from the Mini B, ranging from the Micro B with a 1.5lt tank to the Sport MKII that can take a 10lt tank.

While the Microdive course is geared to diving down to a maximum of 9m, the kit is capable of going down deeper if the wearer has received the necessary training. The limiting factor will be the size of the air tank. My C-pro came with a 5lt tank, which should be good for up to half an hour of shallow water diving. The kit weighs around 13kg, so while it's not exactly light it's a featherweight compare to conventional scuba gear.

The C-Pro comes with a single air source and tank gauge. Other models have an alternative air source and a depth gauge. The latter would make a useful addition to any microdive product as it is difficult to gauge how deep you are as a beginner, and you could easily get carried away and go deeper than you should.

The compact size of the kit makes it perfect for boaters, as space for non essential items is always tight. And the tank is enclosed in the rucksack, which means there is no chance of it bashing your boat, unlike with a traditional metal bottle. The price of the Mini B kit is also attractive when compared scuba kit, especially if it is going to be used occasionally.

While there are other products on the market aimed at shallow water use, the Mini B range stands out as it boasts buoyancy control. This is an important device for diver safety without which the weight of the kit could pull you down.

One great things about these kits is the ability to take them with you wherever you go, including abroad. If you embark on a charter holiday in warmer climes, the empty tank with the valv removed can be packed in your hold luggage while the rucksack containing your regulator and hoses can double up as your hand luggage. This is how I traveled to Egypt and neither the airlines, nor security, batted an eyelid at the unusual contents of my luggage.

If you are thinking of taking the plunge, you will need to consider some additional kit. A mask is a must as without it you won't be able to see a thing and a snorkel is advised for when you are at the surface. Fins will make light work of moving underwater, and some weight will be needed to overcome your natural buoyancy. How much weight depends on your size and what you are wearing. I needed around 10kg to overcome my buoyancy in a 3mm wetsuit, but if you intend on wearing a drysuit