A Beginners Guide To SCUBA GearA Beginners Guide To SCUBA Gear

Join MyOAN!

Web Mail

Customer Service

Key Word Search:

Home >> Scuba >> Beginners Guide To Scuba Gear

<< Back

A Beginners Guide To SCUBA Gear

As a new diver, you will usually rent equipment for the first few dives and then the bug hits and your off to buy your own equipment. Renting from different dive shops or outfitters in the beginning will allow you to try a variety of equipment to begin to zero in on the type and style you prefer. Be sure when the bug hits that you remeber in the rush to keep a few things in mind. Choosing the right equipment for your budget and your diving needs will let you enjoy this exciting sport longer.

Your first investment is in a quality mask, fins, snorkel, and weight belt. These are the fundamental basics and usually the least expensive of the gear.

The mask you select is important because you want to see what is going on under the water. Choose a mask that fits your face and forms a good seal. You should have learned how to fit a mask in your basic scuba diving course. If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you may also want to get a prescription mask. Trying several styles and types will help you find the right one for you
Your fins should be sized as to fit your feet as well as a pair of shoes. Do not settle on fins that are too small or too big. The wrong size fins will only hinder your swimming capabilities. If you plan to wear booties, be sure and try the fins on while wearing the booties. This will ensure a good fit.
The optimum length for a snorkel is 30 c.m. Several varieties and designs are available, but the basic function of a snorkel is to enable you to breathe easily at the surface without raising your head from the water.
Weight belts are also important as a good foundation. They help you maintain buoyancy. Some people need them while snorkeling while others do not.

Next, you will want a suit that fits you. Water is a great conductor of heat. Depending on the water temperature where you dive, you will need either a wet suit , semi-dry suit, or fully dry suit. Wet suits are best used in warmer waters, while dry suits are more suited for colder waters. The suits come in all sizes, even children's sizes. It is best for you to try on the suit to find the one that best fits your needs.

After choosing a suit, you may want to purchase a regulator and BC (buoyancy compensator) vest. Your dive instructor is an excellent source for advice on these two items. The regulator is expensive and an extremely important piece of equipment. (It carries the air you need to breath from your cylinder.) It should have a gauge and second mouthpiece. BC's vary in how much buoyancy they have. A BC is essential to neutral buoyancy. Different types of BCs work for different divers. Be sure and spend time looking at various styles and models to find the one right for you.

Lastly, you will need a way to measure your time and depth under water. You may want to use a dive watch or a dive computer. A watch offers a cheaper solution than a computer, but a computer is extremely accurate. You will have to carefully consider your decision to purchase a watch or a computer. Other dive accessories you can add include an underwater light, a knife, a compass and a surface marker bouy (SMB).

A good quality mask, snorkel, weight belt and fins will get you started. The rest of the equipment will come in time. The more diving experience you get, the more you will know what type of equipment you want and need.