Carleton MK16

The MK16 was the first of the BioMarine/Carlton rebreather family to be widely adopted by the USN EOD mine disposal teams and subsequently by a number of foreign navies (e.g. the UK Royal Navy - as the 'CDBA', and the Australian Navy as the SM1600). The MK16 was anti-magnetic, had spherical inconel cylinders that folded outside the case for easy access and maintenance. It was equipped with a full face mask with incorporated status LEDs. It had a substantially larger case size and was difficult to manoeuvre in currents.

The following is an Extract from Chapter 17 of the US Navy's Dive Manual (Rev 6):

"The MK16 MOD 0 is a 0.75 ata constant partial pressure of oxygen (ppO2 ) closed circuit mixed-gas underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) primarily employed by Naval Special Warfare (SPECWAR) forces. The U.S. Navy’s use of mixed gas closed circuit UBAs was developed to satisfy the operational requirements of SPECWAR combat swimmers and EOD divers. This equipment combines the mobility of a free-swimming diver with the depth advantages of mixed gas. The term closed circuit refers to the recirculation of 100 percent of the mixed-gas breathing medium and results in bubble-free operation, except during ascent or inadvertent gas release. This capability makes closed circuit UBAs well suited for special warfare operations. The maximum working limits for the MK16 MOD 0 UBA are 150 feet of seawater (fsw) when N2 O2 (air) is used as a diluent or 200 fsw when 84/16 HeO2 mix is used as a diluent. "