Scuba Gear: Which One To Buy First

By Amillson On July 15, 2009 Under Diving Equipment

Like in any other activities you want to get involve in, you’d prefer to use your own equipments for that particular purpose. To meet that “requirement”, so that you can immerse yourself to the fullest in your hobby or passion, it is NOT necessary to invest in all of the gears all at once. Which one to buy first?

My previous article titled “Own Vs Rental: Diving Equipments” outlined some of the facts that you may want to consider before purchasing you new sets of scuba diving gears. So, if now you’ve decided NOT to buy the whole set in one go – for reasons best kept to yourself – then we are looking at some prioritizing here. Again, which one to buy first?

It is important to understand that what ever is presented here – the rest of the post – is not a standard guideline when buying your own equipment: that is one piece at a time. This article is based on my years of involvement in scuba diving and through the common consensus from other divers.

So, here we go, in order of priority:

Mask & Snorkel: Clear vision for a good dive…
You need a mask that fits you. One that you are used to. And you really need your own especially if you are using a powered/corrective lens. A good mask will give the ease of mind when you can see clearly during the entire dive. A snorkel is standard equipment that should be worn and attached to your mask at all time (for surface swimming). Remember: get a mask designed for underwater use, aka diving mask.

Fins: to swim like a fish ><)));>
Combine fins with the items above and you are good to go on snorkelling trip. This combination is most probably the most basic piece of gears you should get first because of their dual functionality and practicality – for snorkelling and scuba diving. Again, get those suitable for surface and underwater swimming.
Two types of fins: open heel and full-foot fins.

Wet/Dry Suit: Perfect body fit is important here!
You are best protected when using you own suit. Perfect fits keep you warm (water temperature) and safe (against cut or stinging jelly) while diving.
It also means avoiding those rental suits that has seen many divers. You don’t know what ever “left over” the last diver put in those rental suits.

Timer: keep track of time and depth
There are many two-in-one (watch + dive computer) timers in the market. Many divers prefer to buy this kind of dive watch, which has the full dive computer functions. Of course you can opt to get those timers specially designed for underwater use only.
Due to their dual function, elegant and compact design, this wrist dive computer can also be worn to work, parties, tracking, water rafting, cinema, fishing etc and certainly with you on your next diving vacation.

Accessories: lets see the one you need the most…
There are a few items considered as accessories depending on where you are diving:
a) Boots: Open heel fins will require boots and when doing cold water diving. Well, unless you are one of those “macho” divers that live to tell the tale.
Boots is considered as an accessory in tropical water diving because full-foot fins works perfectly in that kind of environment. Many divers, though, still prefer to use open heel fins and therefore they need to wear boots.
b) Gloves: The same applies to gloves when diving in cold water: you need one. Some tropical resorts deny the use of any diving gloves due to “Reef Protection Policies”: to avoid divers from touching corals.
c) Hood: A must for cold water diving but not necessary for warm water diving. But many divers, especially dive guides (Divemasters) prefer to wear a hood on every dive to maintain body temperature and to avoid contact with nasty jellyfishes. Its not really needed in warm water.
These are the accessories you need first. There are many more accessories and gadgets you can buy. Only if you need them or rather… want them.

BCD: Buoyancy Control Device, aka Jacket
There are many BCD designs, styles and colours to choose from. BCD is more expensive than the rest of the items above depending on the model you are looking at. Most BCDs are bulky to travel with thus taking up so much space inside your bag.
Buy one you are most comfortable in. Not the colour. See the number of D-rings too: to clip on your Octopus, submersible pressure gauges, dive light, camera etc.

Regulator: Ease of breathing is your top priority
There are many different types here. Starting from the really simple assembly to medium to high-end sets. High-ends are, obviously, expensive due to their materials, design and brand – yes! Brand!
Which ever it is, ease of breathing is the most important factor. For ice diving and cold water diving you might want to consider a regulator with environmental seal. Most regulators are suitable for warm water diving. Normally, a full set of regulator is more expensive compare to the price of any high-ends BCDs.

Dive Bag: To carry your dive gears around…
Of course you need a dive bag to keep all your dive gears in one place for storage and easy transportation. If travelling far, buy a heavy-duty bag to protect your expensive gears.

I hope this will help you in anyway possible. If, after going through this post, you are still uncertain and need more opinions, you may consult your friends, other experienced divers, dive guides/instructors or simply contact me by leaving your comments here or email me. Or do you have any other “order of priority” that better suit, let say, yourself?

Remember; buy those gears that you really need first. After all it is going to be your big investment, in this fun-filled sport of scuba diving, for many years to come.