If you are on the fence about if or how to buy scuba diving equipment, this article is for you. Many new divers tend to dip one toe in the diving pool and can’t decide whether to jump in or stay topside. Dive shops will advise you to buy, and you may be thinking they have an ulterior motive – to sell you the most expensive thing possible and make money off of you. Perhaps that may be true in some cases, but I’ve found it to be more of an exception than the rule.
You see, most employees in a dive shop are divers. They understand the importance of having quality equipment. They know it’s important to have gear available, properly serviced and ready for you when you want to use it. They know the risks of ill-maintained equipment and rental gear from other areas of the world. They also know that diving is fun, and they want you to enjoy it as well. Buying scuba diving equipment isn’t just something they want you to do, it’s something that they do.
But I Don’t Have the Money
That’s ok! No one said you must buy scuba diving equipment all at once. As any diver in any shop will tell you, it takes time to attain all the pieces of equipment you may want or need. And as time passes and your log book fills, you gain experience. You then may find you have a better idea of the type of equipment that you really like and want. You’ll understand the type of BCD that fits you well, the way you prefer your regulator to breathe or feel, and you may discover the other accessories you might need to do the type of diving that you want to do.
Start Small
If you are just getting into diving, start with the basics.
Phase I
- Mask
You’re going to need a mask that fits your face. Rental gear is much harder to match to your specific face shape, head size and personal preference. If you by nothing more than a mask on your first time out, you’ve done well. Your mask can travel with you on dives, in the pool, through your Open Water Certification and beyond, and should you decide that diving isn’t for you some day down the road, you can always use it for snorkeling. - Snorkel
For Open Water, you must have a snorkel. Choose a snorkel and save yourself the trouble of varying rental snorkels with dozens of mouths on them over time. Each snorkel fits differently and works differently, so get one that fits with your mask, head and comfort level. Again, you can use this in the future as well, so it’s a fairly inexpensive piece of equipment that you can use outside of diving. - Fins
Fins and booties are the next thing you may want to buy. Rental booties are not always comfortable and the shop may not always have your size. Same with fins – fins that pull on your metatarsals, poke the ends of your toes and rub on your heels get to be quite uncomfortable over time and can make your diving/snorkeling experience miserable. Keep in mind that stressful situations with diving begin with your own personal comfort. Set yourself up the best you can with comfortable equipment before you start diving.
Phase II
- Wetsuit
After some time has passed and you decide that you like scuba diving, consider buying your own wetsuit. Like any clothing, wetsuits are designed to fit you, your comfort level and body. If you’ve passed your Open Water certification and have talked with a few instructors, fellow students or dive cons, you might have some ideas of where you might like to dive and how warm you think you might need to be. Choose a wetsuit ideal to your comfort level – from putting it on, to taking it off. The suit must fit, keep you properly warm and feel good. Again, comfort is key! - Dive Computer
You’ve committed to diving, you like it. Now it’s time to buy your own dive computer and log all those dives you’re going to be doing. Having a computer that you know and understand will help you as you grow in your diving. If you think you might like to try Nitrox one day, consider a computer that can handle it. By now, you may have determined that you prefer a wrist computer over a console computer. If so, now is a great time to buy. BUT, if you prefer a console, consider purchasing your regulator at the same time.
Phase III
- Air Delivery System
Your first stage and second stages are typically purchased together. Now is a great time to get them and have everything set up the way you like. Consider you may like to have an Octopus now, but if not, be sure your setup allows for the future should you decide to add one. You may opt for an Air2 instead once you purchase a BCD. You don’t have to make any decisions on your Octopus now, but consider the future, and give yourself options if you want them. - BCD
Getting a BCD is a great way to complete your comfort level in diving. Having a BCD that fits properly and has the type of weight support you like (integrated, or room allowing for a weight belt) is freeing once you own your own equipment. You and your buddy can each get to know your equipment, which allows for consistency in setting up your equipment each time you dive. With more more renting, you may leave your whistle, safety sausage, hose clips, accessory clips, etc. on your own BCD when diving, so you always have it with you.
In Summary
Owning your own equipment may seem like a large mountain to climb when you first start scuba diving. However, your investment in your own equipment is an investment in yourself and your safety as well. Knowing that you have your own gear, that it’s been properly maintained, that it’s been cared for, is of the utmost importance to your health, safety and mental well-being. Consider also, that if you maintain your systems, they will last. Well maintained equipment may stay trustworthy for hundreds of dives, dozens of years and will last. You may find your dive equipment lasts longer than the car you drive.
Equipment is an investment, so take your time, do your research and don’t rush into any decisions if you don’t have to.
Now, go diving!
