You are reading this article so, like so many others, you have become intrigued by the wonderful world of open water diving.
The world of diving can seem too complex at first. This is usually due to the wide range of essential and non-essential equipment available that makes this hobby seem so daunting…never mind the fact that you will end up underwater!
For these reasons, I have written this article to provide you with the equipment knowledge to confidently start those diving lessons.
Ok, so let’s talk about the team;
Masks: The diving mask allows your eyes to see clearly underwater. Diving masks can start as low as $20 and go up to $1,000 for those with built-in communication systems. As a beginner, a cheap one will be more than adequate.
Scuba Exposure Suit – Protects from cuts and scrapes and retains heat to keep you comfortable. Diving suits are essentially thicker wetsuits to offer protection from the cold underwater. Full exposure suits start around $60 and can go up to a few hundred dollars depending on thickness and brand.
Snorkel – Allows you to breathe at the surface with your face in the water without wasting air from your scuba unit. These are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased for as little as $15. For a few dollars more, you can get sets that include the skin as well.
Scuba Tanks – These are the heart of your rig, SCUBA (short for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) allows you to breathe underwater and rise, descend, float or hover at will. It consists of a regulator, tank, buoyancy control device, harness, and instruments. These individual items listed are available as sets or individually with prices varying based on tank size, brand, etc.
Diving watches: These are simply watches used to measure dive time. Many watches available in general stores can be used for this purpose, as long as they have the diving dial around the outer face and of course they are waterproof! These watches can start as low as $50 and go up to a few thousand dollars, depending on the depth of water resistance and the brand.
Dive Computer: Monitors your depth and time underwater to keep you within set air supply limits. Dive computers can come in the form of instruments that look like gauges or, more conveniently, in the form of a watch. They usually start from around $150 and can go up to a few thousand depending on the depth of resistance and the brand.
Weight and Belt System: Compensates for your tendency to float so you can gently descend underwater whenever you want. They normally consist of a belt designed to hold specially designed lead weights. Both belts and weights can be found from as little as $10.
Fins – Allow him to swim using only the powerful muscles of his legs. Fantastic for allowing easy movement through the water, fins start as low as $20 and can go up to a couple of hundred depending on the design and brand. As a beginner, the cheaper ones are perfect.
Diving lights: used to observe cracks and crevices, and for night diving. These can be in the form of a flashlight or spotlight, depending on whether you will be holding them or whether they will be attached to the bottom of a boat. These will start from around $25.
Diving knife – a useful tool and an important safety device. These start at around $10. Good to have in case you get stuck on something.
Dive/Float Flag – Keeps boaters away from where you’re diving and acts as a marker. It can be found from $15.
Underwater HD Camera: Used to take photos and videos of your adventures to share with your family and friends. The most popular of these is the Go Pro Hero 2, a fantastic camera for imaging and recording your deep sea adventures. These are available from a couple of hundred dollars. Snorkeling gear is good to have, but not essential.
Accessories such as underwater boards, lanyards, and other items make diving more fun.
Signaling devices: whistle, signal tube to attract the attention of other divers or the dive boat from a distance.
Scuba Gear Bag – Used to carry your scuba gear to the dive site…really obvious!
Now that you know the equipment available, start those diving lessons!
