SCUBA equipment?
Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at
12:25 pm
I’m am looking into getting certified for SCUBA diving. What is the Equipment I need? Please specify.
I would go ahead and buy a mask, snorkel and fins. The rest I would rent until I found out if I liked the sport. Nothing quite like spending 1500 dollars on gear and then turning around 2 months later and getting 500 bucks for it if your lucky! Your instructor, and usually the dive shop will fill you in on details of gear needed. Follow directions and remember. Never, ever, ever hold your breath.
Most classes will require the following before class starts:
–Mask
–Fins (plus boots)
–Snorkle
During class, you should have use of the other equipment that you’ll need to dive. Some places may make you rent it from them for the class. This equipment includes:
–Wetsuit
–BCD (buoyancy compensation device)
–Tank
–Regulator (the entire assembly)
–Weight belt and weights
Optional items (not really needed for class):
–Dive computer
–Lights
–Knife or EMT shears
–Hood
–Gloves
References :
It depends on the shop/instructor you choose. Some will rent you everything you need, others may expect you to provide your own equipment, or to rent it somewhere else.
You’ll have plenty of time and I’m sure the instructor will recommend various equipment during the class, but if you want to start becoming familiar with the sport, you could begin by free-diving – all you need for that are mask, snorkel and fins. Add a BC vest to that if you’ll be diving in the ocean, particularly if there are rip currents or other rough conditions. If the water is cold, you’ll probably want a wet suit too.
References :
Some provide all gear except the swimsuit. Most do not. Check with the shop you are taking the class from — it really does vary.
Here is what is more typical:
a) Mask — fit is what matter the most. I would always buy this in person — ideally with someone who is good at mask fitting (see link below).
b) Snorkel — Avoid the super cheap ones (too narrow) but you also don’t need super expensive.
c) Fins. In many locations, this would be open heeled fins with booties. If you get booties, get ones with a sole appropriate for where you will dive (i.e., I like soles that are more like a tennis shoe) as well as think enough for where you dive.
d) Some simple class supplies such as the book, etc.
Fairly often, you also might need to buy:
e) gloves
f) mouthpiece for regulator
Typically covered by the class (although sometimes you need to rent for the openwater class)
g) Exposure suit (typically, a wetsuit). Also a hood (for cold water) and, perhaps, gloves.
h) Bouyancy Compensator (or BC)
i) Regulator. This should include one first stage and two second stages (a primary and a secondary — sometimes called an octo, octopus or safe second)
j) Weight belt (unless the BC is weight integrated) and weights.
k) Gauges — this can be a dive computer or a depth guage, air pressure gauge and dive timer.
l) Other safety equipment is a good idea — safety sausage, storm whistle, emt shears, etc.
m) Tank
Additional equipment can be useful/needed depending on the type of diving. For example, compass, pony bottle, drysuits, lift bag, knife, dive computers, etc.
Here is what I would do:
a) Compare the classes offered. How experienced is the instructor? What is the staffing ratio? Do they offer a major certification (i.e., PADI, NAUI, etc.)? How much pool time? How many dives? Do they allow make ups? Do you like them?
b) Compare costs. Start by figuring out all non-equipment costs. Be sure to get an apples to apples comparison.
Here is what that should contain: class fees, any pool fees, any certification fees, taxes, instructional materials, boat dive costs, dive planners and any rental charges for the open water dives.
On the equipment side, compare the cost of new equipment you would need to purchase. Do they require you to purchase it there? Do they offer any student discounts? How about any rental or purchase discounts after you are certified?
Most places are pretty clear about lying it out when you ask something like, what are all of the costs and what do I need to buy? (Sometimes what appears to be a cheaper class fee may not be when other fees are included).
It is a great sport BTW…
References :
http://www.caribinn.com/maskfitting.html
I would go ahead and buy a mask, snorkel and fins. The rest I would rent until I found out if I liked the sport. Nothing quite like spending 1500 dollars on gear and then turning around 2 months later and getting 500 bucks for it if your lucky! Your instructor, and usually the dive shop will fill you in on details of gear needed. Follow directions and remember. Never, ever, ever hold your breath.
References :