Choosing Scuba Gear
As a Scuba Diving Instructor, I get a lot of questions regarding scuba gear; what I feel more comfortable wearing, what’s most important getting first when you start your diving journey, which items are worth purchasing, which brands do I fancy more, and so on.
Whether you happen to be a well-seasoned scuba diver who has not committed to buying your own dive kit or you’ve just achieved your Open Water certification, the following guidelines will hopefully help you get started on purchasing your favorite dive items so you can get in the water feeling confident that you will enjoy your diving experience to the fullest possible.
First, you should think about how often you can dive and if it will be worth spending thousands of dollars on getting the fanciest top notch diving gear all at once, or should you start by getting your mask and snorkel set, especially if you’re new to the sport. Nobody wants to invest that much in gear for it to end up in your garage, so you should be strategic with that.
Secondly, I would think about the environment I enjoy diving the most. I might need extra exposure protection if I often dive in a quarry where temperatures sit around 70°F, whereas if I only dive once a week in the Bahamas, I might not need an exposure suit at all.
After answering the questions above, I would think of my personal objective(s) with the activity. Do I just want to have an extra leisure activity when on holiday and maybe do it once a year? Or do I want to specifically plan my vacation where I know I can go diving and maybe get some extra training? Do I see myself eventually becoming a dive professional? Does tech diving appeal to me?
Your answers will translate on how much you will invest, which will impact the quality of your gear and how long it will last.
Luggage is also a thing when it comes to traveling and diving. If your preference lies on the side of convenience, being lightweight, etc. you might just want to get some bits and pieces which will make you dive comfortably, such as your mask and snorkel, dive computer and maybe a thin wetsuit (whichever you need for your dive location).
Whereas if you rather just use your own gear, save some money on rental gear and be sure your gear suits you, then you might want to be fully equipped.
Having said that, I always recommend buying your own mask first. It can become a distraction factor and end up ruining your dive if you must keep clearing it as it doesn’t fit your features properly. In terms of what you should consider when purchasing a dive mask here is the following:
- Proper fit, a mask that fits well is crucial. Test it on your face before buying to ensure a good seal.
- Skirt material, I’d be looking at soft yet durable silicones that won’t feel harsh on my skin.
- Glass material, it should be tempered glass so we can prepare it to prevent it from fogging up (burning it). There’s also UV lenses, which look very cool but won’t allow you to burn them and will also prevent other divers from guessing how you’re feeling during a dive, making communication rather difficult.
- Low profile, which means there’s less dead air space between your face and your mask, preventing you from having to equalize your mask too much.
- Styles, which could be a mono-lens or a mask with two separate glasses. Personally, I like the first one, but it’s just a matter of choice.
- Clear or dark skirts, the first one will allow light to enter your mask, whereas the latter one will help focus your vision.
- Colors, which will make you unique and make your buddy recognize you easily when underwater.
My second piece of gear to recommend is a diving computer. There are hundreds of models in the market, and it would be hard to choose one. But it will depend on the type of diving you are willing to do. You might start using a recreational dive computer which cannot be used as a smartwatch or for any other purposes, these sit around $100-$200 USD, they’re very low maintenance and you can usually replace batteries on your own. If you’re looking into getting something multifunctional since you enjoy fitness activities, you might want to choose a smartwatch that’s also a diving computer. Because they’re multipurpose, they’re rather expensive.
My last recommendation before getting into buying a Buoyancy Compensator, regulator, etc. is to acquire your own exposure suit. A well-fitting suit tailored to your diving environment will greatly enhance comfort and thermal protection. Remember to consider the type of suit (wetsuit vs. drysuit) based on water temperature and personal comfort. Also, have you heard of the mammalian diving reflex? We all experience it!
What’s your go-to gear, and have you had any memorable experiences with a particular piece of equipment?
Written by : Cecilia Pereyra
