Diving Gear Basics

Most people choose to hire diving equipment when they head out under the water for the first time because it is a huge investment to purchase your own.  However, for those who want to understand what they will need once they get to a dive centre here are a few of the bare essentials for simple dives.  Keep in mind that as you progress and become a better diver there are a few more devices that you will need such as a SMB and a computer for diving in deep locations.

For starters, you will need to purchase a wet suit, dry suit, semi- wet suit, or a shortie in order to dive.  Each of these items is simply a specially designed piece of swimwear that is meant to help you regulate your body temperature so that you are comfortable and safe while under the water.  For colder temperatures you should wear a wetsuit while warm temperatures require a shortie.  Moderate to mild temperatures require either a dry suit or a semi wet/dry suit.

Second of all, you will need a tank and hoses so that you can breathe while under the water.  For the most part you may be required to purchase a mouthpiece separately since you will be breathing from the oxygen tank, but most people, even experienced divers, hire a tank as oxygen is flammable and needs to be refilled after each dive.  It is simply much easier to rent a hose and tank system especially when flying when the weight can be extremely expensive to check-in.

The next items that you will need that you can hire or purchase is a mask and fins.  These are smaller items in cost and size and therefore it is reasonable to purchase your own if you plan on diving on a regular basis.  Fins and masks come in all types of sizes and colours so this is the one area where you can accessorize your scuba gear and have a little fun if you wish to do so.

Finally, you will need a weight belt in order to reach depths that are far enough down to see a larger portion of aquatic life.  Weights help you float down in the water and keep you stable in the face of a current.  The amount of weight that you will need depends on the amount of salt in the water due to buoyancy issues and your normal weight.  Thus, it is easier to hire a weight belt because you can be specifically fitted for the area that you plan to dive in.