You have just completed your open water course and now you are a certified diver. For a new diver, buying scuba gear is the final step, but if you’re newly certified, how are you supposed to know what scuba gear to buy? Fear not! We’re here to help.
At the start you will want to buy scuba gear that is cheap, easy to pack and makes a big difference to your dive (rental gear my not fit properly). These are the basics, and as you continue diving you can then invest in other equipment that make your dive more comfortable.
The Basics
Scuba Mask
A perfect fitting mask makes all the difference to your diving experience. Additionally its small and lightweight and easy to pack
To test for a good watertight fitting mask:
- Look up at the ceiling and place the mask on your face without using the strap. It should rest evenly with no gaps.
- Look forward. Place the mask on your face without using the strap and gently inhale through your nose. The mask should seal easily on your face.
- Adjust the strap and put it on your face. Make sure the nose pocket doesn’t touch your nose and that the skirt feels comfortable on your upper lip.
Fins
The experience of diving is so much more enjoyable when you can move effortlessly through the water. The right pair of fins helps you move through the water with more speed and agility than you would otherwise have managed.
Not to mention, fins are considered more affordable compared to other scuba gears such as regulators and BCDs, making it a great purchase for new divers.
When picking your fins look for a snug fit that doesn’t pinch your toes or bind the arches of your feet. If you can’t wiggle your toes, the fins are too small.
Wetsuit
When it comes to diving and maintaining a comfortable temperature under the water for long periods of time, you’re going to want a dependable wetsuit. Typically made from neoprene rubber, wetsuits are effective at locking a thin layer of water alongside your skin, which acts as padding and maintains a comfortable body temperature while you explore under the water.
Wetsuits suits should fit snugly without restricting movement or breathing. Insure that the suit is not too loose, however. Gaps at the arm, leg, crotch and neck allow water to circulate and defeat the suit’s ability to prevent heat loss.
The Comfort Set
BCD
The Buoyancy control device holds your gear in place, lets you carry a tank with minimal effort, floats you at the surface and allows you to achieve neutral buoyancy at any depth. Before you try on BCDs, slip into the exposure suit you’ll wear most often. Look for a BCD that fits snugly but doesn’t squeeze you when inflated.
Dive Computer
Some of the most essential pieces of dive equipment are a depth gauge, submersible pressure gauge, and a compass. Dive computers are great tools since they combine all 3.
Regulators
A regulator converts the high-pressure air in your tank to ambient pressure so you can breathe it. A regulator must also deliver air to other places, such as your BC inflator and alternate second stage.
When purchasing a regulator look for a comfortable mouthpiece and select hoses of the right length for you.
