When considering underwater sensor networks, due consideration must be given to the possible challenges that may be encountered in the subsurface environment. Continuous node movement and 3d topology are major issues posed by the host conditions. Further, some of the underwater applications, including detection or rescue missions, tend to be ad hoc in nature, some requiring not only network deployment in short times, but also without any proper planning. In such circumstances, the routing protocols should be able to determine the node locations without any prior knowledge of the network. Not only this, the network also should be capable of reconfiguring itself with dynamic conditions in order to provide an efficient communication environment. Moreover, a significant issue in selecting a system is establishing a relation between the communication range and data rate with the specific conditions. A system designed for deep water may not be suitable for shallow water or even when configured for higher data rates when reverberation is present in the environment (Chitre et al., 2008). Manufacturer's specifications of maximum data rates mostly are only useful for establishing the upper performance bound, but in practice these are not reachable with specific conditions. Users who are well funded have resorted to purchasing multiple systems and testing them in particular environment to determine if they will meet their needs. An international effort for standardizing the tests for acoustic communications is required, but it is not so simple as private organizations or even government institutes performing such comprehensive tests tend not to publish their results