DIY: Scuba Gear

Diving independently can be rewarding.

Diving independently with a buddy can be fun and rewarding, but it's essential all aspects of the dive and emergency procedures are planned properly.

Diving independent of a recognized dive center carries potentially greater reward, but also greater risk, and you are responsible for your safety as well as your buddy's, something that dive centers typically would facilitate.

Plan the dive, and dive the plan!

Things You'll Need

• Dive mask
• Snorkel
• Buoyancy control device (BCD)
• Dive suit (wet suit; semi-dry suit; dry suit)
• Dive fins
• Torch
• Knife
• Surface marker buoy (SMB)
• Dive computer
• Dive tables
• Dive regulator
• First stage valves (connecting valve to air cylinder)
• Air cylinder (optional as they can be sourced locally)
• Dive certification cards (essential)
• Slate (to write underwater)
• Medical records (recommended for all parties)
• First aid kit including oxygen supply
• Contact numbers for emergency services

Instructions

Select Your Dive Site

1. 

   Obtain Information about dive sites.

   Search the Internet and books to obtain information before selecting dive sites that are suitable for your team's experience and training.

   Consider aspects like: how to get there; the hazards associated with the site; what is needed to dive the site and is the team trained to dive there?

   Call dive centers near your dive sites and obtain information from dive professionals.

2. 

   Are you adequately trained?

   Assess whether your team is adequately trained to dive at your selected site.

   Be honest about your team's abilities, and if any further training or refresher dives are required, book them.

   If in doubt, consult a dive center near your intended dive site and utilize their advice.

3. 

   Do you have appropriate equipment?

   Establish what equipment is required for specific sites and undertake training in its use if necessary.

   Select a dive suit that is fit for purpose. Water temperatures change dramatically between sites and while a wet suit may be perfectly adequate in tropical waters, it will be inadequate in cold waters.

   Get trained in the use of your dive suit as the dynamic of using a dry suit, as opposed to a wetsuit, are very different.

4. 

   Equipment Inventory

   Compile a list of equipment needed for the specific sites you intend to visit.

   Check equipment service records and warranties and if necessary get your kit serviced by a registered dive center.

   Items that should be regularly checked and serviced include: regulators (breathing device); first stage valves (air supply from cylinder); hoses and connectors to suits and BCD; dive cylinders, and gauges.

5. 

   The right vehicle is needed to transport scuba gear.

   Establish whether you have the right vehicle to get you to your intended site.

   Transport equipment safely, especially full air cylinders, they are meant to be stowed securely to prevent them from falling abruptly from vehicle movement.

   Consider if a boat is necessary to get you to your intended dive site and how much it costs to hire one with a trained skipper, if necessary.

6. 

   Emergency Planning

   Consider what you need and need to do in an emergency.

   Make a contact list of emergency services in the area of your dive site; looking for emergency numbers after an accident may be too late.

   Get properly trained in first aid and familiarize yourself with emergency procedures associated with scuba diving.

   Inform loved ones of your intentions and return times; it may be obvious, but many fail to undertake the most obvious things.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your equipment is regularly serviced and warranted.

• Get properly trained in the use of your equipment and for the nature of the site(s) your team intend to visit.

• Keep a dive log.

• Diving can be dangerous and even fatal if proper protocols are not followed. If you are not properly trained through a professional dive center, do not dive.

• Visit your doctor prior to diving and check your suitability to dive.

• Diving independently can be rewarding, but dive centers offer the added benefit of safety that many take for granted.

References

• Professional Association of Dive Instructors
• British Sub Aqua Club
• Scuba Schools International