Basic Scuba Gear?
been wanting to try scuba diving for years, but i don’t have any idea what gear i should have. is there any specific gear i should have for tropical waters like in the Philippines? and if you have any helpfull scuba tips for first timers like me. thanks!
If you want to try out SCUBA diving, you can do that inexpensively at a dive shop by signing up for a "Discover SCUBA" class. The shop will provide all of the equipment, some training, and supervision so you can see if you like diving. Then, if you sign up for an Open Water class, many shops will credit some or all of the Discover SCUBA cost toward your OW class fee.
Don’t buy your own equipment until you need to. When you sign up for class, you will be required to purchase your own mask, fins, and snorkel.
I recommend using rental gear for a little while after you first become certified. That way you can try out different styles of BCs, wet suits, and instruments to see what you actually like in the water before you plunk down a chunk of money on your own gear.
You should go and get lessons first to see if you like the sport: some people discover that they don’t like it (claustrophobia, etc) once they’ve actually tried it. All you might wish to buy initially would be a mask, fins and snorkel. You ought to be able to borrow other equipment (cylinder, backpack/buoyancy device, weights, demand valve, wetsuit, etc) from whoever teaches you. You can buy these expensive items later once you’ve decided you want to continue.
It’s a dangerous sport, so you need to know what you are doing. Don’t just go out on your own. Safety is paramount.
But enjoy it!
References :
Qualified scuba diver since 1988.
bcd
mask
regulator
fins
cylinder
weight belts
– i think those are few basic equipment in scuba diving.
uuhh well i guess you don’t necessarily need wet suit since philippines is a tropical place, so you won’t get freeezy. also it depends on the weather.
References :
I just posted this (below) on a similar question so I’ll use it again. But add the following.
You ask for tips: Enjoy it, be careful and listen to your instructor. Most local dive shops will run a FREE "discover scuba" course so you can see if it something you like.
If you like it you’ll be able to explore the 70% of the earth that 99% of the population can’t. There is much to see.
– – –
I am a manufacturers rep for the dive industry so my recommendations may seemed biased until you realize if I wasn’t repping for the company(s) I would still buy and recommend their gear.
The best advice I can give on gear is:
DON’T buy a jacket style BCD. If you are just beginning you may have to make the same investment again if you ever decide to advance your diving to wreck diving, deco diving, cave diving, tec diving in general…many do.
I made the mistake of buying a $675 jacket style BC then as my experience level increased, it was of no use for me and had to reinvest in gear.
Dive Rite is outstanding gear.
The website (www.diverite.com) says it’s gear for wreck, cave, tec but I can’t tell you how many people are buying the Dive Rite Transpac simply because it is easier to dive and trim in the water, there is no bulk in front allowing freedom of movement.
It is also modular in design meaning if you start diving with a single aluminum 80, but someday dive double 130 steel tanks, you can use the same BC vs buying a whole new system. The gear is also made and manufactured here in the US unlike *most* other manufacturers.
For other stuff (fins, masks, etc) go with fit, comfort and even style. I prefer "low volume" masks and NON split fins.
Also stay away from gimmicky fins like the ones that have a "hinge" so you can walk in them to the dive site.
For regulators, depending on where you live and will dive, I’d recommend an "ice ready" reg. Not that you may ever dive in frigid waters but if you dive anywhere where water is colder at depth (thermocline) some non-ice regs will still tend to free flow from tempertaure changes. Better safe than sorry.
Invest in your gear. It doesn’t have to cost a lot, but don’t buy the cheapest on the market just to get in the water. This is life sustaining and life saving gear we’re talking about here.
Here are my name brand preferences:
Dive Rite: BCs, masks, drysuits, lighting, regulators
Seadive/Oceanways: good masks, fins, snorkels
Xcel: Wetsuits, boots, hoods
Faber: Steel tanks
Catalina: Aluminum Tanks
Lastly
DONT buy on the web!
The dive industry is going through some tough times right now. They are the ones who should earn your business as they are teaching you to dive. Dive shops hate it when they give students great deals on classes, only to have the same students buy gear online. Support your local dive shops. Classes are cheap because it’s implied you will buy the gear from them when you are ready. In addition online purchases often dont come with a warranty.
~Rick
References :
If you want to try out SCUBA diving, you can do that inexpensively at a dive shop by signing up for a "Discover SCUBA" class. The shop will provide all of the equipment, some training, and supervision so you can see if you like diving. Then, if you sign up for an Open Water class, many shops will credit some or all of the Discover SCUBA cost toward your OW class fee.
Don’t buy your own equipment until you need to. When you sign up for class, you will be required to purchase your own mask, fins, and snorkel.
I recommend using rental gear for a little while after you first become certified. That way you can try out different styles of BCs, wet suits, and instruments to see what you actually like in the water before you plunk down a chunk of money on your own gear.
References :