Comments on: How to Equip Yourself for Scuba Diving

on 11/22/2005 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.

on 11/22/2005 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.