Own Vs Rental: Diving Equipments

Many of my previous students asked if it is a good idea to invest in diving equipments or just rent them from the dive shops/centres (?). This “Own Vs Rental” question may sound simple but the answer may vary giving the advantages and disadvantages each scenario may present when it comes to this choosing intersection.

Long fins are personal equipment preferences.

In general, there are two groups of divers. One is those diving purely for fun and next is those making living out of diving. The second group includes dive guides/Instructors (recreational diving), researchers, and technical, commercial and military. The first group will be the one more likely to get affected by this dilemma whether to purchase own equipment or to rent. The second group will, normally, get all their diving gears provided for.

To help you make the right decision, here are a few facts that need to be considered before making that expensive decision.

COMFORT – “ranked #3 in primary requirements for any piece of scuba equipment”

OWN: When buying your own gears, you will only select the right size, shape, design and color (diving is all about colors too) that suit your taste. You will be more comfortable wearing those gears because they fit perfectly.

RENT: The range of selection is limited to what the dive shops have invested in or rather afford to invest in. The gears may fit you but chances are; and most of the time they are, either a bit smaller or just a little bit bigger especially due to limited choices. Therefore, comfort is dramatically less in this case.

INVESTMENT – “its your money on the table here”

OWN: Buying a full set of gear is a big investment. One may opt to buy piece by piece. Which ever suit you, in the long run, to invest in your own diving gear is much cheaper and economical.

RENT: If you plan to dive for a few time a year in the years to come, the money you are going to pay for all the rental gears, obviously, will be more. Do the maths. You will be surprised to discover that you end up paying more than buying your own gear.

FAMILIARITY– “you know your stuffs– well, you should”

OWN: The more you dive, the more familiar you will become with the equipment that you own. As a result, you spend more time concentrating on the dive itself. You also know when to get your equipments serviced for this matter.

RENT: Although the basic functions are the same, dive equipments are slightly different in terms of operation. Take Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) for example, the power inflator/deflator came in different features or designs and some with/without quick dump valve (that some divers are so accustomed to) etc . As a result you’ll be spending more time trying to get use to the rental gears instead of spending some “quality time” with the fishes.

EXCESS BAGGAGE – “think vacation, think…”

OWN: A complete set of diving equipment can be quite heavy, in terms of weight, when you put them all together in a dive bag. Not to mentioned your personal stuffs. It’s a concern when you are flying to diving destinations. This could be the only disadvantage to having your own complete set of gears especially on a long distance traveling.

RENT: If traveling light is your kind of style, renting the necessary equipments from the dive shops/centre will be the best option. Be sure to contact the dive shops in advance for equipment reservations – bare in mind: they have limited number of gears.

PERSONAL PREFERENCES – “Dive in your own style”

Some divers prefer certain dive equipment over standard ones that may not be readily available for rent at any dive shops. Specific equipments like corrective (powered) lens masks, long blades a.k.a. long fins, rash guards, and even dive computers, extra-features BCDs etc. This is true for high-end equipments that you may want to invest in. In this case you will have no other option but to purchase those you prefer for your own personal use.

A full set of diving gear is a considerable investment that you may want to evaluate properly. I hope that the facts presented above will give you the clear picture of the advantages and disadvantages between own gears and rental gears. Whether to dive in your own gear or rental ones. The outlined facts may not work for some divers so seek further advice and tips from friends or other divers that you will meet on your next diving trip.

Related posts:

1. Scuba Gear: Which One To Buy First
2. The Scuba Diving Roadmap: Explained