Scuba Diving
I’ve spent hundreds of hours with my head under the water. Sometimes at 60 feet (18 meters), other times at 130 feet (40 meters) and the feeling of wonder it invokes inside of you is always the same. It’s unfortunate that you’re limited by the amount of air in your tank (or whatever blend your running) because every diver can agree, you always wish you had more time!
One of the great things about scuba diving is you really don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time in the water. You can rent most of your gear from your local dive center if you opt to do it on a small budget. What’s even better is that for many people, you don’t even need to leave your local area to go diving! You can dive the ocean, lakes, rivers, quarries, caves, caverns, and even old mines! Anywhere there is any kind of body of water. It might be cold, dark (bring a light), and maybe even a little scary but, believe me, you can dive it.
What you will find here are the essentials that every good diver should either have in their gear collection, or be renting. I’ve also included gear that is just nice to have and make your dive more enjoyable. Keep in mind that there are all different types of diving (reef diving, drift diving, deep diving, shipwreck diving, etc.) so your going to want to tailor your dive gear to the type of dive you are going to be doing. And remember, Eat, Sleep, Dive!
The Essentials
- Logbook (Part of the fun of diving is tracking it. Plus, if you ever want to add to your certifications you need to show proof of your total number of dives)
- Mares Prestige SLS Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) (If your going to spend any money on your own BCD, make sure its a good quality one; Mares is a European brand and they are fabulous. Don’t buy it online unless you have experience with them. This BCD folds and was the only one I could find that would fit my small frame properly)
- First Stage (I have the Mares Navy Abyss II First Stage but, you don’t have to get that crazy. I bought it with the intent of doing ice diving one day)
- Second Stage – Regulator (I have the Mares Navy Abyss II Second Stage but, again, you don’t have to get this crazy. This model is meant for extreme conditions underwater)
- Mares MV Octopus [Amazon] (This is a secondary air supply in the event your primary regulator stops working, or you need to give your dive buddy air)
- Compass [Amazon] (A lot of dive computers have this integrated into the gear but, it’s easier to have one on your wrist if you’re doing any hardcore underwater navigation)
- Dive Gauges (You can rent this from your dive center if you don’t have a digital dive computer. This should be part of the rig your renting anyways if you opt to go that route)
- Dive Computer (If you want an upgrade from the gauges. You can get one that threads directly into the first stage, or one that you wear like a watch)
- Scuba Tank (Unless you dive all the time, just rent a tank)
- Dive Weights (I would rent these unless you dive all the time, it’s usually only a few dollars)
- Small Dive Knife (Great for cutting fishing line or kelp beds if your on the west coast…not for sharks)
- Flashlight (Make sure you get a waterproof light. It can’t just be any light you picked up from the Walmart shelf. Try to get a bright color such as yellow and always go with plastic if you can; the metal ones can rust over time and they are heavier)
- Dive Flag [Amazon] (I would highly recommend having one at all times; if your with a Divemaster, he/she should have it. This is how people on the surface know where you are)
- Mares 3mm Wetsuit ( I have an older version that zips up the back. 3mm is good for temps in the high 60s-70s [for me anyways] I wouldn’t take it in anything lower than 68F unless you want to turn into a popsicle half way through your dive)
- ScubaPro 0.5mm Wetsuit [Amazon] (This is great for warm water, especially in the Caribbean)
- Mask (I would get a decent quality mask; don’t skimp on this and make sure it’s the right size for your face. It stinks when your strap breaks at 80ft)
- Snorkel (You can use a regular old snorkel for this)
- Gloves (When I’m in the Caribbean I wear them; fire coral isn’t any fun. But, I usually don’t wear any unless its REALY cold. And then they barely work anyways)
- Boots (The size will depend on your own foot of course and your fins. You’re better off buying these)
- Viper 2 Fins Open Heel (I prefer the open heel but, you can get a closed heel version. Oh, and they are called fins…not flippers)
Dive Accessories
Ask any diver and every single one of them will start naming off their favorite accessories; we can never have just one favorite of course! A diver’s accessories are (arguably) also essential items as well and add so much more to the dive experience.
- Reef Hook [Amazon] (I’ve put this one first because it is REQUIRED for many dive centers if you are doing a drift dive; I wouldn’t really say that its part of your basic essential gear though. Get a good quality one, this could mean your life if you get caught in a bad current. Plus, you can use it to bang on your tank to get another divers attention)
- Aluminum pointer [Amazon] (You can fight a lobster with these; they are loads of fun!)
- GoPro Hero Scuba Bundle (You wont be disappointed)
- Reel Gear Keeper [Amazon] (Works great at keeping your gear secured to your BCD)
- Multi-tool (Things do come loose)
- DIN to Yoke Adapter (Most dive boats have this but, it’s nice to have one of your own)
- Dry Bag (A must if your going to be on a boat all day)
- GPS Locator (I keep my Spot attached to my dry bag; it’s not rated to some of the depths I dive to)
- Baby Shampoo (Diver hack; works better than mask defog and spit)
- Mask Defog (If you prefer but its more expensive than baby shampoo)
- O-ring kit (I’ve had to replace my O-rings on the fly plenty of times. The dive boats don’t always have them handy)
- Whistle (This really should be attached to you at all times; mine came with my BCD)
- First-Aid Kit (Your more likely to stub your toe or get a bister before you’re attacked by a shark)