What equipment do I need to start scuba diving?

4 Comments

1. Lauren says:

   February 7, 2012 at 7:10 am

   Probably a scuba and a dive.
   References :
   http://www.mybrainrocks.com

2. micheal says:

   February 7, 2012 at 7:21 am

   Any reputable brand.

   Start with a mask, snorkel and fins, total, around $150 The rest you can rent.
   BCD around $500
   Octo and Regulator, around $500
   Wetsuit $250 and up (depending on thickness)
   Weights $2/lb.(I needed 40lbs)
   Knife $40+

   Then there are more things like:
   Tanks $400+
   Drysuit $1000+
   Drysuit underwear $500+
   Computer $400+
   …. The list goes on and on.
   References :
   I have been diving for 3 years, have spent over $5000, and still am not done getting everything.

3. tjs282 says:

   February 7, 2012 at 8:08 am

   Even a newly-minted diver would already have at least some idea of what gear they need to go scuba diving (there’s a list of basic equipment in every entry-level course manual, for a start!). So when I see questions like this on Y!A, it always makes me wonder if the Asker is actually certified.

   If you are not, then a diving C-card is the first piece of ‘equipment’ you need to get. A basic scuba course will not only teach you about all the essential gear required for scuba, but also how to use it properly, and plan dives safely, so you don’t accidentally injure/kill yourself through ignorance. Your course instructor will also be able to advise you on suitability of equipment types for diving in your area (e.g. what kind of suit you might need, whether your regulator should be environmentally sealed, whether you’re legally required to tow a marker buoy, etc.).

   Without knowing where you intend to dive, what you plan to do while diving, or how much you have available to spend, no-one here will be able to give you more specific recommendations than what Micheal has already posted.

   After you’ve done your course, start by getting the basics — masks, fins (I would recommend an open-heel design if you’ll be diving in temperate/cool water, and/or making shore-based dives), snorkel, and booties (most non-resort dive schools recommend/require you to buy these for the course, since these are ‘personal’). The next thing would be a suit, if the local dive centre’s rental suits don’t fit you comfortably or keep you warm enough (personal fit and comfort are the two most important factors to take into account when selecting scuba gear — another reason why subjective recommendations are of little help).

   Rent the rest of the gear (BC, reg, tank, weights, computer) for your first 10-20 dives, which will give you more of a chance to try several different brands and see what you like, more time to do background reading (e.g. kit reviews in the dive literature) — and also time to gain a better idea of what you like doing underwater, and hence what kind of gear might suit you (e.g. basic dive-timer/-computer or nitrox-compatible? Weightbelt or weight-integrated? Jacket-style or wing BC? Steel or aluminium cylinder?).

   Being life-support equipment, all scuba gear ‘works’ as advertised, and no one brand is inherently ‘better’ or more reliable than any other (a scuba manufacturer which killed most of its customers would not stay in business very long!). Any specific recommendations will thus likely be purely subjective — every diver has their own favourites, but what suits me best might not suit you (and vice versa). e.g. Many people like Scubapro BCDs, but I’ve hated every one I’ve tried, and I wasn’t too impressed with Aqua-Lung’s BC offerings either, although their regs and suits are OK — for me.

   Also, very few divers have had a chance to dive every piece of gear in the world, so their opinions will necessarily be restricted to what they’ve used. The exceptions are dive journalists — I would recommend you look up John Bantin’s kit reviews for DIVER magazine (http://www.divernet.com/ ). Although this mag tends to be geared towards the UK/European/Red Sea market, they do a lot of useful reviews, including regular ‘head-to-head’ features for e.g. cameras, torches, computers, and regulators. They are not sponsored by any one agency, so are as close to an unbiased opinion as you might hope to find.

   Since no-one else will be doing your dives for you, no-one else should be deciding what you should be using. That’s up to you.

   Feel free to email me through Y!A if you have any specific questions. All the best.
   References :
   Former full-time scuba instructor (PADI # 609394)

4. Leafy says:

   February 7, 2012 at 8:14 am

   Really depends on where you’re taking classes. I’d get with the local dive shop and see what the people there recommend/require for your class.

   My class required a pair of fins, a snorkel, a mask, a weight belt, weights, and booties. I also bought a wetsuit.

   Mask – $70
   Fins – $70
   Boots – $80
   Suit – $160
   Weight belt – $10
   Weights – $50

   I did buy better quality booties than required and probably bought too much weight as well. You WILL have to buy scuba-quality things; nothing pisses instructors off more than cheap gear, apparently 😛 At the very least, don’t skimp on the mask and fins. A snorkel is a snorkel is a snorkel; you totally get permission to buy that from Academy rather than the $30 ones the stores stock.

   Other equipment (your buoyancy compensator, regulator assembly, tank, etc) could be deferred to a later purchase date.

   Good luck and happy swimming 😀

   -A diver-in-training as well
   References :