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.
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Things You'll Need
- Fins
- Certified Scuba Tanks
- Wet Suits
- Scuba Tanks
- Scuba Regulators
- Scuba Gear
- Buoyancy Compensators
- Dive Knife
Instructions
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Buy the Basics
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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.
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2
Purchase neoprene gloves and booties for protection against the cold and possible abrasions or stings from underwater organisms.
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3
Get a wet suit or dry suit, including a removable hood.
Buy the Heavy Stuff
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4
Purchase a weight belt.
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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.
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6
Buy a tank - the most common hold 80 cubic feet and are made of aluminum.
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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).
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8
Get an alternate regulator (often called the "octopus"). These should be brightly colored.
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9
Buy a submersible pressure gauge (SPG).
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10
Get a diving watch or underwater timer.
Buy the Fun Stuff
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11
Purchase a diving knife.
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12
Get an underwater writing slate.
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13
Buy a diving computer.
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14
Obtain a compass.
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15
Purchase a dive light.
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1
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.
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Comments
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Love-Life
Oct 06, 2009
Note: when renting or buying used gear, if possible, always try and clean it with cleansing detergents made for scuba equipment and let thoroughly dry. Personal experience ...when I rented a wet suit for AOW certification, within 24 hours broke out in a major rash which needed antibiotics. Detergents can be purchased at your dive shop.
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Love-Life
Oct 06, 2009
Masks with purge valves are great also. Other emergency items, which we should always prepare for are: >>> Tank strobe light. >>> Signaling devices ~ whistle and inflatable tube. \ >>> Tank Bangers.
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Nov 22, 2005
Generally, this is a very well thought out and organized list. I would put the regulator higher up the list, and put the tank lower on the list. Your regulator is your lifeline, it's condition is likely to be better known (and controlled) if you own it yourself. Have it inspected and maintained annually. Owning your own regulator is better than rolling the dice and renting from a variety of dive shops. Not all of which may invest the same care for equipment as you might yourself. Tanks must be maintained as a matter of statute, it's almost as expensive to rent a filled tank as it is to have your own filled. When you take into account the costs of annual tank inspections and hydro-testing every five years (not to mention the difficulty transporting your own tanks if you fly to your dive destination), the relative benefit of owning your own tank fades very quickly.
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Nov 22, 2005
Diving is great, but don't jump in and buy all the cool stuff. It may not work for you. Try different BCs, weights, wet suits before you buy. When you know what works, keep a lookout for used equipment sales at dive shops; good deals need not be costly.
