The MOD-1 utilizes two separately sealed cavities in a single FFM design. The Mask which acts exactly like an independently sealed dive mask, and a lower Breathing Pod which contains the mouthpiece; which can be used in Pod recovery and gas sharing emergencies, a dewatering one way valve and a hook and catch, release for sealing and releasing the Pod to the Mask.
Wireless or hardwired communications can be installed into the Mask and when communicating with other divers underwater or topside, the diver can simply talk normally as the microphone rests nearby the mouth. At the surface, with the Pod removed from the mask, communication is very clear as there is no need to talk through a mask to your buddy or topside support crew.
Switching gasses underwater or bailing out to an off-board system in the case of Rebreather use with the Hollis BOV Pod, is simple and straightforward because of the MOD-1's two chamber. The diver simply detaches the lower Breathing Pod and secures either a secondary Open Circuit Pod, or simply a second stage without a Pod attached. The Mask does not flood during this exchange, or when breathing off a second stage with no Pod attached! This dramatically increases safety and versatility over conventional one-piece designs where a bailout means momentarily losing breathing gas and the ability to see underwater. With the Hollis BOV Pod, bailing out to Open Circuit requires only flipping the CC/OC lever to Open Circuit mode. You do not lose critical time, communications or visibility, and you don't need to grab a bailout mask.