Choosing Scuba Gear for the Beginning Diver

As a new diver, you should purchase certain equipment prior to your training.  This should include your mask, fins, snorkel, compass and a good underwater watch.  The rest of your gear you will usually rent.  Choosing the right equipment is important and you will learn what you need as you dive more and talk with other divers.

Masks

Your mask is important since it is the key to your view of the underwater world.  You will want to choose a mask that fits your face and forms a seal.  You do this by placing the mask on your face, without the strap over your head, and breathing in and while holding your breath.  If the mask seals tightly to your face and does not fall off it will work well for you.  If you wear prescription glasses, check with the dive shop or the doctor that you received your glasses from to determine where you can get prescription lenses for your mask.

Fins

Your fins should fit your feet as well as a good pair of shoes.  When trying them on be sure to wear the booties that you will be wearing when you dive.  Do not settle on fins that are too small or too big.  Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra to get a pair that well fit your needs.  Discuss the pros and cons of the fins you are trying on with the dive shop staff.

Snorkel

There are several types and designs available, but the function of a snorkel is to allow you to breathe easily at the surface without raising your head from the water.  Test fit your snorkel to your mask to be sure that it feels comfortable when you are wearing them together.

Additional Equipment

The additional equipment that you decide to buy well vary depending on your wallet and what you believe you need next but a good compass and underwater watch should be considered since dive shops usually do not rent these and they are important to have when you are diving.

Watch and/or Dive Computer

A watch will provide you with an accurate dive time and the important factor is that the bezel, used to set your start time moves only counter clockwise to ensure that you dive time is tracked accurately.  While a watch is cheaper than a computer, a computer is extremely accurate and will track your dive times.  It will provide you with profiles of your dives and warn you if you have not taken enough time between dives.

Compass

There are a couple styles of compasses you can buy.

  One that attaches to your wrist or is enclosed with your dive gauges.  Both work well and it will depend on which one you feel the most comfortable with that should determine your choice.

Wet Suit

Next, you will want to consider a wet suit that fits you.  Water conducts heat very efficiently.  Depending on where you plan on diving you want ether a wet suit, semi-dry suit, or full dry suit.  Wet suits are used in warmer waters, while dry suits are used in colder waters.  The suits come in men’s and women’s sizes.  There are one piece, shorties, farmer john’s, two piece and tailored suits.  It is best for you to try on the suit to find the one that best fits your needs.  You well discover that like cloths wet suits vary by manufacture.

After choosing your wet suit, you may want to consider buying a regulator and/or BC (buoyancy compensator) vest.

Regulator and BC (buoyancy compensator)

Your dive instructor well be an excellent resource for advice on these two items.  Regulators are expensive and an extremely important piece of equipment.  It should have a gauge and second mouthpiece known as an octopus.  Do not go cheap on your regulator. 

BC’s vary in how their buoyancy.  BC’s are essential for giving you the neutral buoyancy that you well need when diving..  When you are choosing a BC be sure that it fits you comfortably when inflated and deflated.  Just like wet suits they vary by manufactures so be sure to try them on.  If you can, attach a full dive tank, similar to the type your usually wear, to the BC so you can get the real feel of the fit.  Since your tank will be attached when you’re diving you will want to be sure you are comfortable with the fit.

Weight Belts

Weight belts are also important since they help you maintain your buoyancy.  You will find two types that most divers use.  They are the lead weights that are attached to a 2” belt and have clips to keep the weights in place or the shot weight belts that use shot (used in shotgun shells) placed in packs that are placed in pockets on the belt.  It is best to try both to determine which are most comfortable for you.  Many people use weights when they are snorkeling.

Other accessories divers like to have are an underwater light, it is good to have a small new that can be attached to your BC and a larger one for night dives.  A surface marker-buoy (SMB), and a knife are also helpful.  The more diving experience you have, the more you will know what type of equipment you well want.