How to Equip Yourself for Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is one of those brilliant sports in which, after you purchase your core equipment, the underwater environment is generally free.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Fins
• Certified Scuba Tanks
• Wet Suits
• Scuba Tanks
• Scuba Regulators
• Scuba Gear
• Buoyancy Compensators
• Dive Knife

Buy the Basics

1. Obtain mask, fins and snorkel - these are the first items any diver should buy. The mask must be tempered for pressure and include a nose enclosure. The fins should include a strap around the Achilles' tendon rather than a shoe enclosure - unless you plan to dive only in warm water, in which case the latter (pictured) is fine. Good snorkels have a purge valve.
2. Purchase neoprene gloves and booties for protection against the cold and possible abrasions or stings from underwater organisms.
3. Get a wet suit or dry suit, including a removable hood.

Buy the Heavy Stuff

4. Purchase a weight belt.
5. Get a buoyancy control device (BCD) - more popularly referred to as a buoyancy compensator (BC). Good ones have lots of neat hooks and pulleys.
6. Buy a tank - the most common hold 80 cubic feet and are made of aluminum.
7. Obtain a regulator - this setup must include the first stage (the part that attaches to the tank) and the second stage (the part from which you breathe).
8. Get an alternate regulator (often called the "octopus"). These should be brightly colored.
9. Buy a submersible pressure gauge (SPG).
10. Get a diving watch or underwater timer.

Buy the Fun Stuff

11. Purchase a diving knife.
12. Get an underwater writing slate.
13. Buy a diving computer.
14. Obtain a compass.
15. Purchase a dive light.

Tips & Warnings

• Before buying (and especially before diving with) used BCs, tanks, regulators, dry suits, pressure gauges or diving computers, always have a reputable dive shop check them thoroughly for defects or misuse.